Arkansas Faces Depth Issues Against Hawai'i With Nick Pringle Injury

Razorbacks' frontcourt depth could be tested if senior forward is unable to play in NCAA Tournament opener

Mar. 19, 2026 at 11:19am

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The Arkansas Razorbacks could be shorthanded in their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Hawai'i, as senior forward Nick Pringle is questionable to play due to an injury. Pringle's potential absence would leave the Razorbacks with just seven players in their regular rotation, putting pressure on their frontcourt depth against Hawai'i's tall, shooting big men.

Why it matters

Arkansas has already been dealing with depth issues this season, and the potential loss of Pringle would further deplete their frontcourt options. This could play into the hands of Hawai'i, who is known for their size and shooting ability in the frontcourt, potentially creating matchup problems for the undermanned Razorbacks.

The details

Pringle participated only lightly in the team's open practice on Wednesday, raising doubts about his availability for the first-round game. If he is unable to play, it is likely that sophomore Malique Ewin will get the start in his place. Ewin has been a solid contributor off the bench, averaging 9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, but the Razorbacks would still be at a significant size disadvantage against Hawai'i's tall, skilled frontcourt.

  • The NCAA Tournament first round tips off on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • Arkansas and Hawai'i are scheduled to play at 4:25 pm ET on Thursday in Portland, Oregon.

The players

Nick Pringle

A senior forward for the Arkansas Razorbacks who has started 33 of 34 games this season, averaging 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Malique Ewin

A sophomore forward for the Arkansas Razorbacks who has been a key contributor off the bench, averaging 9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

John Calipari

The head coach of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors, who has praised his team's size and shooting ability in the frontcourt.

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What they’re saying

“They're not only big, they can shoot it. Now you've got bigs that can shoot the ball that are long, that are 7-foot tall. It's also our guards understanding how they play. I watched a lot of tape. They're really good. They play their way. Offensively they run great stuff. They play through bigs.”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors

What’s next

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