Arkansas Razorbacks' SEC Title Race Faces Uphill Climb

Despite being in second place, the Razorbacks face a tough remaining schedule that could derail their SEC title hopes.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team is in second place in the SEC standings, just one game behind the conference-leading Florida Gators. However, the Razorbacks' remaining schedule is extremely challenging, with tough road games against Alabama, Texas A&M, and Missouri, as well as a home matchup against Texas. Meanwhile, the Gators have an easier path to the SEC title, with games against struggling South Carolina and Ole Miss teams. The Razorbacks will need to navigate this difficult stretch and defeat the Gators in their head-to-head matchup to have a chance at winning the SEC regular season championship.

Why it matters

The SEC title race is shaping up to be a close battle between the Razorbacks and Gators, with the winner potentially earning a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas is looking to win its first SEC regular season championship since 2015, while Florida is seeking to defend its title as the defending national champions.

The details

The Razorbacks' remaining schedule includes a mid-week road game against an Alabama team that is determined to knock Arkansas out of the SEC title race, as well as tough matchups against Texas A&M and Missouri. Meanwhile, the Gators have an easier path, with games against struggling South Carolina and Ole Miss teams. The head-to-head matchup between Arkansas and Florida will be crucial in determining the SEC champion.

  • The Razorbacks and Gators are scheduled to play each other in the final game of the regular season on February 28, 2026.
  • The Razorbacks have a road game against Alabama on February 19, 2026.
  • The Razorbacks have home games against Texas on February 26, 2026 and Missouri on March 5, 2026.

The players

Todd Golden

The head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team.

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.

Labaron Philon, Jr.

A player for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.

Josh Hubbard

A veteran guard for the Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've gotta be a lot better on Wednesday because Arkansas is a lot more talented team than what we saw tonight.”

— Nate Oats, Alabama head coach

“First of all, you're playing well and you're trying to win the league. But it doesn't change how we approach anything. We're not going to talk about holding onto first place leading up to the South Carolina game. It really has nothing to do with that.”

— Todd Golden, Florida Gators head coach

What’s next

The Razorbacks will need to win their remaining games, including a crucial matchup against the Gators, in order to capture the SEC regular season title. The Gators will look to maintain their lead atop the standings and secure the conference championship.

The takeaway

The race for the SEC men's basketball title is shaping up to be a close battle between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Florida Gators. While the Razorbacks are in second place, their difficult remaining schedule could derail their title hopes, while the Gators have an easier path to the championship. The head-to-head matchup between the two teams will be a pivotal moment in determining the SEC regular season champion.