Arkansas-Cincinnati Exhibition Tabbed the CareSource Invitational Supporting Mental Health

Fayetteville – Arkansas’s men’s basketball will host Cincinnati for an exhibition game at Bud Walton Arena Oct. 24 (Friday) at 7 pm. The CareSource Invitational – Fayetteville, Supporting Mental Health – will be the first time the schools have faced off since 2021. This will be the second year Arkansas has hosted a game in conjunction with CareSource, with a focus on mental health.

The Cincinnati at Arkansas matchup is part of a broader, mission-aligned initiative sponsored by CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization. The initiative aims to normalize the mental health conversation nationwide, break the stigma and promote the overall well-being of children and teens. The final 2025 game will feature Louisville vs. Indiana at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena on December 6^th.

“We are pleased to host Cincinnati in this exhibition game and once again have the opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health,” said Arkansas head coach John Calipari. “We are grateful for the platform to raise awareness and advocate for a cause that affects so many individuals.”

Cincinnati’s head coach Wes Miller echoed the sentiments, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to play this exhibition game. It’s been a while since the Bearcats were in Fayetteville. It’s meaningful our return is way to spotlight mental health – an issue that touches countless lives – and to use our platform to raise awareness and support.”

Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 1 pm (CT) on Wednesday (Oct. 1) and can be purchased online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com. For further questions, contact the Razorback Ticket Center by email raztk@uark.edu or by calling (479) 575-5151 or 1-800-982-4647. The exhibition is not part of the 2025-26 Arkansas men’s basketball season ticket package.

The game will be broadcast on SECN+.

CareSource’s support of collegiate basketball games supporting mental health began in 2023 when the University of Dayton hosted Ohio State in a sold-out charity benefit game. The game and events surrounding it raised approximately $500,000 to support adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, including Jay’s Light. Jay’s Light is a fund started by Dayton Coach Anthony Grant and his wife Chris to help mothers, fathers, teens, and young adults find the resources to help with mental health struggles. Their daughter, Jay, died in 2022 at the age of 20, as a result of mental illness.

“When CareSource saw the power and impact of the inaugural game and events in Dayton, we immediately felt more people should hear the powerful messages around mental health and breaking the stigma,” said Scott Markovich, executive vice president, markets and products at CareSource. “Wellness is a core part of CareSource’s mission, and it’s an honor to support our communities’ health and wellbeing by expanding awareness and resources through these games. We want to make a real, meaningful impact on the communities and members we serve.”

Arkansas and Cincinnati have met on five previous occasions with the Bearcats being ranked in each of the first four. The Hogs trail 2-3 all-time in the series versus the Bearcats. However, Arkansas won the last meeting, 73-67, on Nov. 23, 2021, in the championship game of the Hall of Fame Classic, played in Kansas City, Mo. The #17 Cincinnati defeated Arkansas, 82-67, on Dec. 9, 1995, in Fayetteville with President Bill Clinton on hand for the contest. Razorback head coach John Calipari also trails in his meetings with Cincinnati, 6-7.