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Razorbacks surge past Memphis in preseason tuneup victory
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The John Calipari era at Arkansas got one last look before the real season begins.
The Razorbacks overcame a shaky first half to surge past Memphis 99-75 on Monday night at FedExForum, wrapping up preseason play with a complete team effort.
Before tipoff, Calipari received a warm ovation from Tigers fans who remembered his run in Memphis from 2000 to 2009, a tenure that included a trip to the 2008 national championship game.
Though the game didn’t count in the standings, the energy in the building resembled a regular-season matchup.
Arkansas looked sluggish early, committing eight first-half turnovers against the Tigers’ swarming defensive pressure.
Memphis’ ball denial and transition play helped them build a 45-42 halftime advantage, as Quante Berry’s three-point play at the buzzer capped a strong opening half.
Calipari said afterward the early struggles were expected.
“We needed this kind of challenge,” he said later. “Memphis plays physical, and they sped us up. That’s what I wanted to see before we start counting the games.”
Thomas leads second-half breakout
Freshman guard Meleek Thomas delivered his best performance yet, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Fourteen of those points came in the first half, helping Arkansas stay within striking distance before he and his teammates took control after the break.
“Coach told us we had to match their intensity,” Thomas said. “We locked in defensively and started sharing the ball better.”
Thomas’ defensive energy was contagious. He recorded four steals, including two during an 18-2 Razorback run that turned a three-point deficit into a double-digit lead early in the second half.
Arkansas maintained its composure, attacking the rim and controlling the boards — areas that plagued them in the first 20 minutes.
Calipari has emphasized conditioning and pace during preseason practices, aiming for an up-tempo style that maximizes his roster’s depth and athleticism. Monday’s second half offered a glimpse of that identity.
Calipari pleased with growth, points to depth
Calipari said afterward he saw tangible progress.
“In the second half, we played Razorback basketball — defending, rebounding, running,” he said. “When we’re focused, we can play with anybody.”
Alongside Thomas, Arkansas got balanced scoring from its rotation. Junior forward Trevon Brazile added 14 points and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Layden Blocker contributed 11 points off the bench.
The Razorbacks’ defense held Memphis to just 37 percent shooting in the second half.
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, who used the game to test different lineups, liked Arkansas’ physicality down the stretch.
“They came out after halftime and punched us in the mouth,” Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal. “That’s a team that’s going to win a lot of games in the SEC.”
The win capped a 2-0 exhibition slate for the Razorbacks, who also defeated Cincinnati earlier in the week.
More importantly, it gave Calipari another opportunity to evaluate rotations and chemistry ahead of next week’s regular-season opener against Southern at Bud Walton Arena.
Razorbacks look ahead to regular season
For Calipari, Monday’s game provided more than just a nostalgic return to Memphis — it served as a preview of what his young team can become.
“This group has talent, but it’s about habits,” Calipari said. “We’ve got to build those day by day. Tonight showed what happens when we stay together.”
The Razorbacks will open their 2025-26 season at home next Tuesday, hosting Southern in Fayetteville.
With the pieces now in place and momentum from a strong exhibition stretch, Arkansas appears ready to test itself in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.
Key takeaways:
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Meleek Thomas scored 23 points with seven rebounds and four steals.
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Arkansas used an 18-2 second-half run to pull away from Memphis.
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John Calipari’s return to Memphis drew a warm ovation and a strong team performance.
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Auburn rallies past Arkansas 33-24 behind late defensive surge
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Auburn turned four fourth-quarter turnovers into 17 points and a much-needed SEC win, beating Arkansas 33-24 on Saturday at Razorback Stadium.
The Tigers trailed by 11 at halftime but dominated the final 20 minutes, taking control behind a late pick-six and a perfect performance from kicker Alex McPherson.
Auburn improved to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in SEC play, while the Razorbacks dropped to 2-6 and remain winless in the conference.
Arkansas starts fast, but Auburn adjusts
Arkansas looked sharp early behind quarterback Taylen Green, who threw a 58-yard touchdown to Raylen Sharpe and managed a balanced offense through two quarters.
Cornerback Kani Walker’s 89-yard interception return put the Razorbacks ahead 21-10 at the break, and the crowd of more than 70,000 roared as Arkansas appeared to seize control.
Green, however, couldn’t maintain the rhythm after halftime.
He finished 14-of-22 for 268 yards and one touchdown but was picked off three times — all in the second half. Tight end Rohan Jones led Arkansas with 127 receiving yards on three catches.
Auburn made a crucial change midway through the second quarter, turning to backup quarterback Ashton Daniels after starter Jackson Arnold’s early interception.
Daniels gave the Tigers a spark, completing six of eight passes for 77 yards while keeping the offense on schedule.
McPherson stays perfect, defense takes over
The Tigers leaned on their ground game and special teams to stay close. Running back Jeremiah Cobb carried 28 times for 153 yards, including several key third-down conversions that extended drives.
McPherson handled the rest, converting six field goals — from 36, 23, 43, 26, 47, and 37 yards — to account for 18 of Auburn’s 33 points. His final make with 1:06 remaining sealed the outcome.
The Auburn defense, which had struggled in recent weeks, flipped the script in the fourth quarter.
Cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant jumped a sideline route and returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown to give Auburn its first lead at 27-24.
Two more turnovers from Arkansas — a fumble by receiver O’Mega Blake and another Green interception — led to McPherson’s final two field goals and closed the door.
Arkansas fades again down the stretch
It was a familiar story for the Razorbacks, who once again couldn’t protect a second-half lead.
Arkansas had the ball for just 22 minutes compared to Auburn’s 37, wearing down a defense that spent much of the night on the field.
Interim coach Bobby Petrino, who took over after the midseason change, has now dropped three straight games.
Arkansas has not won a conference game this season and faces the possibility of missing a bowl for the second straight year.
“This one hurts,” Petrino said. “We played well early, but the turnovers were killers. You can’t hand a team like that so many extra possessions.”
For Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, the victory offers some breathing room after a rocky start to the year.
“I’m proud of our fight,” Freeze said. “We didn’t play clean, but we showed some real toughness when it mattered most.”
Momentum shift and what’s next
The Tigers’ defense held Arkansas scoreless in the final 20 minutes, forcing three punts and four turnovers after trailing by double digits.
Auburn’s front pressured Green repeatedly, forcing hurried throws and two of his late interceptions.
Auburn now heads home to face Kentucky, looking to build on its first SEC win of the season.
Arkansas returns to Fayetteville next week against Mississippi State, hoping to regroup before its November stretch run.
Key takeaways
- Auburn forced four fourth-quarter turnovers, turning a double-digit deficit into a nine-point win.
- Taylen Green’s three second-half interceptions cost Arkansas momentum and points in another SEC home loss.
- Hugh Freeze and Auburn finally broke through with a complete defensive effort and mistake-free kicking game.
