FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will host Southern University on Nov. 3 at Bud Walton Arena, adding another mid-major opponent to the Razorbacks’ 2025-26 schedule under coach John Calipari.
The matchup, first reported by Rocco Miller of Bracketeer.org confirmed by multiple reports, will mark the fourth meeting between Arkansas and Southern, with the Razorbacks having won all previous contests, most recently in 2020-21 when Arkansas had a 79-44 victory.
Southern, coached by Kevin Johnson, is coming off a strong campaign in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, finishing 18-13 and posting a notable 10-game win streak last season.
The Jaguars have won nine SWAC regular-season or tournament titles since 1977, and their .522 all-time win percentage reflects a solid tradition (Sports-Reference).
Calipari, who arrived in Fayetteville after a high-profile split from Kentucky in 2024, has wasted little time assembling a challenging non-conference schedule.
Arkansas will also face Central Arkansas on Nov. 11, then travel to Chicago for a Thanksgiving matchup against Duke in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic.
The Razorbacks’ scheduled features additional non-league tests, including Louisville on Dec. 3 in the SEC/ACC Challenge, Texas Tech on Dec. 13 in Dallas, and a marquee matchup at Michigan State in East Lansing.
Arkansas’ non-conference schedule is part of a broader shift under Calipari, who has stressed the importance of national exposure and high-profile games.
The program’s 2025 recruiting class is expected to include several highly ranked prospects, such as Darius Acuff Jr., as Calipari blends returning veterans with blue-chip newcomers.
Southern’s trip to Fayetteville offers the Jaguars a chance to test themselves against a Southeastern Conference opponent before heading into SWAC play.
“We respect what Arkansas has built, but we’re not coming just to show up,” Johnson said. “Games like this are why our guys put in the work all summer” (GoJagSports).
The Razorbacks’ Southeastern Conference schedule will see home-and-home matchups with Auburn, LSU and Missouri, along with single games against Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.
Calipari’s arrival has generated significant buzz in Fayetteville.
“Everyone put us in a coffin,” Calipari said in the postseason last year. “They just forgot the nails.”
Arkansas will hold its first open practice and press conference of the Calipari era this week.
Calipari remains focused on preparing his team for the postseason.
“If you want to make noise in March, you can’t be afraid to play anybody in November,” he said. “Our kids want to be tested. Our fans deserve it. And our program needs it to reach the next level.”
