As February unfolds, the NCAA Tournament prospects for the Arkansas Razorbacks remain a topic of discussion among national analysts. Following a mixed performance last week that included a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners and a home defeat to the Kentucky Wildcats, the Razorbacks are currently positioned as a potential contender for the March Madness tournament. Despite this, their chances of securing a top seed appear to be dwindling.
The Razorbacks, now ranked No. 21 with a record of 16-6 and 6-3 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), have encountered challenges in maintaining momentum. In their recent game against Oklahoma, Arkansas overcame a double-digit deficit for a crucial win; however, they failed to sustain that energy in the second half against Kentucky, ultimately losing the match.
Current Bracketology Projections for Arkansas
With the NCAA Tournament approximately six weeks away, experts have weighed in on where the Razorbacks stand in the latest bracketology projections. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Arkansas is predicted to secure a No. 6 seed in the South Region. In this scenario, they would face the No. 11 seed Miami in Oklahoma City, with the potential to advance against No. 3 Nebraska or No. 14 Portland State) in the next round.
Similarly, On3’s James Fletcher III also has Arkansas marked as a No. 6 seed in Oklahoma City, projecting a first-round matchup against the winner of a play-in game between USC and Santa Clara. The remaining teams in this quadrant include No. 3 Iowa State and No. 14 Portland State.
USA TODAY Sports has echoed these sentiments, placing Arkansas as a No. 6 seed destined for Oklahoma City. This projection features a possible first-round face-off against either UCLA or Santa Clara. The East Region quadrant also includes No. 3 Nebraska and No. 14 Portland State.
In a slight variation, The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode has predicted that the Razorbacks will be heading to Portland as a No. 6 seed, where they could meet Ohio State or Virginia Tech in the first round. The winner of that game would then likely face Gonzaga or Portland State.
Arkansas’ Competitive Landscape
Examining Arkansas’s tournament résumé reveals a mixed record against top-tier opponents. The Razorbacks hold a 4-6 record against Quad 1 opponents, with notable victories over Vanderbilt, Louisville, Texas Tech, and Tennessee. They have also performed well against Quad 2 opponents, remaining undefeated at 3-0.
As they continue to navigate the SEC schedule, Arkansas is currently ranked No. 24 in the NET Rankings and No. 25 according to KenPom, indicating their competitive standing in the national landscape.
With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the Razorbacks must enhance their performance to strengthen their position and secure a favorable seed. As the season progresses, every game becomes increasingly crucial for their March Madness aspirations.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball, and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at [email protected] or followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @jacksonfuller16.
