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How MSU’s Next Opponent, Arkansas, Looked in its Season Opener

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How MSU’s Next Opponent, Arkansas, Looked in its Season Opener


Michigan State basketball got off to a shaky start on Monday, using a late run to fend of Colgate in an 80-69 win. After the game, head coach Tom Izzo said his team would get “embarrassed” in their next game if they do not play better.

That next game for the 22nd-ranked Spartans is against No. 14 Arkansas. This will be the first ranked-versus-ranked non-conference game in the Breslin Center since No. 11 MSU faced No. 10 Duke on Dec. 3, 2019.

Darius Acuff Jr

Oct 27, 2025; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) handles the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images / Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Looking at the Razorbacks, big, sweeping statements are never great to be made after Game 1, but Arkansas looked like a stronger team than last year’s during its season opener. On Monday, the Razorbacks crushed Southern, 109-77, to reach 1-0.

During the first year of the John Calipari era, Arkansas was a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament, reached the Sweet 16, but blew a 13-point lead with less than five minutes left against Texas Tech with an Elite Eight spot at stake.

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Trevon Brazil

Oct 27, 2025; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (7) huddles with teammates during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images / Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Scoring 109 points in a college basketball game is always tough. Southern is not exactly an opponent that spooks many power-conference teams, but the Jaguars are actually the top-ranked team in the SWAC on KenPom and are a couple of spots above Colgate.

Three different Razorbacks scored at least 20 points, two of whom were freshmen guards. A senior forward, Trevon Brazile, led the team with a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Both freshmen entered as five-star recruits as part of Calipari’s 5th-ranked class, according to 247Sports. Darius Acuff Jr. had a monster first half, scoring 20 of his 22 points on the day during the initial 20 minutes.

Meleek Thomas had 21 points, seven assists, and three steals during his collegiate debut.

Meleek Thoma

Oct 24, 2025; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas (1) defends during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 89-61. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

The other Razorback with 10+ points was another freshman, Isaiah Sealy. He was a four-star recruit in Arkansas’ latest recruiting class.

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Calipari’s squad nearly led this game wire-to-wire. Southern’s only lead was 2-0, and Arkansas was up by at least 10 during the final 31:31 of game time. The Razorbacks certainly played like a team that deserves, at the very least, their No. 14 ranking.

A quick thing that stands out is that Arkansas looks like a good shot-making team that also has some athleticism. Acuff made some impressive shots during his 22-point day, including a few from deep.

Brazile against MSU’s Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper will also be a critical matchup, as he is a lob threat every time the Razorbacks push the ball up the court. His rebounding will also be a factor.

Trevon Brazil

Oct 27, 2025; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (7) dunks the ball against Memphis Tigers guard Sincere Parker (23) during the second half at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images / Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on MSU’s upcoming game against Arkansas when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don’t forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.



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Arkansas

Men’s Tennis Goes 1-1 in Texas on Sunday

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Men’s Tennis Goes 1-1 in Texas on Sunday


The No. 36 Arkansas men’s tennis team had a pair of matches in Austin on Sunday to close out a Texas road trip and the Hogs went 1-1 in the outings.

The Razorbacks (15-10, 3-8) started the day with a 4-0 loss to No. 3 Texas (18-6, 9-2). The Longhorns’ Kalin Ivanovski and Abel Forger defeated No. 64 Connor Smillie and Jakub Vrba 6-3 to start doubles. No. 23 Sebastian Gorzny and Lucas Marionneau then took down Brendan Boland and Dmitry Kopilevich 6-1, and Texas claimed the doubles point.

In singles, No. 90 Abel Forger quickly won over Arsène Pogault on court four at 6-1, 6-1. Oliver Ojakaar made it 3-0 Texas with a 6-4, 6-1 takedown of Gabriel Elicha Navas, and Lucas Marionneau sealed the sweep for the home team with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Brendan Boland.

Against the University of Incarnate Word (10-3, 2-0) later in the day, two of Arkansas’ doubles pairings won: Vrba and Smillie 7-5 over Santiago Flyckt and Marcel Moralles and Boland and Kopilevich 6-3 over Alexandre Chauvel and Alejandro Hernandez. Lukas Palovic and Eric Padgham were also up 6-5 over Augustin Salazar and Emilio Vila.

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The Hogs continued to dominate in singles as No. 18 Vrba defeated Vila 6-4, 6-3, Kopilevich won 6-1, 6-1 over Salazar and Smillie took down Christian Cuellar 6-0, 6-4 for a 4-0 clean sweep to close out the day.

The Razorbacks return to action at home on Thursday, April 2 with an SEC matchup against Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m.

For the latest information on all things Arkansas Men’s Tennis, follow the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Men’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackMTennis).



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Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Midweek Rain Chances

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Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Midweek Rain Chances


We’ve got clouds to start out this Sunday with temperatures on the cool side. Once clouds exit, which should be later this afternoon, temperatures will warm into the 70s.

We’ll be back into the 80s both tomorrow and Tuesday. Dry conditions will continue through the next couple of days with a high wildfire danger persisting statewide.

Rain chances return midweek, with Wednesday through Friday bringing what could be a meaningful rainfall. Rainfall amounts are still uncertain, but we’re getting closer to pinpointing that. Stay tuned for updates!

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Renegade wins 2026 Arkansas Derby

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Renegade wins 2026 Arkansas Derby


HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — After a hotly contested race, Renegade emerged as the winner of the 2026 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on Saturday.

The horse is owned by Robert & Lawana L. Low and Repole Stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Renegade entered the race with 3/2 odds to win.

Silent Tactic finished in second place and Taptastic took home third.

In addition to his share of the $1.5 million purse, Renegade also earned points toward the Kentucky Derby.

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