Arkansas
Arkansas Fans Should Love Latest 2027 NCAA Tournament Bracket Projection
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team is expected to contend for a top seed in the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
A year after winning the SEC Tournament Championship to earn a No. 4 seed in March Madness, the Razorbacks are loaded with a crop of 5-star freshmen and a portal class tailored to coach John Calipari’s liking.
When it comes to projecting how teams will finish the regular season, Arkansas is expected to be on the cusp of a top-four seed line once again. However, CBS Sports has the Razorbacks slotted as a 5-seed in the South Region and paired up against either Baylor or Virginia Tech, who are predicted for the expanded Dayton play-in games.
The NCAA Tournament selection committee hasn’t been kind to Arkansas as previous postseason trips sent them to Portland (2026), Providence (2025), and Buffalo (2022), Detroit (2018), Greenville (2017), Jacksonville (2015), Raleigh (2008) and Spokane (2007). All teams played around Indianapolis during the 2021 tournament which could be considered similar to the NBA’s “Bubble” during COVID.
South Region
1 Florida vs. 16 Howard/Jacksonville
8 BYU vs. 9 Indiana
5 Arkansas vs. 12 Baylor/Virginia Tech
4 St. John’s vs. 13 McNeese State
6 Texas Tech vs. 11 Saint Louis/SMU
3 Michigan State vs. 14 Western Kentucky
7 North Carolina vs. 10 Marquette
2 Arizona vs. 15 Tarleton State
Why Arkansas Fans Should Like This Draw
From a pure matchup standpoint, Arkansas would probably welcome a draw similar to this one.
The Razorbacks have built a roster designed around length, athleticism, versatility, and defense, which should allow them to match up favorably with most teams in the field.
While Florida would likely enter the tournament as one of the national title favorites, Arkansas has enough talent on paper to compete with anyone in the country, especially if Calipari’s young talent can rise to the occasion and match preseason expectations.
There won’t be an easy path through the South Region for a single team as Florida, Arizona, Michigan State, St. John’s and Texas Tech all enter the season with realistic championship expectations. That’s what makes this one of the deepest projected regions in the bracket.
The winner of this one will ultimately be battle tested with coaches who understand how to make deep runs in March. However, those same expectations surround Arkansas entering the season with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class combined with impact transfers who want to compete for a title.
If CBS Sports’ projection proves accurate nine months from now, Arkansas would have a realistic path to a third consecutive Sweet 16 and perhaps more. For a fanbase still chasing its second national championship, this is exactly the kind of regional the Razorbacks want and need to get there.
Teams Arkansas does miss this go around are Kansas, Duke, Houston, UConn, Michigan and Illinois, who are all teams expected to have reloaded again for next seaoson.
Regional Made for Television
There is potential for plenty of built-in storylines in the South Region as Florida was tabbed as the No. 1 seed and set to face the winner of Howard or Jacksonville.
The Gators won’t get away with an easy second round matchup though as BYU and Indiana are expected to be fairly competitive under a pair of second-year coaches Kevin Young and Darian Devries.
With a chance to get to the Elite Eight on the line, Arkansas will more than likely have to get past a well-coached Gators squad to advance. Since Calipari arrived at Arkansas, his team is 0-2 against Florida, including a 111-77 thumping in Gainesville to end February.
The Razorbacks could potentially have a rematch from the second round in 2025 against No. 4 seed St. John’s. Calipari got the best of his longtime coaching rival Rick Pitino and will once again have the chance to out-athlete the Red Storm with his team’s length and athleticism.
Other potential opponents for the Razorbacks include old Southwest Conference rival No. 6 seed Texas Tech, Calipari’s friend Tom Izzo at No. 3 seed Michigan State, former assistant coach Chuck Martin at No. 7 seed North Carolina and a possible rubber match against No. 2 seed Arizona.
Arkansas Invades DFW?
For Arkansas, Fort Worth would be about as close to Bud Walton-South as the NCAA Tournament can actually provide.
History says the Razorbacks routinely draw strong crowds while in Texas, and the combination of alumni, Razorback Foundation members and fans from across the Southwest could create a noticeable advantage if Arkansas were assigned to Dickies Arena.
Few fanbases in the SEC travel better for postseason basketball than Arkansas’, especially when the destination is within driving distance.
With the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games for the South Region being held at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, this could be as good a year as any for the Razorbacks to crash the party.
If Arkanas can potentially make it out of the Elite Eight for the first time since 1995, they will head to Detroit’s Ford Field for the Final Four.
While it’s only a June projection, Arkansas fans will surely spend the next few months analyzing and debating all possibilities. If Calipari’s freshmen develop as expected and the transfer additions mesh quickly, the road to Detroit may begin much closer to home than Razorback fans are accustomed to when the Field of 76 is released.
