No. 7 Arkansas kept its NCAA streak alive in College Station, finishing second at the NCAA South Central Regional and locking up an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships for the 14th straight year.
Tulane took the team title with 44 points, edging the Razorbacks’ 48 at Texas A&M’s Watts course. Arkansas was runner-up for the fifth time in the last seven South Central Regional meets.
The Razorbacks were powered at the front by Nick Busienei and Ernest Cheruiyot, who went 1-2 with times of 28:57.1 and 29:02.5 over the 10,000-meter course. Texas A&M’s Michael Moiben was third in 20:04.4.
Busienei’s win extended a strong run for Arkansas in this meet, giving the Razorbacks their fifth straight South Central Regional victory from one of their runners. That list now includes Timothy Chesondin (2025), Kirami Yego (2024), and Patrick Kiprop (2022, 2023).
James Sankei added a fifth-place finish in 29:25.5 to give Arkansas another key score. Allen Bonnesen came in 18th at 30:16.8, and Trey Caldwell closed out the scoring in 22nd with a time of 30:26.3. Those top five finishers all earned All-Region honors by placing in the top 25.
Arkansas also got efforts from Jackson Free and Trenton Sandler, who finished 28th and 29th in a tight sprint to the line. Free was clocked in 30:45.4, while Sandler finished in 30:46.1.
Tulane’s scoring group finished 4-6-9-11-14, while Arkansas counted 1-2-5-18-22. Stephen F. Austin was third with 104 points, followed by Texas A&M with 126, TCU with 160, and Incarnate Word with 213.
In Other News...
Arkansas Faces A Huge South Carolina Twist Right Before Kickoff
South Carolinas quarterback situation has become the biggest pregame storyline hanging over Arkansass trip, with LaNorris Sellers now a gametime decision because of a lower body injury. He had been listed as probable, but the uncertainty has lingered right up to kickoff, leaving the Razorbacks to prepare for either the usual starter or a different look entirely if sophomore Cutter Woods gets the nod.
The Gamecocks are also expected to be without receiver Nyck Harbor, another wrinkle for an offense already dealing with questions at quarterback. Arkansas, meanwhile, has some good news on its own injury report with defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes Jr. listed as probable, but the focus remains on how South Carolinas final call at quarterback could reshape the matchup in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Billy Richmond Is Rolling As Arkansas Gets An Intriguing Boost
Billy Richmond has given Arkansas a much-needed lift at Bud Walton Arena, where the No. 19 Razorbacks led Central Arkansas 43-27 at halftime. Richmond put together an efficient opening half with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting, a welcome sign for a team looking for more consistent scoring support as the season settles in.
Jordan Smith Jr. also made his presence felt with eight points on perfect shooting, while Miikka Muurinen chipped in four points and helped on the defensive end. For Arkansas, the broader takeaway goes beyond the halftime margin: the Razorbacks are getting useful production from multiple pieces, and Richmonds offensive rhythm is the kind of development that can change the feel of a game quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Calipari Still Waiting For Arkansas To Play Like It Means It
Arkansas got the win over UCA, 76-63, but the performance still left John Calipari looking for more than just a result on the scoreboard. The Razorbacks showed enough talent to separate, and the shot-making was there, but the larger issues Calipari has been pointing to were still easy to spot in stretches of the game.
What he wants now is a group that plays with more cohesion, more ownership and a steadier edge from start to finish. Calipari has been patient while also adjusting his coaching approach, but the message remains the same: Arkansas has to show sustained effort and a real killer instinct before it starts looking like the team he believes it can be. [Read more 🡒]