Arkansas Set to Challenge Hawai’i in 2026 NCAA Tournament Matchup
Arkansas is set to face Hawai’i in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. This matchup is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Match Details
The game will tip off at 3:25 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on TBS. The announcing team will feature Brad Nessler for play-by-play, Wally Szczerbiak as an analyst, and Jared Greenberg reporting from the sidelines.
Team Backgrounds
- Arkansas: The Razorbacks are seeded fourth in the West Region and have a notable NCAA Tournament history.
- Arkansas has made its 38th NCAA Tournament appearance, achieving this milestone five times in the last six years.
- The Razorbacks have a solid all-time tournament record of 52 wins against 36 losses, including an impressive 20-8 in first-round matchups.
Previous Encounters
This will be the third meeting between Arkansas and Hawai’i, with Arkansas winning the first two games in December 1977 in Honolulu.
Next Steps for the Winner
Should Arkansas win, they would advance to play the winner of the matchup between No. 5 seed Wisconsin and No. 12 seed High Point on Saturday, March 21, in Portland.
Season Performance
- Arkansas Record: 26-8 overall, having won the SEC Tournament.
- Hawai’i Record: 24-8, finishing second in Big West play after defeating UC Irvine in their tournament finals.
Coaching Highlights
John Calipari, in his 34th season as a head coach, boasts a remarkable record. Key highlights include:
- 25 NCAA appearances—ranking eighth-most among NCAA Division I coaches.
- 59 wins in NCAA Tournament play, tying for fifth-most all-time.
- Outstanding performance with a 21-3 record in the first round of the tournament.
Ticket Information
Fans who have submitted their postseason ticket requests will receive updates by Tuesday, March 17. University of Arkansas students holding access passes have until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16, to purchase tickets. General public tickets can be accessed via the NCAA Ticketmaster page.
For the latest updates on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.
