Arkansas vs. James Madison: What to Know Ahead of Monday Night’s Matchup in Fayetteville
The Razorbacks are set to close out their nonconference slate with a Monday night showdown against James Madison at Bud Walton Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and while it’s the first-ever meeting between these two programs, there’s no shortage of storylines heading into this one.
A Familiar Face on the Opposing Bench
When Arkansas head coach John Calipari looks across the sideline Monday night, he’ll see a familiar face in James Madison’s Preston Spradlin. The two go way back - all the way to their days at Kentucky and even the Dominican Republic national team.
Calipari brought Spradlin on as a graduate assistant after his playing days at Alice Lloyd College, and the two worked side-by-side for five years. Now, they’ll meet as head coaches in a game that pits mentor against former understudy.
Where They Stand
Arkansas enters the matchup at 9-3, ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25, and looking to build momentum heading into SEC play. It’s been a mixed bag so far against ranked opponents - the Razorbacks are 2-3 in those matchups - but they’ve taken care of business in buy games, remaining undefeated in those contests.
James Madison, meanwhile, comes in at 7-6, but don’t let that record fool you. The Dukes are coming off a season where they earned a share of the Sun Belt regular-season title. That was Spradlin’s first year at the helm after arriving from Morehead State, where he led the program to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Spotlight on Darius Acuff
If you haven’t been paying attention to Darius Acuff yet, now’s the time to tune in. The Arkansas freshman guard has been electric, averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 assists per game.
He’s already collected three straight SEC Freshman of the Week honors, and it’s not hard to see why. Acuff brings a rare blend of scoring ability and court vision - he’s the kind of player who can take over a game or elevate everyone around him.
In short, he’s one of the most dynamic young guards in college basketball right now, and he’ll be a key factor in this one.
Final Tune-Up Before Conference Play
This game marks Arkansas’ final nonconference test before the grind of SEC play begins. It’s a chance to fine-tune rotations, solidify roles, and build confidence heading into what’s always a tough conference schedule. For Calipari’s squad, it’s also an opportunity to stay sharp and avoid any letdowns against a team that, while unranked, has a coach who knows how to prepare his players for big moments.
How to Watch and Listen
The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the ESPN app (subscription required). Brett Dolan and Manuale Watkins will be on the call. On the radio side, Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman will handle the broadcast for the Razorback Sports Network, available on local affiliates and the Varsity Network app (blackouts may apply).
The Bottom Line
With conference play looming, Arkansas will look to handle business at home and head into the SEC portion of the schedule with momentum. James Madison, led by a coach who knows Calipari’s system well, will look to play spoiler. It’s a matchup layered with history, talent, and the kind of pre-conference energy that makes college hoops in December so compelling.