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Hogs get another marquee matchup to kick off preseason

Calipari released non-conference schedule and Jayhawks will be first charity game on Friday, Oct. 25, at Bud Walton Arena.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the second straight year, Arkansas will host a charity exhibition game versus a team that many pundits are putting atop their preseason polls as the Razorbacks will welcome Kansas to Bud Walton Arena on Oct. 25 (Friday).

The game, sponsored by CareSource, will not be part of the 2024-25 Arkansas men’s basketball season ticket package. Broadcast information and tipoff time will be announced at a later time.

Arkansas will donate proceeds from the charity exhibition game to Arkansas Children’s Hospitals. Also, Kansas will donate to Fore The Kids Foundation, a partner of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

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.

“We are ecstatic to be hosting Kansas to raise money and awareness for some great charities,” head coach John Calipari said. “Kansas is near and dear to my heart. Not only is it where I got my start in the coaching profession but, more importantly, it is where I met my wife, Ellen.

“This game will be a tremendous opportunity for us to see where we stand before the regular season begins. Also, our fans — and really the college basketball world — will be tuned in to this game.

“It is great for our program to be able to play these high-profile charity games. Not only is it an entertaining and valuable tool for the teams and fans but it also raises a lot of money for great causes. We are proud to be affiliated with CareSource and help Arkansas Children’s Hospitals.”

Arkansas and Kansas have met on 14 previous occasions with the Jayhawks owning an 8-6 advantage. The Razorbacks have won the last two meetings, including a 72-71 victory in the 2023 NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 and a 65-64 decision in the 2005 Maui Invitational.

The last time Kansas came to Fayetteville was Dec. 6, 1986, when the sixth-ranked Jayhawks won, 103-86.

This will be the third year in a row that both Arkansas and its opponent in a charity exhibition game will enter the season among the nation’s top 25. ESPN has this year’s Razorbacks at No. 14 in its “way-to-early” ranking while Kansas is at No. 1.

Last year, Arkansas, a top 20 team, hosted Purdue, which was #1 in several polls and a consensus top three team, in a charity exhibition contest. Arkansas won 81-77 in overtime. Prior to the 2022-23 campaign, Arkansas, preseason #10, traveled to Austin prior to the season to christen the Longhorns’ new Moody Center versus #12 Texas in a charity exhibition. Texas won 90-60.

Arkansas also played a charity exhibition prior to the 2019-20 season when it hosted Little Rock to commemorate the naming of Nolan Richardson Court in Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks won 79-64.

Arkansas is 73-10 all-time in exhibition games, including a 64-9 mark at home. The Razorbacks have won 37 straight home exhibition contests.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

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2024 Razorbacks Football

Thu, Aug 29vs UAPB (Little Rock)W, 70-0
Sat, Sep 7@ Oklahoma StateL, 31-39 2OT
Sat, Sep 14vs UABW, 37-27
Sat, Sep 21@ AuburnW, 24-14
Sat, Sep 28vs Texas A&M (Arl)L, 21-17
Sat, Oct 5vs Tennessee6:00 or 6:30 PM
ABC or ESPN
Sat, Oct 19vs LSUTBD
Sat, Oct 26@ Mississippi StateTBD
Sat, Nov 2vs Ole MissTBD
Sat, Nov 16vs Texas11:00 AM
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana TechTBD
Sat, Nov 30@ MissouriTBD
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2024 High School Rankings

Following is the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll including the Overall Top 10, the top five in Classes 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A, plus the top three in the 8-man division, as voted by a panel of sports media from around the state for the week ending August 24. Ranking is given with first-place votes received, records, total points and ranking from last week's poll:
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (18)4-02421
2.Conway (6)4-02122
3.Greenwood (1)4-01963
4.Fayetteville3-11764
5.Little Rock Parkview3-11495
6.Pulaski Academy4-01246
7.Benton3-11037
8.Rogers3-1549
9.Bentonville1-33810
10.Shiloh Christian2-2258
Others receiving votes: Little Rock Christian 19, Marion 13, Mountain Home 7, Cabot 5, Joe T Robinson 5, Springdale 4, Valley View 2, Elkins 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (19)4-01191
2.Conway (5)4-01002
3.Fayetteville (1)3-1803
4.Pulaski Academy4-0494
5.Rogers3-1155
Others receiving votes: Bentonville 9, LR Christian 3.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (25)4-01251
2.Benton3-11002
3.Shiloh Christian2-2473
4.Marion3-1454
Mountain Home4-0455
Others receiving votes: Lake Hamilton 8, Russellville 3, FS Southside 2.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (25)3-11251
2.Joe T Robinson3-1962
3.Valley View4-0623
4.Hot Springs Lakeside3-1485
5.Morrilton4-017
Others receiving votes: Harding Academy 16, Camden Fairview 4, Greenbrier 3, Alma 2, Beebe 1, Wynne 1
CLASS 4A
1.Elkins (21)4-01171
3.Little Rock Mills (1)4-0693
2.Arkadelphia (2)2-2432
4.Warren2-2434
5.Malvern (1)4-0345
Others receiving votes: Southside Batesville 13, Clinton 10, Highland 9, Bauxite 7, Mena 4, Gravette1.
CLASS 3A
1.Booneville (15)4-01091
2.Prescott (8)4-01022
3.Newport (1)4-0613
4.Rivercrest (1)4-0524
5.Walnut Ridge4-0245
Others receiving votes: Melbourne 13, Fordyce 10, Bismarck 8, Charleston 4.
CLASS 2A
1.Carlisle (17)4-01121
2.Conway Christian (6)4-01052
3.Marked Tree (1)3-1583
4.Des Arc3-1405
5.Junction City2-2344
Others receiving votes: Bigelow (1) 9, McCrory 9, Mineral Springs 8.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (20)1-0702
2.Cedar Ridge (4)4-0413
3.Rector (1)1-1201
Others receiving votes: Woodlawn 11, Midland 8.

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ESPN ARKANSAS 99.5 IN FAYETTEVILLE, 95.3 IN THE RIVER VALLEY, 96.3 IN HOT SPRINGS, 104.3 IN HARRISON-MOUNTAIN HOME.