PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament is an opportunity for Arkansas basketball to erase all of the struggles from earlier this season. Wins in March will ensure John Calipari’s first campaign in Fayetteville is remembered fondly, even after an 0-5 start in the SEC.

But it’s also a chance for a contingent of former Kentucky Wildcats to grasp some closure off last year’s disappointment. D.J. Wagner, Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero were stunned by 14-seed Oakland last year, which paved the rocky road for Calipari to leave Kentucky and join the Razorbacks (20-13).

Thiero won’t play Thursday against No. 7 Kansas (21-12) in the first round, but Wagner and Ivisic will suit up for No. 10 Arkansas. They might be wearing different colors this spring, but they can’t forget the hurt that came with last year’s early exit.

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“For me personally, it was very painful. That wasn’t the plan to lose. That’s never the plan, though, to lose, especially in the first round and stuff like that,” Wagner said. “I’m just happy to be back, happy to have another opportunity and another go at it, and now I know you can’t take anything lightly or take anything for granted.”

Wagner, Ivisic and Thiero combined for five points in the loss to Oakland. They made just two shots, with Wagner going 0 for 5. Ivisic had three turnovers.

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Neither player is hiding from last year’s disappointment. They know it’s a talking point as they prepare for another trip to the big dance, but the past struggles aren’t worth a discussion inside the Arkansas locker room.

“Tonight, maybe we’ll talk about it after we go over film,” Ivisic said. “You know, we don’t even have to say anything. We know what time it is.”

But not every player on the Arkansas roster is scarred by early exits.

Jonas Aidoo reached the Elite Eight last season with Tennessee, and Johnell Davis is two years removed from being the leading scorer on a Florida Atlantic team that reached the Final Four. Even with their veteran experience, Arkansas is one of the youngest teams in the field. Aidoo and Davis are embracing a mentorship role in Providence.

“I’m just trying to tell them how hard it is,” Davis said. “We got to take every game serious. Every moment matters.”

Wagner and Ivisic have first-hand experience on the difficulties of March. They want a longer run this time with the Hogs.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.