It is amazing how often Texas Tech and Arkansas seem to cross paths in the sports realm. Though the two haven't been conference brethren since the early 1990s, it seems like they are destined to meet up rather often and with quite a bit on the line.
Of course, the 2024 football season ended with the two universities playing in the Liberty Bowl. Unfortunately, that wound up being a 39-26 win for the Hogs. It was the 38th time that the two programs have met, with Arkansas holding a commanding 30-8 lead in the series.
It was also the third time since 2014 that Tech and Arkansas have played in football. What's more, the two are currently scheduled for a home-and-home series in 2030-31.
In baseball, the schools met last season for two mid-week games in Arkansas. The Razorbacks won both by a run.
On the diamond, Tech and Arkansas have met 54 times, with the Razorbacks winning 49 of those matchups. The two have even met twice at the College World Series, with Arkansas winning 7-4 in 2018 and Tech prevailing 5-4 in 2019.
Now, the programs will meet for the 81st time on the basketball court tonight with the winner not only taking a one-game lead in the series but, more importantly, taking another step toward reaching the Final Four. It will be their first meeting since Arkansas eliminated Tech from the 2021 NCAA Tournament, 68-66, in the second round. So, as we count down the hours until this late tipoff in San Francisco, let's take a deeper look at the Razorbacks to see how they match up with the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech will have to find a way to deal with Arkansas' elite size in the post
In the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Tech didn't have to face an opponent that had a tremendous size advantage in the paint. That will change tonight, though, as the Razorbacks will have a massive height advantage.
According to BMVSports.com, Arkansas is the seventh-tallest team of the 68 that made the NCAA Tournament. Their average height is 6-foot-5.5 inches.
Meanwhile, Tech is just tied for the 57th-tallest in the field. The Red Raiders average just 6-foot-3.8 inches across the board.
Zvonimir Ivisic is Arkansas' tallest player at 7-foot-2. He averages 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 19.3 minutes of action.
Trevon Brazile is a 6-foot-10 forward who averages 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Adou Thiero is a 6-foot-8 forward who puts up a team-high 15.6 points per game. However, his status for tonight is in question due to a knee injury that has kept him out since February 22.
Aside from Thiero (when he is at 100%), none of the Arkansas big men are considered dominant. However, the Hogs do block 5.7 shots per game, which is fourth in the country. Thus, it will be interesting to see if the Red Raiders can combat their size in the paint, especially when players such as JT Toppin and Darrion Williams try to score around the rim.
Texas Tech could have an edge from the 3-point line
Now, let's look at an area where the Red Raiders might have an edge tonight, the 3-point line. That's where Arkansas is not a prolific team.
In fact, the 3-point shot simply isn't a huge part of Arkansas' attack. They average just 21.4 attempts per game, 231st in the nation.
Meanwhile, the Razorbacks shoot only 32.4% as a team from beyond the arc. That's good for just 265th in the country. Additionally, their 6.9 makes from deep per game rank 262nd in the NCAA.
Johnell Davis, a senior guard, is their leading 3-point shooter in terms of makes. He's knocked down 54 3s this season. Interestingly, though, the big man, Ivisic, is their best shooter in terms of percentage at 37.9%. He averages 1.4 makes per game.
On the other hand, the Razorbacks do a good job of defending the 3-point line. They allow teams to shoot just 31.6% from deep, which is 68th best in Division I.
Still, this is an area where Tech must have an edge tonight. Tech has far more 3-point snipers on its roster, but in the first two rounds of the tournament, neither Tech nor Arkansas has shot it well from long distance. Thus, the team that gets the hottest from the outside might be the one that prevails in this contest.
Texas Tech just control the pace of play against Arkansas
Finally, Arkansas is a team that wants to push the pace. That's why it will be imperative that the Red Raiders are the team that controls the style of play.
This season, the Razorbacks have averaged 12.5 fast-break points per game. That's good for 55th in the country.
Many of Arkansas' fast-break opportunities are generated by blocked shots. In those instances, the other team is often unable to scramble back and get its defense set, allowing for easier shot attempts for the Razorbacks.
Of course, limiting fast-break points is also done by keeping the turnovers low, especially live-ball turnovers. Tech has been excellent in that aspect of the game in the NCAA Tournament.
In round one, the Red Raiders gave the ball away just seven times against UNCW. Then, in round two, they turned it over only five times against a really stout Drake defense.
For what it's worth, Arkansas is merely average when it comes to turning opponents over. They generate 12.3 per game, which is 145th in the country.
Tonight, Tech point guard Elijah Hawkins could be a difference-maker given his ability to take care of the ball and then distribute it to teammates. That's one aspect of the game to pay close attention to as this Sweet 16 matchup unfolds.