John Calipari: ‘I think’ Arkansas will face Memphis, Big 12 program in exhibition matchups
By Ethan Stone
Published:
On Monday afternoon, Arkansas basketball head coach John Calipari told reporters that he thinks the Razorbacks will face off against Memphis and Kansas in exhibition matchups before the start of the 2026-27 season. As previously reported, Arkansas is also set to face off against Gonzaga in an exhibition matchup.
“I think those are the three,” Calipari said, via WholeHogSports.
None of these 3 games has an official tipoff date, but Gonzaga is set to visit Bud Walton Arena while the matchup against Kansas is set to be an away game, per Calipari on Monday.
This season, the NCAA is allowing its teams to play 3 exhibition matchups instead of 2, as has been the case in the past. This is quietly big news for the Razorbacks, who are set to start several freshmen this season. A couple exhibition matchups against elite competition should serve to work the freshmen into the speed of the college game.
Arkansas’ 2026-27 slate is now nearing completion with the release of the Hogs’ full SEC conference slate on Monday. The Razorbacks, in addition to facing Gonzaga and likely Memphis/Kansas before the season, will face non-conference opponents such as Indiana, Michigan State, North Carolina, Arizona, among other games that are still to be announced.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
