John Calipari earns 900th win as Arkansas Razorbacks top Missouri Tigers in OT

Arkansas needed extra time, but the #20/19 Razorbacks defeated Missouri to give head coach John Calipari his 900th career victory.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The #20/19 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Missouri Tigers 88-84 in overtime, giving head coach John Calipari his 900th career win. Calipari is just the fifth Division I coach to reach 900 wins, doing so in his 34th season. Arkansas played without star player Darius Acuff Jr. but got big performances from Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile, and Malique Ewin to secure the victory in overtime.

Why it matters

Reaching 900 career wins is an incredible milestone for any college basketball coach, cementing John Calipari's legacy as one of the all-time greats. The win also keeps Arkansas in contention for a high seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run.

The details

In the overtime period, Trevon Brazile hit a crucial 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to give Arkansas a 2-point lead. Malique Ewin then made four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory for the Razorbacks. Freshman Meleek Thomas led Arkansas with a career-high 28 points, while Brazile added 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Missouri was paced by Mark Mitchell's 32 points.

  • Arkansas played the game on March 8, 2026.
  • John Calipari turned 67 years old on February 10, 2026.
  • The win was Calipari's 900th career victory as a head coach.

The players

John Calipari

The head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who earned his 900th career win with the victory over Missouri.

Darius Acuff Jr.

The Arkansas Razorbacks' National Player of the Year candidate, who missed the game due to an ankle injury.

Trevon Brazile

An Arkansas player who hit a crucial 3-pointer in overtime to give the Razorbacks the lead.

Malique Ewin

An Arkansas player who made four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory for the Razorbacks.

Meleek Thomas

A freshman Arkansas player who led the team with a career-high 28 points.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Arkansas will play in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament in Nashville on Friday, where they will be either the 2 or 3 seed.

The takeaway

John Calipari's 900th career win is a testament to his sustained excellence as a college basketball coach over the past 34 years. The victory also keeps Arkansas in contention for a high seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run and potentially secure an NCAA Tournament berth.