The University of Arkansas has confirmed a 2026‑27 men's basketball schedule that adds two fresh nonconference opponents — Robert Morris and Oral Roberts — to a lineup already peppered with high‑profile matchups. Both games will be played at Bud Walton Arena, with the Robert Morris contest slated for November 10 and the Oral Roberts game set for December 5.
A crowded nonconference slate
In addition to the home series against the Colonials and the Golden Eagles, the Razorbacks will host Central Michigan on December 22 and Texas‑Rio Grande Valley on December 29. The schedule also includes marquee neutral‑site contests such as a November 17 showdown with Indiana at Madison Square Garden, a December 1 clash with North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and a December 19 game against Arizona in Phoenix. A preseason exhibition against Gonzaga will also be on the horizon, though a specific date has yet to be announced.
Coach John Calipari has spoken openly about the difficulty of arranging a home nonconference game against a top‑tier opponent, noting that the team has struggled to lock in a marquee matchup on campus. The coach’s comments underscore the broader challenge of balancing competitive ambition with logistical realities, especially as the SEC’s league schedule was recently released, leaving a handful of nonconference slots still open.
History and future prospects
Arkansas holds a favorable all‑time record against both Robert Morris and Oral Roberts, leading 12‑2 over the Golden Eagles and having defeated the Colonials 79‑74 in their lone previous meeting on December 20, 2012. Robert Morris, a private institution in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, will be making its third appearance in Fayetteville, while Oral Roberts, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will return for the ninth time, seeking revenge after a 87‑76 loss in the 2020 Sweet 16. Andrew Toole, now in his 17th season as Robert Morris coach, brings a 1‑2 record against Calipari’s teams, while Kory Barnett, in his second year at ORU, hopes to improve on a 10‑23 inaugural campaign.
The Razorbacks’ schedule also reflects a strategic use of neutral sites, with most marquee games scheduled away from Fayetteville before SEC play begins. Upcoming contests in New York, Chapel Hill, Indianapolis and Phoenix will test the team against diverse environments and fan bases. Meanwhile, the SEC’s recent announcement of a tentative Tuesday‑and‑Wednesday night conference slate leaves the Razorbacks with five nonconference vacancies to fill, a window that could see additional high‑profile additions before the season tips off.