Arkansas Basketball Schedule: Complete 2025-26 Season Dates and Results

The 2025-26 Arkansas basketball schedule represented one of the most ambitious and demanding slates in the history of college athletics. Following the conclusion of the season in April 2026, a look back at the calendar reveals a gauntlet that tested the Razorbacks against elite national programs and a revamped Southeastern Conference. This comprehensive record details every matchup, from the early exhibition games in October to the high-stakes postseason games in March and April.

The Historic Foundation of the 2025-26 Campaign

The schedule for this season was uniquely structured to elevate the program's national standing. Most notably, the Razorbacks became the first team on record to schedule games against every single program that reached the NCAA Elite Eight in the previous season. This included a mix of non-conference neutral-site battles and home-and-home SEC matchups, ensuring that every month of the calendar featured at least one high-priority opponent.

Preseason Tune-ups and Exhibitions

Before the official NCAA record began, the Razorbacks utilized three key dates to integrate new talent and establish rotations. These events served both as competitive preparation and community outreach.

• October 12: Razorback Tip-Off Scrimmage – Hot Springs, Ark. (Bank OZK Arena) at 3:00 PM.
• October 24: Cincinnati (Exhibition) – Fayetteville, Ark. (Bud Walton Arena). This game was part of the CareSource Invitational, supporting mental health initiatives. (7:00 PM, SECN+).
• October 27: At Memphis (Exhibition) – Memphis, Tenn. (FedExForum). The Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic, benefiting pediatric research. (8:00 PM, ESPNU).

November: Non-Conference Launch and Chicago Showcase

The regular season officially commenced in November with a heavy emphasis on building chemistry at home, interspersed with a massive road test and a holiday classic.

The November 27 matchup against Duke in Chicago’s United Center was a centerpiece of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. It drew national attention as a potential preview of a deep March run.

December: Neutral Site Gauntlet and SEC/ACC Challenge

December shifted the focus toward neutral arenas and the annual cross-conference challenge, keeping the team in the national spotlight throughout the holiday season.

• December 3: Louisville (SEC/ACC Challenge)

  • Venue: Bud Walton Arena
  • Time: 6:00 PM CT
  • Network: ESPN
  • Significance: This marked a critical home game against a resurgent ACC opponent, providing a mid-week high-energy atmosphere in Fayetteville.

• December 6: Fresno State

  • Venue: North Little Rock (Simmons Bank Arena)
  • Time: 3:00 PM CT
  • Network: SECN+
  • Significance: The annual trip to Central Arkansas, maintaining the program's statewide connection.

• December 13: Texas Tech (RevoCruit Rematch)

  • Venue: Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)
  • Time: 11:00 AM CT
  • Network: ESPN2

• December 16: Queens

  • Venue: Bud Walton Arena
  • Time: 8:00 PM CT
  • Network: SEC Network

• December 20: Houston (Never Forget Tribute Classic)

  • Venue: Newark, NJ (Prudential Center)
  • Time: 4:30 PM CT
  • Network: CBS

• December 29: James Madison

  • Venue: Bud Walton Arena
  • Time: 7:00 PM CT
  • Network: SECN+

The 2026 SEC Conference Schedule

Southeastern Conference play began in early January, featuring an 18-game schedule that included home-and-home series with LSU, Missouri, and Auburn. The SEC schedule is widely regarded as the toughest in the nation due to the depth of the league.

January: The SEC Opening Stretch

The January 31 home game against Kentucky was one of the most sought-after tickets in Bud Walton Arena history, as the two blue-blood brands met in a primetime Saturday slot.

February: The Grind of the Season

Following a midweek bye on February 3-4, the Razorbacks entered the most physically demanding stretch of the season, including crucial road trips to Mississippi State and Alabama.

• February 7: at Mississippi State – Starkville, MS (11:00 AM, ESPN/2).
• February 10: at LSU – Baton Rouge, LA (8:00 PM, SEC Network).
• February 14: Auburn – Fayetteville, AR (7:30 PM, ESPN/2). A Valentine’s Day clash that proved pivotal for conference standings.
• February 18: at Alabama – Tuscaloosa, AL (6:00 PM, ESPN/2/U).
• February 21: Missouri – Fayetteville, AR (3:00/3:30 PM, ESPN/2).
• February 25: Texas A&M – Fayetteville, AR (8:00 PM, ESPN/2/U).
• February 28: at Florida – Gainesville, FL (7:30 PM, ESPN/2).

