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.
Scott Minor, 45, of Elm Street in Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested Friday on suspicion of computer child pornography and sexually grooming a child. Minor was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,000 bond set.
Bentonville
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Damond Drake, 52, of West Highland Drive in Rogers was arrested Saturday on suspicion of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine. Drake was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.
Fayetteville
Cornelius Anderson, 33, of Dawn Street in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. Anderson remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.
Eduard Korshakov, 37, of Prairie Dunes Trail in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree domestic battery and interference with emergency communications. Korshakov remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Efrain Quiroz, 29, of North Shamblin Avenue in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree battery and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Quiroz remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.
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Leo Ward, 21, of West Tanner Drive in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of aggravated residential burglary and stalking. Ward was released from the Washington County Detention Center Monday on $25,000 bond.
Rogers
John Jenkins, 21, of Arkansas 351 in Jonesboro was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit/debit card. Jenkins was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.
Springdale
Ashlyn Neal, 19, of Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, second-degree battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operations. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.
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Jose Neal, 37, of South Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree domestic battery, third-degree domestic battery, interference with emergency communications and resisting arrest. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.
Skyler Shane, 31, of Highway 62 in Westville, Ok., was arrested Sunday on suspicion of Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, carrying a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. Shane was released from the Washington County Detention Center Sunday on $3,500 bond.
University of Arkansas Police Department
Celso Adame-Gallegos, 19 of Jade Street in Springdale was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. Adame-Gallegos was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas leaders are set to take the stage at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon for an announcement already drawing statewide attention.
At 1 p.m., Sarah Huckabee Sanders will appear alongside Erika Kirk, the chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA, at the Arkansas State Capitol.
While officials with the governor’s office have not yet released details about the announcement, the joint appearance is expected to draw significant attention from political leaders and supporters across the state.
The moment also brings renewed focus to the legacy of Erika Kirk’s late husband, Charlie Kirk, a nationally recognized conservative activist who built one of the country’s largest student political organizations aimed at mobilizing young voters on college campuses.
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In 2025, Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Authorities say the gunfire erupted during a gathering connected to student political programming, sending attendees scrambling for safety.
Kirk was rushed from the scene but later died from his injuries, sparking shock and an outpouring of reaction from political leaders, students, and supporters across the country.
In the weeks that followed, memorials and tributes appeared nationwide. In Arkansas, supporters and lawmakers honored Kirk’s life and work with a memorial exhibit displayed inside the Arkansas State Capitol, recognizing the influence he had on conservative youth activism and campus politics.
Following his death, Erika Kirk stepped into a leadership role at Turning Point USA, pledging to continue the organization’s mission and expand its outreach to students across the nation.
On Wednesday, Kirk will again be at the Arkansas State Capitol, this time standing beside Governor Sanders for a joint announcement, as leaders gather and the state waits to learn what the two will unveil.
FAYETTEVILLE — The ninth-ranked Arkansas baseball offense was tamed Sunday by Stetson junior right-hander Trace Hartman.
Hartman allowed a run in the first inning but held down the Razorbacks for the rest of his 6 2/3-inning start, and the Hatters won 4-1 at Baum-Walker Stadium. Arkansas (12-4) had a five-game winning streak snapped.
The Razorbacks had chances against Hartman. They put the leadoff batter on base against him in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings, but they could not come through with the big hit. Arkansas finished the game 1 for 16 with runners on base and 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
“Hartman just kept finding a way,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’d get behind in the count and he’d come back — 3-2, 3-1 and he’d get you out. He just pitched. Give credit to him. He did a good job.”
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Stetson (6-10) snapped its three-game losing streak and gave itself a chance to split the series with a win in Monday’s series finale. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
Hartman, a former NCAA Division II standout at University of Charleston (W. Va.) who entered the game with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, scattered 5 hits and 4 walks, and struck out 3 during his 101-pitch outing.
“I was getting the fastball across the plate,” Hartman said, “really just challenging the hitters and making them get themselves out.”
MORE FROM WHOLEHOGSPORTS: Notes, observations from 4-1 loss to Stetson
Stetson homered twice against Arkansas starting pitcher Colin Fisher in the fourth inning to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Left fielder Foster Apple led off the inning with a home run to left field to tie the game 1-1.
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After a throwing error by Arkansas shortstop Carson Brumbaugh and a 1-out double by Stetson shortstop Landon Russell, right fielder Jayden Hylton hit a 3-run homer to left to give the Hatters the lead for good.
Stetson players celebrate with right fielder Jayden Hylton (17) after he hit a home run during a game against Arkansas on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
It was the third home run of the season for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Hylton, who Stetson coach Steve Trimper said before the series was likely the team’s best pro prospect.
“When Jayden gets hot he can be really good,” Trimper said. “He’s had kind of a roller coaster start to this [season]. He’s one of our better players and he just hung a breaking ball to him on that.
“Foster, he just hit a good pitch. That was a ball that the pitcher was doing a great job and he just got his hands inside the ball and was able to turn on it enough to where the wind — the only place the wind was out today, I think, was kind of down that left-field line.”
Three of the runs were earned against Fisher, who had not allowed an earned run in 22 innings prior to the fourth. It was the second-longest stretch without an earned run during Van Horn’s 24-year tenure. Barrett Astin threw 22 2/3 innings without an earned run to begin the 2012 season during the dead-bat era.
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Van Horn said Fisher was not as sharp as his recent outings. He gave up leadoff singles to Juan De La Cruz in the first inning and Paul Napolitano in the third, but he worked out of the jams.
Fisher struck out Yohann Dessureault with three consecutive curveballs in the first inning, and Renzo Gonzalez hit into an inning-ending double play in the third.
“You could kind of tell early that he was either going to have to get better [and] he was going to have to recover,” Van Horn said. “We were hoping after maybe the second inning he would like make a jump and start pitching better, but it really just kind of stayed the same.”
Fisher allowed 4 runs (3 earned) and 6 hits and struck out 4 during his 4-inning, 69-pitch start.
The Razorbacks plated a run quickly against Hartman in the first inning when Damian Ruiz led off with a double and scored on Camden Kozeal’s 1-out double.
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But there was little pressure on Hartman from that time until he left the game with runners on the corners in the seventh. Right-hander Andrew Lepine replaced Hartman and got Ruiz to ground into a force play at second base to end the seventh.
Arkansas second baseman Camden Kozeal (8) flips to shortstop Carson Brumbaugh to start a double play during a game against Stetson on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
Kozeal said the Razorbacks should have been more aggressive offensively.
“Maybe guys [were] taking it off a little bit 1 through 9,” Kozeal said. “We’ve got to have an aggressive lineup 1 through 9, trying to hit the ball hard.”
Lepine worked around a leadoff walk by Ryder Helfrick in the eighth and a 2-out walk by Carter Rutenbar in the ninth. His 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work Sunday followed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Razorbacks on Friday.
Trimper called Lepine “a really tricky guy” and a true submariner.
“We got our little sinker baller, sidearmer to come in and get ground balls,” Trimper said.
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Stetson out-hit Arkansas 7-5. De La Cruz and Russell both had 2 hits for the Hatters, and Ruiz and Maika Niu both had 2 hits for the Razorbacks.
Cole Gibler did not allow a hit and worked around 2 walks and Brumbaugh’s second throwing error in 3 scoreless innings. Ethan McElvain pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings.
