The Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off an upset victory against the St. John’s Red Storm in the round of 32 of the NCAA basketball tournament. The No. 10-seeded Razorbacks defeated the No. 2-seeded Red Storm by a score of 75-66 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The game featured a matchup between legendary coaches John Calipari and Rick Pitino, with Calipari’s team ultimately coming out on top. St. John’s became the first No. 2 seed to be eliminated from this year’s tournament, shooting just 28% from the field and a dismal 2-22 from 3-point range. Pitino made the decision to bench Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. late in the second half, as he struggled to find his shot and finished with just nine points on 3-17 shooting. Zuby Ejiofor was a bright spot for St. John’s, scoring 23 points on 7 of 12 shooting and pulling down 12 rebounds, while Deivon Smith chipped in 13 points.
On the Arkansas side, three players scored in double figures to lead the Razorbacks to victory. Billy Richmond III put up 16 points and added nine rebounds, while Karter Knox and Johnell Davis contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively. Despite shooting better overall than St. John’s at 42.9% from the field, Arkansas also struggled from behind the arc, finishing just 2-19 on 3-point attempts. Despite these shooting woes, the Razorbacks were able to secure the win and advance to the Sweet 16. This victory marked a successful first year for John Calipari as the head coach of the team. Arkansas will now await the winner of the game between No. 11-seeded Drake and No. 3-seeded Texas Tech to see who they will face in the next round.
The victory over St. John’s was a significant upset for Arkansas, as they knocked out a higher-seeded team and advanced further in the NCAA tournament. The win showcased the team’s ability to come together and perform well under pressure, with multiple players stepping up to contribute to the scoring effort. The Razorbacks will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face their next opponent in the Sweet 16. The team’s performance in this game demonstrated their resilience and determination to compete at a high level in the tournament, despite facing challenges such as poor shooting from beyond the arc.
John Calipari’s coaching strategies and leadership played a key role in guiding the Razorbacks to victory over St. John’s. His experience and expertise in tournament play helped the team navigate through a tough matchup and come out on top. Calipari’s ability to make crucial decisions during the game, such as adjusting lineups and managing player rotations, proved to be instrumental in securing the win. Under his guidance, Arkansas was able to execute their game plan effectively and overcome the obstacles presented by St. John’s to emerge victorious. Calipari’s impact on the team’s success was evident in their performance on the court and will be a key factor as they continue their tournament run in the Sweet 16.
Looking ahead to the next round, Arkansas will face either No. 11-seeded Drake or No. 3-seeded Texas Tech, depending on the outcome of their matchup. The team will need to continue to work on improving their 3-point shooting and overall offensive efficiency in order to compete at a high level against their next opponent. They will also need to focus on maintaining their defensive intensity and limiting their opponents’ scoring opportunities. With solid contributions from key players and effective coaching from John Calipari, Arkansas will aim to build on their success in the tournament and advance further towards their ultimate goal of a championship title. The Sweet 16 matchup will present a new challenge for the Razorbacks, but they will be prepared to face it head-on and continue their impressive tournament run.
