FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will not face a Big 12 opponent in the 2025-26 non-conference schedule, coach John Calipari confirmed this week.
It’s a shift from the Razorbacks lining up high-profile early contests.
“We’re not playing a Big 12 team in the non-conference this year,” Calipari said at a press conference, addressing widespread speculation after reports surfaced regarding the Razorbacks’ adjusted scheduling philosophy.
While he stopped short of specifying which team was dropped, Calipari’s remarks end weeks of anticipation surrounding the reveal of Arkansas’ complete non-league slate.
This development follows years of marquee non-conference games for Arkansas. Last season, the Razorbacks clashed with Baylor in Dallas as part of the annual Big 12-SEC Challenge, a contest that drew significant regional interest.
With the dissolution of that formal series after conference realignment, the 2025-26 schedule had been expected to feature a carryover match with a Big 12 school, likely either Baylor or Texas Tech.
That, however, will not happen.
Calipari did not elaborate on the reasons for the scheduling change, but sources indicate the decision was influenced by a desire to vary opponents and avoid repetitive regional matchups that have become routine in recent years.
With the SEC expanding, including Texas and Oklahoma, Arkansas’ regular season already features more familiar foes from the former Big 12.
While the full non-conference schedule is still being finalized, Arkansas is expected to continue seeking high-quality opponents.
The Razorbacks added Mount St. Mary’s of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to the 2025-26 lineup, set to play December 16 at Bud Walton Arena.
Other matchups are likely to include national names, as Calipari’s programs are known for challenging tune-ups before conference play.
According to preseason scheduling reports, non-conference opponents could span several conferences, including the American Athletic Conference and the Big Ten.
Speculation around potential games against teams like Illinois and Miami (FL) is ongoing, but these have not been officially confirmed.
The scheduling update generated mixed reactions in Razorback circles. Some fans expressed disappointment at losing a likely high-profile clash, while others viewed it as a welcome opportunity for the team to diversify its early tests.
The shift means Arkansas’ first opportunities for a marquee win may now come during the SEC’s rigorous January stretch, rather than in November or December.
The broader context involves the continuing ripple effects of conference realignment in college basketball. The SEC’s addition of Texas and Oklahoma has rendered some of the league’s old non-conference traditions redundant.
While the Big 12-SEC Challenge no longer exists, crossover games were still expected to be prioritized by some programs.
Recent seasons have seen Arkansas face Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor early each year.
Those games delivered valuable TV exposure and RPI boosts the metrics that shape NCAA Tournament seeding.
This year’s pivot suggests Calipari is confident the SEC alone will offer enough potent opposition for both résumé build and fan intrigue.
Sports analysts pointed out the upside and downside of the scheduling turn.
“John Calipari is never shy about switching things up,” longtime SEC Network host Paul Finebaum said. “He wants Arkansas tested and that won’t change with or without a Big 12 opponent.”
The 2025-26 SEC schedule, released in June, will pit Arkansas against conference powerhouses Auburn, LSU, and Missouri both home and away.
The Razorbacks’ in-conference challenge is as steep as ever, further justifying the revamped approach to non-league play.
The team is expected to announce its finalized non-conference schedule by late August.
