Basketball (M)

MBB Preview: Arkansas vs UA Pine Bluff

November 2, 2026

FAYETTEVILLE – The Razorbacks’ 2026-27 season officially tips off on Tuesday (Nov. 3) when #12/13 Arkansas hosts UA-Pine Bluff. Game time is set for 7 pm, and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools in men’s basketball. However, Razorback head coach John Calipari is 1-0 versus UAPB, beating the Golden Lions, 78-54, while serving as head coach at Memphis (11/25/2002).

Arkansas will hit the road for game two of the season on Sunday (Nov. 8) to play #9/10 Virginia in the Capital Showcase in Washington, D.C. Tipoff is set for 1 pm (ET) / Noon (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN.

NOTES:

  • Arkansas is 84-19 in season openers all-time and 93-10 in home openers.
  • Overall, the Razorbacks have won 52 of the last 55 season openers. The three setbacks include a loss at #1 UCLA to open the 1973-74 campaign and two neutral site loses: vs #3 UMass (led by Coach Cal) to open 1994-95 and an overtime loss to Texas to open the 2018-19 season.
  • The Razorbacks have won 52 straight home openers, including a 33-0 record in openers inside Bud Walton Arena.
  • Coach Calipari is 2-0 in both home and season openers at Arkansas. Overall, he is 27-7 in season openers and 31-3 in home openers. He has won 23 straight home openers.
  • Arkansas was 2-0 in its preseason exhibitions, defeating #15/12 Gonzaga, 76-72, and Memphis, 93-81.
    • Billy Richmond III led the team in scoring in both wins by scoring 17 points in both contests. He also led the team in assists (8) while shooting 71.4% from 3PT (5-of-7).
    • Davion Thompson was second on the team in scoring at 12.5 ppg.
  • Miikka Muurinen, who had a double-double versus Memphis with 10 pts and 12 rebs, led the team in rebounds at 9.0 rpg, while averaging 10.0 ppg.
  • Jordan Smith Jr. tied Richmond for high-scorer versus Memphis with 17 points.
  • Cooper Bowser tied Muurinen for the rebound leader at 9.0 rpg. He shot a team-best 77.8% from the field, and he led the team with four blocked shots.
  • Nine players averaged at least 17 minutes of playing time in the exhibitions. Richmond averaged 26.2 minutes; the other 8 averaged between 17 and 22.

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

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