What’s in Store for Arkansas Men’s Basketball’s Non-Conference Schedule?

The Razorbacks’ 2024-25 season is just around the corner, but one crucial aspect remains unclear: their non-conference schedule. While we don’t have all the details just yet, we can look to Kentucky’s recent schedules for inspiration. After all, new Arkansas coach John Calipari built some impressive slates during his tenure at Kentucky.

Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari speaks to the crowd during the ONE Razorback Roadshow in Little Rock.

Calipari recently joked about not having a team, and now, he’s working on building a schedule from scratch. While we know the Razorbacks will face SEC opponents, dates and times are still pending. Arkansas was initially set to participate in the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego but has since withdrawn from the event.

A glimpse into the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego.

In the meantime, Calipari is in talks with ESPN and CBS about potential events for the upcoming season. He’s prioritizing national showcases before exploring home-and-home contests against high-major opponents and guarantee games against mid- and low-major programs.

A Glimpse into Kentucky’s Recent Schedules

During Calipari’s time at Kentucky, the Wildcats played home-and-home games with four teams: Gonzaga, Kansas, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. They also participated in national and international events each season, facing opponents like Kansas, North Carolina, Michigan State, Michigan, UCLA, Utah, and Ohio State.

Kentucky Wildcats in action.

Arkansas, on the other hand, opted for neutral-site contests, multi-team events, and conference challenges in recent years. They finished home-and-home contracts with Western Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and Indiana in former coach Eric Musselman’s first season.

What’s Next for the Razorbacks?

As Calipari builds the Razorbacks’ schedule, he’ll likely draw inspiration from his Kentucky days. Expect a mix of national showcases, home-and-home contests, and guarantee games against mid- and low-major programs. Arkansas might also participate in events like the Battle 4 Atlantis, Maui Invitational, and Hall of Fame Classic, which were broadcast by ESPN.

Basketball action.

In terms of non-conference schedule difficulty, Kentucky ranked 203, 142, 242, 23, and 207 over the past five seasons, according to KenPom. Arkansas ranked 124, 74, 245, 272, and 136. Calipari aims to strike a balance between competitiveness and winnability, ensuring the Razorbacks enter SEC play with momentum.

SEC basketball action.

As the Razorbacks prepare for the 2024-25 season, fans can expect an exciting non-conference schedule that will test their mettle before diving into the SEC fray. Stay tuned for more updates on Arkansas men’s basketball!