Arkansas closed exhibition play with a 93-81 win over Memphis on Wednesday night, and while the scoreboard looked sharp enough, the performance still left room for cleanup before the real thing starts next week.
The Razorbacks will open the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Nov. 3 against UA-Pine Bluff inside Bud Walton Arena, and this latest tune-up showed both sides of their identity. The offense finally found its rhythm after putting up just 76 points in the previous outing, while the defense once again caused problems for an opponent that had a hard time getting comfortable.
Freshman guard Jordan Smith Jr. set the tone early and finished with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding three rebounds and two assists. After managing only one point against Gonzaga on Saturday, he gave Arkansas fans a much better look at what they might get from the former National Gatorade Player of the Year.
Billy Richmond III matched him with 17 points of his own, and he did it without missing a shot. The junior wing went 7-for-7 from the field, while also collecting one rebound and three assists.
Arkansas was especially effective around the rim, finishing 26-of-32 on layup and dunk attempts. That marked a major step forward after the Razorbacks went just 5-for-16 on layups and dunks against Gonzaga.
Defensively, the Razorbacks kept the pressure coming. Memphis shot 46% from the field and 20% from 3, and Arkansas forced 15 turnovers that turned into 26 points on the other end. Across the two exhibition games, the Razorbacks held opponents to just over 76 points per game and limited them to 41% shooting.
The bench also played a major role in the win, with Arkansas getting 32 points from its reserves. Coach Calipari used 13 players in the game as part of his plan to build depth the team can lean on during the season.
Among the reserve group, freshmen JJ Andrews and Davion continued to be important pieces. Andrews scored 6 points on 2-for-2 shooting and added three rebounds. Thompson also made a strong impression, finishing with 13 points on 3-for-6 shooting while contributing two rebounds and two assists.
That depth will matter quickly. Arkansas’ non-conference schedule begins with Virginia on Nov. 8 in Washington, D.C., and the Razorbacks will need contributions from everywhere on the roster to navigate what’s coming next.
In Other News...
Arkansas Still Has One Offensive Problem It Can't Shake
Arkansas has found a little rhythm coming out of halftime, scoring touchdowns on the opening drive of the second half in consecutive games. The opening possession of games, though, has been a different story entirely, and that has remained one of the more frustrating blind spots for an offense trying to build momentum early instead of chasing it.
Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey has pointed to the basics as the fix, stressing the need to cut down on penalties, negative plays and sacks that can derail a drive before it gets started. There was also a notable development up front against Vanderbilt, where backup center Kash Courtney filled in for injured captain Caden Kitler and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, even as Kitler stayed listed as the starter on the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Gets A Real Opening Against Missouri In A Brutal SEC Test
Missouri comes into its matchup with Arkansas trying to clean up the kind of red-zone problems that can turn a tough SEC stretch into a real grind. Eli Drinkwitz singled out that inefficiency as one of the biggest issues for his team lately, while Ryan Silverfield spent part of the buildup talking through Arkansas injuries and also giving Missouris defense its due.
On the personnel front, the Tigers at least got a useful sign from Ahmad Hardy, who has returned to full practice after dealing with an injury. There still isnt a timetable for when he might be back in a game, which leaves one more layer of uncertainty for Missouri as it tries to steady itself before facing an Arkansas team looking for any opening it can find. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Gets One More Frontcourt Test As Memphis Waits On Key Big Man
Arkansas gets one more chance to sharpen its frontcourt before the games start counting, and the exhibition against Memphis should offer a useful look at how the Razorbacks handle size, length and physical play in the paint. For a team still sorting out its early identity, these tune-up games matter because they expose problems that can be hidden in practice, especially on the glass and around the rim.
Memphis brings its own uncertainty into the matchup, with forward Nemanja Popovic at the center of an NCAA eligibility dispute that could affect his availability when the regular season arrives. He just turned in a strong showing in an exhibition, which only adds to the intrigue for Arkansas as it tries to evaluate its interior defense against a frontcourt that may look different from one week to the next. [Read more 🡒]