Providence, R.I. – In a thrilling opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night, the Arkansas Razorbacks emerged victorious over the Kansas Jayhawks with a score of 79-72. This matchup featured two of college basketball’s most successful coaches, with Arkansas being led by John Calipari and Kansas by Bill Self.
Leading the charge for the Razorbacks was Jonas Aidoo, who scored an impressive 22 points, showcasing his scoring ability and clutch performance. Johnell Davis contributed significantly as well, adding 18 points, including crucial free throws in the closing moments of the game. This win marks Calipari's first tournament victory as head coach of the Razorbacks, a notable achievement for the team.
In an exciting turn of events, freshman standout Boogie Fland made his return after undergoing right thumb surgery in January. He contributed six points in 24 minutes of play, providing a much-needed boost to the Razorbacks' lineup.
With this win, Arkansas will advance to the second round of the West Region, where they are set to face either the No. 2 seed St. John’s or the No. 15 seed Omaha on Saturday.
The Jayhawks, now with a record of 21-13, saw a commendable performance from Zeke Mayo, who scored 18 points. Kansas has made an impressive 35 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, but this loss marks the first time they have exited in the first round since 2006. AJ Storr added 15 points, while Hunter Dickinson contributed 11 points and nine rebounds in a valiant effort.
Thursday's game was significant not just for the teams but also for the coaches, as it marked the third March Madness encounter between Calipari and Self. Both coaches are among the top four active win leaders in men’s college basketball, with Calipari sitting at second with 876 wins, while Self ranks fourth with 831 wins. Their previous meetings were in national championship games, with each coach having claimed victory once.
Arkansas initially faced a challenging second half, trailing by as much as 11 points before rallying back. Storr gave Kansas the lead at 65-64 with a follow shot, but Aidoo quickly responded with two free throws that put the Razorbacks back in front. A pivotal three-pointer from Davis extended Arkansas' lead to 71-67 with under two minutes to play.
Despite Kansas closing the gap to 71-69, Davis sealed the game with two late free throws, ensuring Arkansas' triumph. The Jayhawks managed to narrow the score to 75-72 with a three-pointer from Rylan Griffen in the final moments, but Arkansas held on for the win.
This victory is especially significant for the Razorbacks, as it marks their first tournament win since reaching the Sweet 16 in 2023 under former coach Eric Musselman. For Kansas, this defeat brings their all-time first-round record to 47-6, a stark reminder of the high stakes in March Madness.
Looking ahead, Arkansas could potentially face the winningest active coach in NCAA history, Rick Pitino of St. John’s, in their next matchup. This rivalry adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming games as Calipari and Pitino have a long history dating back to their coaching tenures at Kentucky and Louisville, respectively.
For the latest updates on the NCAA Tournament, including the full March Madness bracket, visit the AP News NCAA Men's Bracket and stay tuned for more coverage.
