No. 21 Arkansas Rides Depth Into SEC Matchup With LSU

Razorbacks look to bounce back from loss to Kentucky as they face struggling Tigers

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers in a Southeastern Conference matchup. Arkansas has won four of its last five games and sits just one game behind conference-leading Florida, despite dealing with injuries to key players. LSU, on the other hand, has struggled with inconsistency this season and is looking to string together consecutive SEC wins for the first time.

Why it matters

This game is an important one for both teams as they jockey for position in the competitive SEC standings. Arkansas is looking to maintain its spot near the top of the conference, while LSU is hoping to turn its season around and make a late push for a postseason berth.

The details

Arkansas has been able to rely on its depth to overcome the absences of injured guards D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox. Freshman Isaiah Sealy and sophomore Billy Richmond III stepped up in the Razorbacks' most recent win over Mississippi State. LSU, meanwhile, has been plagued by inconsistency, including blowing a 15-point lead in its last game against Georgia. The Tigers' leading scorer, Dedan Thomas Jr., has missed significant time due to a lower-leg injury, and his status for Tuesday's game is uncertain.

  • Arkansas defeated LSU 85-81 on January 24, 2026.
  • Arkansas' most recent loss came against Kentucky on January 31, 2026.
  • Arkansas defeated Mississippi State 88-68 on February 4, 2026.

The players

Nick Pringle

An Arkansas forward who said the team's depth allows them to overcome injuries to key players.

Isaiah Sealy

An Arkansas freshman who played a career-high 15 minutes and contributed six points, three blocks, two assists and one rebound in the win over Mississippi State.

Billy Richmond III

An Arkansas sophomore who made his first start in three weeks and tied his SEC career high with 14 points against Mississippi State.

Dedan Thomas Jr.

LSU's starting point guard who leads the team in scoring and assists, but has missed seven of 10 SEC games due to a lower-leg injury.

Marquel Sutton

An LSU forward who had 14 points as one of just two double-figure scorers in the Tigers' loss to Georgia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We know we're a deep team, so when we've got a guy out, next man up.”

— Nick Pringle, Arkansas forward

“He was ready. He'd been locked in all week.”

— Nick Pringle, Arkansas forward

“We can't separate. We've got to stay together as a group, as a team, just like we've been doing all season.”

— Marquel Sutton, LSU forward

What’s next

The status of LSU's leading scorer, Dedan Thomas Jr., will be a key factor in determining the outcome of this game. If he is able to return from his lower-leg injury, it could provide a significant boost for the Tigers as they look to upset the ranked Razorbacks.

The takeaway

This game showcases the depth and resilience of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who have been able to overcome injuries to key players and remain near the top of the SEC standings. Meanwhile, LSU's struggles with inconsistency and injuries have hindered its ability to string together wins, making this a crucial game for the Tigers as they try to turn their season around.