Preview of the Round of 32

Arkansas vs St. John’s is a battle again for Coach Calipari and the Hogs against another legendary coach. The second matchup in 3 days against two of the greatest coaches in basketball. Calipari and the hogs hung on despite struggling against the zone against Kansas. Now taking on St. John’s, the 2 seed in the region, will be a formidable task.

Arkansas enters with a 21-13 record (9-11 SEC), fresh off a 79-72 upset over Kansas in the first round. The Razorbacks showcased resilience, erasing a late deficit with 22 points from Jonas Aidoo and 18 from Johnell Davis. They average 76.7 points per game, ranking seventh in the SEC with 14.4 assists, led by D.J. Wagner’s 3.6. Defensively, they allow 71.2 points, a mark they’ll need to improve against St. John’s. Their 4-1 moneyline record as underdogs in their last five games signals a team peaking at the right time.

St. John’s, a No. 2 seed with a 31-4 record (21-2 Big East), dominated Omaha 83-53 in their opener. RJ Luis led with 22 points and eight rebounds, while the Red Storm shot 37% from three and clamped down defensively, holding Omaha to 53 points. They boast the nation’s top adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing just 65.5 points per game, and score 78.8 points offensively. Their 10-game win streak (7-3 ATS) and 75.3% implied win probability (per the -300 moneyline) make them favorites.

However, Arkansas’s size and depth could exploit St. John’s vulnerabilities. Aidoo, at 6’11”, anchors a frontcourt that averages strong rebounding numbers—key against a St. John’s team that struggles on the defensive glass when facing physical bigs. Calipari’s squad thrives in transition, where their 76.7 points per game could punish St. John’s press if they break it cleanly. The Razorbacks’ 14.4 assists reflect a cohesive offense that can counter Pitino’s pressure with quick, smart passing.

St. John’s relies heavily on forcing turnovers (their press is lethal), but Arkansas’s SEC-tested guards—Wagner, Davis, and now Boogie Fland—have the poise to limit mistakes. The Red Storm’s 3-4 record in one-possession games hints at cracks under pressure, while Arkansas’s 3-3 as a +245 or greater underdog shows they embrace the fight. St. John’s 7.5-point spread (-7.5) and 144.5 over/under suggest a tight, low-scoring affair, but Arkansas’s physicality could flip the script.

A win here would be massive. For the program, the state, and even personally for Coach Calipari. Who doesn’t want to have bragging rights over their peers? The Razorbacks, if they come out composed, can speed the game up defensively and find ways to score. Woo pig Sooie.