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Monday starts off quiet, but the cloud will grow this afternoon and thunderstorms will develop.
A couple isolated thunderstorms are possible by 2:00 p.m., but they will be more likely between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.. Thunderstorms will produce dangerous lightning, of course, and some may produce very strong wind gusts. Storms will carry into the evening, and should end in Central Arkansas by 10:00 p.m., but in South Arkansas they may last as late as Midnight.
Tuesday afternoon will bring a few more thunderstorms in the afternoon with the same threats. The rain and storm chance will drop even lower on Wednesday.
Then, with no rain or storms in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, it will be just plain old hot!
Rain and thunderstorm chances will return over the weekend.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Here are the biggest stories you might have missed in the week of June 28-July 4.
1. Arkansas SNAP ban on soda and candy takes effect under Sanders waiver
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1. (PHOTO: KATV)
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1.
Under the waiver, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to soft drinks, including low- and no-calorie sodas, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, candy, and other “unhealthy beverages.”
The Governor’s office claims the SNAP reform plan is the first of its kind in the nation, calling it an attempt to restore food stamps’ focus on nutrition.
CLICK HERE for full story.
2. Republican Party of Arkansas files FEC complaint against Chris Jones campaign
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (PHOTO: KATV)
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The complaint alleges that yard signs promoting “Chris Jones for Congress” failed to include the disclaimer “Paid for by The Committee to Elect Chris Jones” in the correct format. Under federal election law and FEC regulations, any printed campaign materials are required to have disclaimers inside a printed box away from the other contents of the communication.
The complaint also includes an image of Jones’ online campaign store which sells a yard sign with the correct disclaimer.
CLICK HERE for full story.
3. Riceland sounds alarm on farm crisis, weighs permanent closure of drying facilities
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening. (PHOTO: KATV)
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening.
Just over a week ago, Riceland announced that it would temporarily close 38 percent of its rice drying facilities because of a nearly 40 percent drop in rice planted this year. Now, the co-op says it’s forced to consider permanent closures and layoffs.
“We’re not in a posture right now where we’re ready to announce the number,” said Ben Noble, Riceland Foods executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As we look real closely at what the signup is and how much rice we’re actually going to get beyond just estimates, of course, we’re going to have to evaluate. Do we have enough supply and demand to match our assets? And we may have to face some tough decisions in the future.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
4. Dad reportedly forgets he didn’t drop toddler off at daycare, finds him dead in backseat
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle. (PHOTO: File)
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle.
According to a statement issued by police on X at 8:40 p.m. on Monday, June 29, a toddler was found dead inside a vehicle Monday outside a Plantation preschool, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Plantation Police and Fire Department and Plantation Fire Department responded at about 5:39 p.m. Monday to A World of Discovery Academy after receiving a report of a deceased child inside a vehicle.
CLICK HERE for full story.
5. Arkansas SNAP gets hard stop on soda, candy, soft drinks – off the table starting July 1
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it.
Arkansas is rolling out new restrictions on SNAP purchases, banning the use of food assistance benefits for soda, candy, and certain sugary drinks. That includes both traditional and diet sodas, along with fruit and vegetable drinks that contain less than 50 percent natural juice.
State leaders say the move is aimed at steering families toward healthier choices and reducing access to heavily processed foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The change follows a federal waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, setting the policy to take effect July 1, 2026.
CLICK HERE for full story.
6. Malvern School District mourns death of rising high school senior Kai Reed
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed. (PHOTO: Malvern School District Facebook)
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed.
In a statement posted to Facebook, district officials says they were heartbroken by the loss of Reed and extended their condolences to his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and loved ones.
“The Malvern School District extends its deepest condolences to Kai’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the days ahead,” the post said. “The loss of a young person affects an entire community.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
7. Hayward Finks selected to serve as North Little Rock police chief
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief. (PHOTO: City of Little Rock)
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief.
Officials say that Chief Hayward Finks, who was selected by North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick to serve as the city’s next Chief of Police, will be introduced on Jul. 6.
“We are honored to have Chief Finks serve as Chief of Police for our city. He is a proven, professional leader with uncompromising devotion to customer service and community safety. I believe he is an exemplary choice as our next police chief,” said Hartwick.
CLICK HERE for full story.
Arkansas
A WORD | July 5: Arkansas’ own little game likes to play with your brain | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Kelly Brant
Kelly Brant is an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette style editor and columnist focused on food and cooking. She has been at the newspaper since 1996, and has been an editor since 2009. Kelly is also the official Obfuscator of the paper’s weekly word game, A Word.
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