After spending nearly a month outside the AP Top 25, the Arkansas Razorbacks have reclaimed their position among college basketball’s elite just in time for the holidays. In the latest rankings released Monday, the Razorbacks landed at No. 23, marking their resurgence after a challenging start to the season. Interestingly, Arkansas is ranked directly ahead of Illinois and Baylor, two teams that handed them losses earlier this season.
The Razorbacks previously reached as high as No. 19 in late November but faced a significant setback following a 90-77 Thanksgiving Day defeat to Illinois. That loss pushed them out of the rankings, sparking questions about their ability to rebound. However, the team responded impressively, going on a 5-0 streak with victories over Miami, Texas-San Antonio, Michigan, Central Arkansas, and North Carolina A&T. This winning streak demonstrated the team’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.
While the Razorbacks celebrate their return to the rankings, the top of the poll remains dominated by Tennessee, which continues to hold the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive week. The Volunteers garnered 41 of 62 first-place votes and are followed by Auburn at No. 2. Notably, the Razorbacks received their highest individual ballot ranking at No. 11, highlighting some voters’ confidence in their potential.
Despite their re-entry into the AP Poll, Arkansas still faces challenges in the broader landscape of college basketball. The team currently sits at No. 47 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) Rankings. Within the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), this ranking only places Arkansas 14th, with only LSU and South Carolina ranked lower. The depth and strength of the SEC this season make it clear that no team can afford to let their guard down.
“Nobody in this league can predict anything,” said Arkansas head coach John Calipari. “Every team is going to face tough games, from the top of the conference to the bottom. It’s going to be a battle every step of the way.”
Before diving into SEC competition, Arkansas has one more non-conference matchup to prepare for. They will take on Oakland on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., with the game set to be broadcast on ESPN2. This final contest offers the Razorbacks a chance to solidify their momentum as they head into what promises to be a grueling SEC schedule.
As the holiday season brings renewed hope for fans, the Razorbacks aim to carry their recent success into 2024. With their reappearance in the AP Poll and a solid foundation of recent victories, the team looks poised to make waves in the weeks to come.
