Arkansas gets one more preseason look at its frontcourt Wednesday night, but Memphis is bringing a wrinkle that makes the exhibition a little more than just another tune-up.
Nemanja Popovic, a 6-foot-9 Serbian forward, gave the Tigers a strong first impression in their exhibition win over Mississippi State on Oct. 23. He scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, grabbed four rebounds, added three steals and blocked a shot in 31 minutes, showing the kind of inside production Memphis can lean on.
His status is part of the story, too. The NCAA has cleared Popovic for two seasons of eligibility, but also handed him a six-game withholding period to start the 2026-27 season because of his previous international competition. Memphis is appealing that ruling, so his availability once the regular season starts is still up in the air.
That leaves Wednesday’s game with a little extra significance for Penny Hardaway’s group. Memphis is working through a roster full of newcomers, including transfers and international players, and this final exhibition gives the Tigers another chance to sort out how all those pieces fit together. If Popovic is going to be part of the regular rotation, this is another useful step in getting him integrated.
Arkansas, meanwhile, enters the matchup with some interior questions of its own after a 76-72 exhibition win over Gonzaga. The Razorbacks showed enough offensive punch to win, but the game also exposed issues on the glass and near the rim. Gonzaga finished with 52 rebounds, including 19 offensive boards, and scored 36 points in the paint while Arkansas managed 47 total rebounds and 16 offensive rebounds.
Cooper Bowser was one bright spot for the Razorbacks, finishing with nine points and 10 rebounds. Miikka Muurinen was another encouraging sign on the front line, giving Arkansas a glimpse of what he can do as one of the younger bigs still adjusting to the college game.
For John Calipari, this exhibition is another chance to see how his team handles a different kind of challenge than the one Gonzaga posed. Memphis brings interior size and multiple scoring options on the wings and in the backcourt, so Arkansas has to stay solid defensively without losing its edge on the perimeter.
Popovic’s showing against Mississippi State suggests he can make life uncomfortable inside. He finished efficiently around the basket and chipped in defensively with steals and a block, giving Memphis a productive interior presence at both ends.
That matters for a team with plenty of roster turnover. Hardaway’s new mix of experienced transfers and international talent is still coming together, and Wednesday offers one more game to evaluate combinations before the real schedule begins.
The NCAA issue adds intrigue, but it doesn’t change the basic purpose of the night. Arkansas wants to keep sharpening its rebounding and interior defense after the Gonzaga game, while Memphis wants to keep building chemistry and figuring out how much it can count on Popovic.
Wednesday’s exhibition won’t count in the standings, but it still gives both coaches something useful. Arkansas hosts Memphis at 7 p.m. CT at Bud Walton Arena, and the game will stream on SEC Network+.
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