No. 14 Arkansas avenged a heartbreaking 2025 NCAA tournament loss to Texas Tech with a 93-86 victory last Saturday, another strong effort on a schedule that requires it.
The Razorbacks’ next opponent, Queens, won’t inspire a similar thirst for revenge because Tuesday’s nonconference game in Fayetteville, Ark., is the first between the schools.
On the other hand, Arkansas (8-2) can’t relax. The Royals (5-6) were the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Sun after collecting 20 wins last year. They’re among the 22 regular-season games Arkansas must play against teams that won at least 20 games a year ago.
Senior forward Trevon Brazile had his second double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds and Darius Acuff Jr. and Karter Knox scored 20 points apiece in the rematch against Texas Tech, when the Razorbacks had three 20-point scorers for the first time this season.
“It was 100% a personal game, especially for the returnees,” said Brazile, whose team surrendered a 16-point second-half lead in an 85-83 Sweet 16 overtime loss to Texas Tech. “It was obviously an emotional game for us.”
Brazile was a factor on both ends. His blocked shot with 45 seconds remaining and Arkansas clinging to an 89-83 lead blunted a potential Texas Tech comeback. The fifth-year senior averages a career-high 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals while also shooting a career-best 40.7% from 3-point range and 81.1% at the line.
“You’re looking at a different Trevon Brazile,” Arkansas coach John Calipari said. “‘TB’ has to be one of the best players in the country because he impacts the game in so many different ways.”
Freshman point guard Acuff, who had eight assists against Texas Tech, said simply: “Every time I throw it to him, he scores.”
“We’re just getting that chemistry together, me and him,” Brazile said of Acuff, “but even more as a team. We’re clicking as a team. We’re a hard team to beat.”
Knox had his most productive game of the season, finishing one point short of his career high while adding six rebounds to help the Razorbacks to a 40-33 rebounding edge. He had two blocked shots.
“We know who he is,” Acuff said. “His shot-making ability is crazy.”
Calipari said he has spoken to Knox about blocking out the noise.
“I’ve worked for two weeks on Karter to quit playing to expectations,” Calipari said in a television interview. “Just play and have fun. Quit listening to everybody.
“My job is to get every player to play their best. Yes, they are playing for the University of Arkansas. But they are playing for each other and, instead of competing, they are trying to complete each other.
“That’s where I am trying to take this. I’m proud of them.”
Queens may try to run with the Razorbacks. The Royals are averaging 84.3 points per game and have hit 100 points in three of their last seven games, although only one was against a Division I team (UNC Greensboro).
“We’re very talented,” Queens coach Grant Leonard said after Friday’s 102-78 victory over South Carolina State. “This group can be special if we decide our identity is going to start with defense.”
Senior guard Nasir Mann leads the Royals in scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.6 rpg) and is one of four double-digit scorers. Chris Ashby averages 13.0 points and has drilled 39 of 96 3-point attempts (40.6%).
–Field Level Media
