Arkansas
Calipari getting players creating big expectations
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Expectations for Arkansas in John Calipari’s first year are going to be off the charts compared to what Hog fans are used to seeing. They have been high the last few years under Eric Musselman, but this is going to keep climbing, apparently.
Another preseason ranking came out Wednesday and Gary Parrish of CBS Sports has the Razorbacks on a track to be close to the Top 10. Yes, the team that had nobody when Calipari came to town in April is now at No. 13. That’s up a couple of spots after Trevon Brazile decided to come back. That likely played a huge role.
At Utah State last year, Parrish pointed out, Danny Sprinkle took over the program and rocketed them to a big season. He was named coach of the year. The question was asked if Calipari could do the same thing this year.
Razorback fans know all the details. Musselman bolted for USC and the Hogs shocked the basketball world by landing Calipari from a 15-year run at Kentucky where he had the Wildcats at this level every year. Now expectations may start to grow every year at Arkansas.
Brazile started 23 times last year, but only average 8.6 points a game and 5.9 rebounds. That was not what fans (or Musselman) had projected for him. It was part of a dysfunctional season for the Hogs that just kept spiraling downhill amid one wild bit of speculation after another all season. For whatever reason, Brazile hasn’t appeared to be the same since suffering a torn ACL against UNC-Greensboro in December 2022.
Whether they can stay at that level is going to depend on how they fare in an SEC that has seven teams ranked in the Top 25 with Alabama at No. 2. The Crimson Tide will come to Bud Walton Arena at some point (we don’t know when that’s going to be yet) and that will probably be a three-ring circus atmosphere under a couple of big tops.
Now Calipari has to round up the talent to match those expectations. He didn’t inherit anything, but it didn’t seem to particularly bother him as he’d already been recruiting a top-ranked class for the Wildcats and just talked them into following his program to a different town.
“Arkansas is still building, but has already done enough to crack the Top 15 of these rankings,” Parrish wrote.
He’s probably not done, either after getting Johnell Davis (FAU), DJ Wagner (Kentucky), Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee), Adou Thiero (Kentucky) and Zvonimir Ivisic (Kentucky), and heralded freshmen Boogie Fland, Karter Knox and Billy Richmond.
Other SEC teams in the rankings include Auburn (10), Texas A&M (11), Tennessee (14), Florida (21) and Texas (22). I’ll save you some searching because that’s now five league teams in the Top 15 of the rankings. It’s no longer just a football and baseball league.
Razorback fans’ expectations are only going higher now. Calipari isn’t complaining or dodging it. Nobody among the fans expected anything less.
HOGS FEED:
• Razorbacks book rematch with John Calipari’s familiar foe
• It’s Not Really Hard to Figure Out Razorback Coach’s Worst Off-Season
• How games turn out doesn’t affect appeal of sports for many Hogs’ fans
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Arkansas
Fog Lifts on Status of Razorbacks’ Injured Trio Ahead of Auburn Rematch
Love might be in the air when No. 21 Arkansas hosts Auburn for a Valentine’s Day clash Saturday night, but revenge will be on the menu.
The Razorbacks (18-6, 8-3 SEC) suffered their first conference loss when they faced the Tigers (14-10, 5-6 SEC) on the road back in January. It feels harsh to say a 22-point margin of defeat flattered the Hogs, but the game was even uglier than the 95-73 scoreline indicated.
Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari said afterwards there was “no way” for his team to win that game with how poorly they played and how well Auburn performed. Now back in the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena, the Hogs can get their get-back.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will be looking to get back in the win column after three straight losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Vanderbilt. Auburn basketball coach Steven Pearl even apologized after failing to defend home court against the Commodores on Tuesday.
Arkansas has won five of its last six games, most recently dominating back-to-back road games against Mississippi State and LSU.
That’s even more impressive considering the Hogs were without sophomore wing Karter Knox (knee) and junior guard DJ Wagner (ankle) for both contests. The shorthanded Razorbacks were able to make do against two opponents with a combined 5-17 mark in league play, but they’ll need to be back to full strength to feel good about this matchup.
Fortunately, a source indicated to Best of Arkansas Sports that Knox and Wagner are expected to play Saturday. Both returners have struggled this season, and it remains to be seen if their two-week absence can act as a fresh start or not. Big man Malique Ewin, who took a shot to the face Tuesday that required four stitches to fix up, should also be good to go.
The initial SEC availability report will be released Friday night, but that trio returning would be a major boon for Arkansas — especially considering the ways in which Auburn dominated the first matchup.
Scouting Auburn Basketball (Again)
As Arkansas fans know all too well, everything for the Tigers starts with Keyshawn Hall — the 6-foot-7 Swiss army knife hung 32 points on Arkansas last month. The senior is averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.6% from three. He accounts for nearly a quarter of Auburn’s scoring and is incredibly efficient inside the arc, as well, sinking 63.2% of his two-pointers.
Hall is a volume shooter who rebounds well for his position and draws fouls at a high clip (2.6 PF drawn per game). Arkansas cannot allow him clean catch-and-shoot rhythm or straight-line drives. Razorback defenders will have to body him up, contest everything and make him finish over length and through contact. That screams Billy Richmond III, but Knox’s return will also be a big help here.
