DJ Wagner Credit: Brian Chilson

ARKANSAS VS. FRESNO STATE
SATURDAY 12/6. Simmons Bank Arena. 3 p.m. 

What do Razorback fans in Central Arkansas do following a shambolic football season that led to the September firing of head coach Sam Pittman? Go check out John Calipari’s highly touted 2025 squad for the Hogs’ annual December game in North Little Rock, of course. In Calipari’s first season at Arkansas, the Razorbacks struggled early in conference play, then rebounded to make the NCAA Tournament. After a surprise run to the Sweet 16, the Razorbacks entered the 2025-26 season ranked No. 14 nationally. Calipari, known for his ability to recruit and prepare freshmen for the NBA, has the No. 3 ranked recruiting class according to ESPN, led by five-star guards Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas. Arkansas also landed Isaiah Sealy, the state’s No. 1 high school recruit out of Springdale. These freshmen join senior Trevon Brazile, frontcourt transfers Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle, and key returners Karter Knox, DJ Wagner and Billy Richmond III. The group’s potential was evident in late October, after the Hogs erased a 15-point deficit to defeat Memphis by 24 points in an exhibition game in the Bluff City. And despite a rough second half in East Lansing versus Tom Izzo’s No. 22-ranked Michigan State Spartans in early November, the Razorbacks went on an 8-0 run to tie the game with a minute and 41 seconds left, eventually losing by three. The ceiling is high, and the Arkansas Times sports desk needs to calm down before sending out any more ill-advised text predictions about how far this team can go. Get tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Rhett Brinkley is the food editor at the Arkansas Times. Send restaurant tips and food selfies to rhettbrinkley@arktimes.com
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