March: Closing the Regular Season

The regular season concluded with two high-intensity matchups, including the first conference meeting with Texas as an official SEC member.

• March 4: Texas – Fayetteville, AR (6:00 PM, ESPN/2/U).
• March 7: at Missouri – Columbia, MO (11:00 AM, ESPN/2/U).

Postseason Schedule: Nashville to the National Stage

SEC Tournament

The postseason began at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The tournament ran from March 11 to March 15, 2026. Arkansas entered the tournament seeking to improve its seeding for the NCAA Tournament, competing in a field that featured multiple Top 25 teams.

NCAA Tournament (March Madness)

The Road to the Final Four involved several potential sites based on seeding and regional placement:

• First & Second Rounds (March 19-22): Potential sites included Buffalo, NY; Greenville, SC; Oklahoma City, OK; Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; and St. Louis, MO.
• Regionals (March 26-29): Sites were Houston (South), San Jose (West), Washington, D.C. (East), and Chicago (Midwest).
• Final Four & Championship (April 4 & 6): Held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Venue Information and Fan Experience

For those attending games or following the program, understanding the primary venues was essential to the 2025-26 experience.

Bud Walton Arena

Known as the "Basketball Palace of Mid-America," Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville remains one of the most intimidating environments in college basketball. Located at 1720 Nolan Richardson Drive, the arena has a capacity of over 19,000. During the 2025-26 season, the student section (The Trough) and the general public created record-breaking decibel levels, particularly during the SEC home stretch against Tennessee, Kentucky, and Auburn.

Simmons Bank Arena

The Razorbacks continued their tradition of playing in North Little Rock, catering to the large fan base in the central and southern parts of the state. This neutral-site game is a staple of the Arkansas basketball schedule, often serving as a bridge between the non-conference and conference slates.

Broadcasting and Media Coverage

Coverage for the 2025-26 season was comprehensive, ensuring fans could follow the Razorbacks from anywhere in the world.

• Television Networks: Games were primarily broadcast on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU), the SEC Network, and CBS. Significant non-conference games against Michigan State and Duke were featured on FOX and CBS, respectively.
• Streaming: For games listed on SECN+, fans accessed the broadcast through the ESPN app. This was the primary home for early-season matchups against Central Arkansas, Samford, and Winthrop.
• Radio: The Learfield Razorback Sports Network provided radio coverage for every game. Fans tuned in via local affiliates or the official Razorback Gameday App to hear play-by-play descriptions and expert analysis.

Historical Context: The Arkansas vs. UCA Rivalry

A notable inclusion in the November schedule was the game against Central Arkansas (UCA). While the programs are in-state neighbors, they had a long hiatus in play from 1947 until 2020. The 2025 meeting was the 10th all-time meeting between the two schools. Historically, the Razorbacks have dominated this series, which dates back to the program's inaugural season in 1923-24. The inclusion of UCA in the schedule highlights the university's commitment to fostering in-state athletic relationships.

Key Statistical Comparison Trends

By the end of the regular season, the efficiency of the 2025-26 schedule was reflected in the team's metrics. Entering the SEC tournament, the Razorbacks' strength of schedule was consistently ranked in the top five nationally. The team’s performance in high-possession games—especially those against fast-paced opponents like Houston and Kentucky—defined their statistical profile for the selection committee.

• Fastbreak Scoring: A hallmark of the team's strategy, often doubling the production of non-conference opponents.
• Free Throw Efficiency: Critical in late-game SEC situations, particularly in hostile road environments like Auburn and Alabama.
• Bench Depth: The 2025-26 schedule required a deep rotation to navigate the Tuesday-Saturday turnaround during the SEC grind.

Final Thoughts on the 2025-26 Schedule

The 2025-26 Arkansas basketball schedule was a testament to the program's desire to compete at the highest level. By facing the Elite Eight from the prior year and navigating a brutal 18-game SEC calendar, the Razorbacks provided fans with a season of high-stakes drama. Whether it was the Thanksgiving clash in Chicago or the regular-season finale against Texas, every game on this schedule was designed to prepare the team for the ultimate pressure of the NCAA Tournament.