Rick Pitino and John Calipari addressed to media after the round of 32 showdowns
Rick Pitino and John Calipari address the media after Arkansas defeats St. John’s in the 32nd round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament – Video: NCAA
Sports Pulse
ROADLEY, Providence – Arkansas Basketball has won two from the Final Four after a 75-66 victory at St. John’s on Saturday in the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
No. 10 Razorbacks (22-13) are the fourth sweet 16 in their final five seasons after John Calipari’s recent victory at Rick Pitino. Billy Richmond scored 16 points and the Hoggs scored second-placed Red Storm (31-5) and fired 28% of the time.
Next up is a trip to San Francisco, facing Texas Tech 3, who defeated Drake 77-64 in the second round.
Buy Arkansas NCAA Tickets and Texas Tech
Below is a scouting report and prediction for the March Madness showdown between the Pig and the Red Raiders.
Arkansas Basketball needs to slow down JT Toppin
The Red Raiders’ 6-foot-9 wing is a national who averaged 17.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He’s efficient, shooting 55.2% off the field and making enough 3 pointers at 31.4%, and the defender respects him from the outside.
Toppin will be a top priority in the Arkan Source Couting Report. In the final eight games, the Red Raiders are between 0 and 3 when they score under 20 points. The Hoggs stifled St. John’s top scorer RJ Lewis Jr., holding the big guard at nine points in 17 shooting.
Can a pig force some turnover?
Texas Tech is one of the best teams in the country to care for basketball. The Red Raiders were second in the country, with just 9.9 turnovers per game.
Arkansas loves to generate simple buckets during the transition and put pressure on conflicting security guards. Speeding up the likes of Elijah Hawkins and Christian Anderson in the Texas Tech backcourt will be a difficult task.
Will either team get back the injured star?
Adou Thiero missed eight consecutive matches in Hogs’ victory over St. John’s, but John Calipari expressed optimism that Thiero could come back if Arkansas advances in the NCAA tournament.
Tiero, the Hogs’ main scorer with 15.6 points per game, practiced a bit during the victory of Kansas State and Red Storm on Friday.
Texas Tech Guard Chance McMillian missed three straight games with an upper body injury. He averages 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Arkansas Prediction and Texas Tech: March Madness Sweet 16
Something magical is happening in Arkansas, and Hoggs’ great defense is only enough to curb the technological attacks of Elite Texas. The Razorbacks also have great advantages in the experience, from their roster to sideline coaches. Arkansas will play for the Elite 8. Arkansas 81, Texas Institute of Technology 78.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas soccer, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times record, part of the USA Today Network. Contact him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow @Jacksonfuler16 on X, previously known as Twitter.
