Arkansas to play in Armed Forces Classic in El Paso

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will participate in one of the unique events in college basketball next year, opening the 2018-19 season on Nov. 9 in the Armed Forces Classic at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Arkansas will renew a storied rivalry in the game, taking on the Texas Longhorns for the 155th time in program history.

The annual event, now in its seventh year, will take place on the United States mainland for the first time since its inception in 2012.

“We are honored to participate in the Armed Forces Classic next year,” said head coach Mike Anderson. “Any chance we get to honor our service men and women by playing at a military base is a great opportunity to give back to people that sacrifice so much for our freedom.”

The game will be televised on ESPN as part of the network’s America’s Heroes: A Salute to Our Veterans initiative honoring the men and women who are serving and who have served in the United States military, both at home and abroad.

“In the continued spirit of honoring our men and women in uniform and their families we are excited to bring the Armed Forces Classic to Fort Bliss in El Paso,” said Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events. “We are looking forward to being on the base and having an opportunity to say “thank you” in person and stage what should be an outstanding basketball game.”

The Razorbacks and Longhorns have a storied history that started in 1924 as Southwest Conference rivals and the two teams played for 68 consecutive seasons until Arkansas entered the Southeastern Conference in 1991-92.

The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 86-67, including a victory last season at the Toyota Center in Houston as part of the Lone Star Shootout.