Arkansas Advances to Sweet 16 with Win Over High Point

Razorbacks will face either Arizona or Utah State in next round of NCAA Tournament

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:33am

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The Arkansas basketball team defeated High Point 86-83 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Darius Acuff Jr. led the Razorbacks with 36 points, while Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, and Malique Ewin also scored in double figures. Arkansas will face either Arizona or Utah State in the next round, which will be played on Thursday in San Jose, California.

Why it matters

This is Arkansas' fifth Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last six years, continuing the program's recent success under head coach John Calipari. Advancing to the Sweet Sixteen is a significant milestone for the team and its fans, as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

The game was tied at 83 with 3:19 remaining when Acuff scored seven straight points to give Arkansas the lead. Pairs of free throws by Ewin and Acuff sealed the victory for the Razorbacks. Arkansas will now face either the 1-seed Arizona Wildcats or the upstart Utah State Aggies in the Sweet Sixteen.

  • The game was played on March 23, 2026 in San Diego, California.
  • The Sweet Sixteen matchup will take place on Thursday in San Jose, California.

The players

Darius Acuff Jr.

The junior guard led Arkansas with 36 points in the win over High Point.

Meleek Thomas

The sophomore forward scored 19 points for the Razorbacks.

Billy Richmond III

The junior guard contributed 15 points in the victory.

Malique Ewin

The senior forward added 14 points and key free throws down the stretch.

John Calipari

The head coach has led Arkansas to the Sweet Sixteen for the second year in a row.

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What’s next

Tip time and broadcast information for Arkansas' Sweet Sixteen matchup will be announced later. The game will be played at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, on Thursday.

The takeaway

Arkansas' continued success in the NCAA Tournament under Coach Calipari demonstrates the program's ability to compete at the highest level year after year. The Razorbacks will look to pull off an upset in the Sweet Sixteen as they aim to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in six seasons.