Hogs led by Wagner, Fland racing past Kansas in exhibition opener

FAYETTEVILLE — For the second year in a row, Arkansas hosted the preseason No. 1 team in the nation in a charity exhibition.

For the second year in a row, the 16th-ranked Razorbacks thrilled a sold-out Bud Walton Arena with an 85-69 victory over Kansas.

The game, sponsored by CareSource, will benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospitals and Fore The Kids Foundation, a partner of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with its proceeds.

CareSource is sponsoring a series of charity exhibition matchups that benefit adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, including Jay’s Light and other mental health organizations.

Other games in the series this year include Ohio State at Cincinnati on Oct. 18 and Dayton hosting Xavier on Oct. 20.

Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland against Kansas | Andy Hodges-HitThatLine.com

Arkansas was led by guards D.J. Wagner and Boogie Fland, who scored 24 and 22 points, respectively. Fland also had six of the team’s 12 steals and five assists. Zvonimir Ivisic added 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Kansas got 26 points from Dajuan Harris Jr., on 11-of-17 shooting from the field including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Rakease Passmore was the only other Jayhawk in double figures with 11 points.

Razorbacks guard DJ Wagner chases a loose ball against Kansas | Andy Hodges-HitThatLine.com

Razorbacks coach John Calipari against Kansas | Andy Hodges-HitThatLine.com
NOTES:

• The game format was four, 10-minute quarters.

• Kansas scored first, but D.J. Wagner answered with a 3-pointer and Arkansas held the lead the remainder of the game.

• Arkansas scored at least 20 points in each of the four quarters and Kansas was held below 20 in all four quarters.

• Arkansas is 74-10 all-time in exhibition games, including a 65-9 mark at home. The Razorbacks have won 38 straight home exhibition contests.

• The last time the Razorbacks and Jayhawks met, Arkansas earned a trip to the 2023 Sweet 16 with a 72-71 win over top-seeded Kansas at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

• While the game does not count towards the teams’ records, Arkansas has won each of the last three times it has faced Kansas and four of the last five.

• Up next, Arkansas will play another charity exhibition. The Razorbacks will travel to Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena to face TCU on Friday (Nov. 1). Tipoff is set for 7 pm.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.