Arkansas Seeks Upset Over No. 1 Auburn in Crucial SEC Matchup

Arkansas, Desperate for Signature Win, Faces No. 1 Auburn in SEC Showdown

Fresh off a statement win over then-No. 2 Alabama, No. 1 Auburn (23-2, 11-1 SEC) aims to maintain its momentum when it hosts Arkansas (15-10, 4-8 SEC) in a high-stakes SEC matchup on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Arkansas is in dire need of a defining victory to strengthen its NCAA Tournament resume, making this a crucial game for both programs.

Auburn Riding High After No. 1 vs. No. 2 Showdown

Auburn solidified its hold on the No. 1 ranking with a dominant 94-85 victory over Alabama on Saturday, proving why it is one of the most complete teams in the country.

Coach Bruce Pearl praised his team’s execution in the high-pressure matchup.

“You never know whether or not a game can live up to the hype,” Pearl said. “We were very prepared. Coaches did a great job with the game plan. The kids executed early. I am a big fan of making history, and I do know that 1-2s are rare.”

Johni Broome Continues Dominance, But is He Fully Healthy?

Star forward Johni Broome posted another double-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists against Alabama, furthering his case for National Player of the Year. However, Broome rolled his ankle in the second half and was visibly limping toward the end of the game.

His status and mobility will be a key factor against Arkansas.

Denver Jones: Auburn’s Defensive Anchor

Coach Pearl singled out guard Denver Jones for his lockdown defense on Alabama’s Mark Sears, limiting him to 4-of-17 shooting. Jones also contributed 16 points and has been on an offensive surge, averaging 18.5 points over the past two games.

“How do you stay in front of Mark Sears? Hardly anybody can,” Pearl said. “Denver Jones did, and nobody talked about it. He is one of the best defensive players in college basketball. He needs to be on the Naismith All-Defensive team.”

Arkansas Running Out of Time for a Statement Win

With only six regular-season games remaining, Arkansas is feeling the pressure to secure a marquee victory. First-year head coach John Calipari was frustrated after a 69-61 loss at No. 8 Texas A&M, making it clear that Arkansas cannot afford to waste opportunities.

Calipari’s Frustration After Texas A&M Loss

“For us to bust through, we are going to have to beat somebody,” Calipari said. “If we had won that game, we would be in the NCAA Tournament. Now, we have to go get somebody else.”

Arkansas has just one win over a ranked opponent this season, which came against No. 12 Kentucky on February 1. However, the Razorbacks have yet to defeat a top-10 team, making this matchup against Auburn their best opportunity to secure a signature win.

Key Players for Arkansas

Adou Thiero – 15.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG (team leader)
Karter Knox – 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting vs. Texas A&M
Zvonimir Ivisic – 13 points vs. Texas A&M, averaging 26.0 in the two previous games

Can Arkansas Reverse Last Year’s Blowout?

The last time Arkansas visited Auburn, it suffered an 83-51 blowout loss. The Razorbacks will need to play a near-perfect game to avoid a similar fate.

What’s at Stake?

Auburn: Needs to maintain its top ranking and continue its dominance heading into March.
Arkansas: A victory would reignite its NCAA Tournament hopes and serve as the defining moment of its season.

With Auburn’s elite defense and balanced offense going up against Arkansas’ desperation, this game has all the ingredients for a compelling SEC showdown.

Tip-Off: Wednesday, 9 PM ET
Location: Neville Arena, Auburn, AL
TV: ESPN

Can Auburn extend its winning streak, or will Arkansas pull off a season-changing upset? The stakes could not be higher.

Auburn Tigers vs Arkansas Razorbacks Picks and Predictions February 19th 2025