NCAA Sweet 16 Preview: Arkansas Men's Basketball vs. UConn

NCAA Sweet 16 Preview: Arkansas Men's Basketball vs. UConn
Photo Submitted

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Coming off an upset win over No. 1 Kansas, No. 8 seed Arkansas turns its attention to face the No. 4 seed UConn Huskies in the NCAA Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 23. Tipoff is set for 6:15 p.m. Central and the game will be televised on CBS.

  • Arkansas earned its 36th NCAA bid and third straight. It is the first time since 2006, '07 and '08 that the Hogs have played in three consecutive NCAA tournaments. This is just the second time Arkansas has reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in at least three straight seasons. The other time was a four-year stretch in 1996 (Sweet 16), '95 (National Runner-up), '94 (National Champion) and '93 (Sweet 16).
  • The Razorbacks own a 50-34 all-time record in NCAA action.
  • Arkansas will be looking to advance to the NCAA Elite in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history. Arkansas advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 in each of the last two years. In 2021, Arkansas lost In the Elite 8 to eventual national champion Baylor. In 2022, Arkansas upset #1 overall seed Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 before falling to Duke in the Elite 8.
  • Arkansas and UConn have met on four previous occasions. The Huskies own a 4-1 advantage in the series. However, Arkansas' lone win was the last encounter, a 102-67 victory in the 2017 Phil Knight Classic.
  • For the third straight year, Arkansas has faced a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tourney. In 2021, Arkansas lost to No. 1 seed (No. 3 ranked) Baylor in the Elite 8. In 2022, Arkansas defeated No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. In 2033, Arkansas defeated No. 1 seed (No. 4 ranked) Kansas in the second round.
  • The last program to beat No. 1 seeds in back-to-back years was Butler in 2010 and '11. Ironically, Butler, like Arkansas this year, was a No. 8 seed in 2011.
  • Arkansas had one of the tougher schedules in the country, one that included playing four teams ­­— Alabama twice, San Diego State and Creighton in Maui and at Tennessee — that have reached the Sweet 16. Oh, and for good measure, Arkansas played Texas in an exhibition game to officially open the Longhorns' new Moody Center.

Who: No. 8 seed Arkansas Razorbacks (22-13) vs. No. 4 seed UConn Huskies (27-8)
What: Arkansas, Gonzaga, UCLA and Houston are the only schools to make the Sweet 16 for the third straight year.
When: Thursday, March 23, 6:15 p.m. Central
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada — T-Mobile Arena (18,000)

 How to follow:

More Info:

 
Contacts

Elvis John Moya, associate athletics director
Athletics Community Engagement and Fan Relations
479-575-6055, ejmoya@uark.edu

Headlines

Four Students Named Goldwater Scholars; Two Earn Udall Honorable Mentions

Four U of A students have received the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, an award for top students in mathematics, science, and engineering.

Cross-Campus Collaboration Culminates in New Outdoor Geological Installation

Grand opening event to celebrate the new GeoLab installation at the U of A’s Gearhart Hall courtyard is set for May 3. The installation will be open to the public year-round.

First Students to Use Online Degree to Hone Nursing Leadership, Elevate Patient Care

Hanna Baxendale and Wendi Kimbrell will begin coursework in the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Executive Master of Business Administration program offered by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and Walton College.

Join the Office for Sustainability on a Final Cruise to Campus

Cruise to Campus Wednesdays have fostered a gathering space for individuals interested in biking to campus. Drop by the Old Main Lawn from 7:30-10 a.m. Wednesday for coffee, something to eat and conversation.

Fay Jones School Student Ambassador Program Gives Voice to Design Students

The student ambassador program at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design is built to connect top design students with their school, its alumni, its future students and others inside and outside the school.

News Daily