Arkansas will open its preseason slate against Gonzaga in a highly anticipated exhibition game, a matchup that was confirmed by head coach John Calipari, though the exact date remains undisclosed.
A Milestone for the Razorbacks
The meeting marks the first preseason encounter ever scheduled between the Razorbacks and the Bulldogs, a series that has previously produced a split of two meetings. In 2022 the Razorbacks upset the top‑ranked Bulldogs 74‑68 in an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal, while Gonzaga had earlier secured a 91‑81 victory at the Maui Invitational in 2013.
Arkansas has mapped out four nonconference regular‑season contests, positioning the exhibition against Gonzaga as the centerpiece of a schedule that also includes trips to face Cincinnati, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina, Arizona, Central Michigan, Arizona State, Notre Dame and Washington.
Gonzaga arrives with a strong returning core that includes Braden Huff, Mario Saint‑Supery and Davis Fogle, while the program has also welcomed transfers such as Massamba Diop and Luca Foster. The Bulldogs will be without center Graham Ike, who opted for the NBA Draft, but they compensate with a recruiting class that features Braden Huff, Mario Saint‑Supery, Davis Fogle, and several highly touted freshmen.
Arkansas has bolstered its roster with two portal additions — Cooper Bowser and Jeremiah Wilkinson — while also retaining Billy Richmond, Isaiah Sealy and Paulo Semedo from last season. The team will also benefit from the return of forwards Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle, who have exhausted eligibility, and will welcome five freshmen, among them four 5‑star prospects.
The exhibition will serve as a crucial test for both programs as they fine‑tune strategies ahead of a demanding regular season. For the Razorbacks, the game offers a chance to showcase the depth of their new additions, while Gonzaga will look to prove that its revamped lineup can still compete at the highest level.