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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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Michael Main is a Fayetteville native who, like both of his older brothers, attended the University of Arkansas. Main graduated in 2025 with a double major in journalism and political science and a minor in legal studies. He spent his childhood following the Razorbacks closely and attending as many games as possible, witnessing iconic moments like the Michael Qualls put-back dunk, the Henry Heave and a number of field stormings. Main was a member of the Razorback Marching Band and Hogwild Pep Band, attending every home football and basketball game while he was a student and traveling to San Francisco, Providence, Tampa and elsewhere for postseason play. After freelancing for BoAS for a year and a half, the 22-year-old made the transition to a full-time role as senior writer following his graduation. In his free time, Main is likely spending time outdoors, enjoying the company of friends or feeding his obsession with Liverpool FC and European football as a whole.
This summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest boating celebrations of the decade. This year, tens of thousands of anglers, water skiers, kayakers and pleasure boaters will converge on Arkansas waters to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’s formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking everyone to boat responsibly and avoid situations that could ruin the celebration — namely, boating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Sgt. Sydney Grant, Game and Fish boating law administrator, said Arkansas game wardens will be on the water to increase safety and reduce boating accidents that result from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Boating while intoxicated can be even more dangerous than driving a car while intoxicated, as most boaters have less experience operating a boat. Boats also don’t have brakes and are slower to maneuver than cars. These slower reaction times to a sudden danger can be the difference between life and death.
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Grant adds that the effects of alcohol are magnified by the conditions that boating creates.
“Sun, heat, wind and wave action all intensify alcohol’s impact,” Grant said. “A person who normally wouldn’t feel much effect of one or two beers in an air-conditioned home may find themselves impaired by the same amount of alcohol on the water.”
Even passengers should pay attention to their consumption levels.
“Drinking too much can lead to a dangerous situation or poor decisions for anyone,” Grant said. “We’ve also caught many people who enjoyed a day on the water, but then got in a car for the ride home, still under the effect of alcohol. Practicing a little restraint during your boating day helps us make both the roadways and waterways of the state safer during this big family summer.
“If we didn’t have to give a single ticket this summer for intoxicated boating, I think every game warden in Arkansas would celebrate,” Grant said. “Our job is to make sure people can enjoy the water safely and come home with great stories from their trips. We’re not here to ruin the fun. We simply ask everyone to be responsible, avoid overindulging, and always make sure you have a sober boat operator and designated driver.”
The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, July 12, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 12 drawing
Evening: 7-0-6
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 12 drawing
Evening: 5-3-0-9
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from July 12 drawing
07-12-15-26-35
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 12 drawing
12-21-39-46-48, Bonus: 02
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Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
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.