The tone-setter in the backcourt is Tahaad Pettiford (6-foot-1). He’s averaging 14.1 points and 3.5 assists. Despite lackluster efficiency from behind the arc (26.5%), his 1.59 assist-to-turnover ratio shows he’s steady with the ball. Despite scoring just 8 points in Auburn’s earlier win, Pettiford tallied 7 assists and only two turnovers in under 30 minutes during the blowout.
Pettiford’s value is pace control, though he’s capable of electric scoring bursts. When he gets downhill, Auburn’s offense flows. This is where Wagner’s defensive presence at the point of attack will be vital.
Acuff should be able to attack offensively if he’s matched up with the smaller Pettiford, though Auburn will likely put a bigger body on Arkansas’ standout freshman.
KeShawn Murphy (6-foot-10) provides the physical interior backbone. He’s averaging 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting efficiently and stretching the floor at 36.7% from three on low volume. The senior averages 1.8 stocks (steals plus blocks), often swinging the momentum with his defensive presence.
Ewin, Nick Pringle and Trevon Brazile hosted a block party against LSU, but they’ll have their hands full in this contest and will have to stay out of foul trouble.
Kevin Overton (6-foot-5) is another dangerous complementary piece. He averages 12.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-leading 1.4 steals, shooting 36.5% from three.
Predicting Arkansas vs Auburn
Auburn plays fast and confident offensively, scoring at a high clip but giving up nearly 79 points per game. The Tigers rank 11th in offensive efficiency on KenPom but just 84th on defense. The Razorbacks are fifth and 42nd, respectively.
This is not an airtight defensive group — it’s a tempo-and-shotmaking team. Auburn scores in volume but isn’t dominant on the glass (29.4 rebounds per game), although the Razorbacks lost the rebounding battle by nine in the first matchup. Arkansas will have to be better on the boards and avoid live ball turnovers to dictate the game’s flow. The Hogs are 2-4 when outrebounded by five or more and 16-2 otherwise.
Even after consecutive blowout wins, complacency shouldn’t be a hindrance for Arkansas given the way the first matchup went. Arkansas has played connected, disciplined basketball with sharper defensive attention to detail in its last two outings. If that edge carries over, the Hogs flip the script.
Arkansas wins, 92-78.
How to Watch Arkansas vs Auburn
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Tipoff Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
ESPN BPI: Arkansas has a 65.6% chance to win and is favored by 4.0 points.
KenPom: Arkansas has a 72% chance to win, with a projected score of 87-80.
Odds/Betting Line: Arkansas, -7.5 | O/U 167.5 (BetSaracen)
Need a refresher on how the first matchup went? Here’s our recap of the Arkansas vs Auburn game on Jan. 10:
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More coverage of Arkansas basketball from BoAS:
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Arkansas
Arkansas Lottery Cash 3, Cash 4 winning numbers for Feb. 12, 2026
The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
Midday: 4-4-5
Evening: 4-6-5
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
Midday: 5-3-4-9
Evening: 1-8-9-6
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
10-12-24-32-35, Lucky Ball: 12
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from Feb. 12 drawing
02-24-25-32-37
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Arkansas
Two Arkansas men convicted on methamphetamine, cocaine conspiracies across multiple states
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A federal jury has convicted two Arkansas men and a California man involved in methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracies that spanned from California to Texas to Arkansas, involving multiple pounds of drugs.
The trial, spanning six days, ended Tuesday evening with guilty verdicts for 54-year-old Bruce McArthur Smith, of Hesperia, Calif., 54-year-old Kevin Langel, of Pine Bluff, and 71-year-old Larry Rogers, of Benton.
The three men were initially indicted in November 2022, with a federal grand jury returning a Superseding Indictment on January 6, 2026. Smith was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Langel and Rogers were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, with Langel’s charge involving more than five kilograms of cocaine and Rogers’ charge involving more than 500 grams, but less than five kilograms of cocaine.
Evidence proved the controlled substances being sold by the three men were ultimately purchased from 58-year-old Roderick Toney, of Little Rock.
Toney pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025, to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Toney is awaiting sentencing.
At the trial, the prosecution presented phone calls between Smith and Toney that detailed multiple methamphetamine transactions.
The investigation revealed that Smith knew individuals in Pine Bluff and came to Arkansas multiple times during the conspiracy period of 2020 through 2022.
Toney received a large amount of methamphetamine directly from Smith at an apartment complex in Little Rock several times during the period.
In June and July 2022, Toney was purchasing kilograms of Cocaine from Rogers.
Evidence detailed Toney and Rogers’ movements on July 14, 2022, when Rogers obtained money from a relative of Toney’s at a car wash, and proceeded to travel to a business on Geyer Springs Road in Little Rock, where he met Langel and obtained a kilogram of cocaine.
In addition to evidence that Langel was the source of supply of cocaine that Rogers obtained for Toney, the prosecution presented evidence that Langel was involved in numerous kilogram transactions of cocaine sourced from Houston and Dallas in late 2022 and early 2023.
All men were detained following the jury’s verdict and will be sentenced at a later time.
Smith and Langel’s conspiracy charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a minimum of five years’ supervised release to follow. Rogers’ charge carries a minimum of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, and four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
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