Arkansas will open its home schedule on November 13, welcoming Central Arkansas to the Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. The matchup marks the third straight year the Razorbacks have hosted the Bears in‑state, underscoring a growing regional rivalry that began with a 93‑56 victory in North Little Rock last November and an 82‑57 win in December 2024.
The Razorbacks hold a perfect 10‑0 record against Central Arkansas, a streak that dates back to the program’s early meetings. Those two recent triumphs added to a flawless series ledger, positioning Arkansas as the clear favorite as the Bears aim to close the gap.
Beyond the in‑state showdown, Arkansas’s 2026‑27 campaign features five confirmed home games, including contests against Robert Morris (Nov 10), Oral Roberts (Dec 5), Central Michigan (Dec 22) and Texas‑Rio Grande Valley (Dec 29). The team will also travel to neutral‑site venues for high‑profile tests: a Nov 17 appearance at Madison Square Garden against Indiana, a Thanksgiving battle in Detroit, and a Dec 19 showdown in Phoenix versus Arizona. The Razorbacks are slated to meet North Carolina at the Dean Smith Center on Dec 1 as part of the SEC‑ACC Challenge.
Central Arkansas enters the game fresh off a 22‑12 season that saw the Bears share the Atlantic Sun regular‑season title before falling in the conference championship. Head coach John Shulman will rely on returning contributor Ty Robinson, who averaged 14.2 points and 5.6 rebounds last year, while newcomers Rylie Marshall and Simm‑Marten Saadi have joined via the transfer portal.
Arkansas, meanwhile, has bolstered its roster with portal additions Cooper Bowser from Furman and Jeremiah Wilkinson from Georgia, and will welcome eight freshmen, among them 5‑star prospect Jordan Smith, Abdou Toure and Miikka Muurinen. Junior wing Billy Richmond, who tested the NBA Draft waters before deciding to return, is expected to anchor the lineup, though fellow wing Isaiah Sealy will miss time due to a knee injury requiring surgery.
With a blend of seasoned veterans, impact transfers and highly touted freshmen, the Razorbacks hope to translate their early non‑conference slate into momentum heading into SEC play. The upcoming Central Arkansas game serves as both a benchmark and a launchpad for a schedule that promises marquee matchups and a chance to extend their unbeaten series lead.
Key Players to Watch
Ty Robinson’s scoring and rebounding will be pivotal for Central Arkansas, while Arkansas will look to Billy Richmond’s versatility and the shooting touch of newcomer Jordan Smith. The health of Isaiah Sealy will also be a factor for the Razorbacks as they navigate a demanding road ahead.