The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the quarterfinals of the 2026 SEC Tournament. With the Razorbacks entering as the No. 3 seed and the Sooners as the No. 11 seed, fans are in for a treat Friday night at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
The action tips off approximately 30 minutes after the Alabama-Ole Miss game wraps up, around 8:30 p.m. CDT, with SEC Network providing the coverage.
Oklahoma has been on a tear, entering their third game in as many days. They dispatched 14-seed South Carolina 86-74 on Wednesday, thanks to a stellar performance from senior guard Nijel Pack, who dropped 24 points and added five assists and two steals. Sophomore forward Derrion Reid also contributed significantly with 20 points.
The Sooners carried that momentum into their matchup against 6-seed Texas A&M, a team that had the luxury of a first-round bye. After trailing early, Oklahoma went on a remarkable 24-5 run, sparked by Pack's three-pointer, ultimately cruising to an 83-63 victory.
In their lone regular-season encounter, Arkansas edged out Oklahoma in a nail-biter. The Razorbacks overcame a 13-point first-half deficit in Norman on January 27, closing out the game with a 6-0 run to secure an 83-79 win. It was a game marked by 15 lead changes and intense back-and-forth action.
Darius Acuff was pivotal for Arkansas, leading with 21 points and nine assists. His clutch play in the final moments, including a crucial and-1, helped seal the deal. Freshman Meleek Thomas also shone, especially in the second half, finishing with 16 points.
For the Sooners, Nijel Pack was a standout, scoring 22 points and hitting six of 11 from beyond the arc. His deep three late in the game briefly gave Oklahoma the lead, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
The winner of this matchup will advance to face either 2-seed Alabama or 15-seed Ole Miss in the semifinals, slated for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CDT. As both teams gear up for this high-stakes clash, fans can expect a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire.