By: Aidan Loney
SAN JOSE, Calif. (UATV) – The 4-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks meet the number 1-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the West Regional Semifinal at 8:45 p.m. CT (6:45 p.m. PST).
The Wildcats disposed of the 16-seeded Long Island Sharks 92-58 in the Round of 64 and the 9-seeded Utah State Aggies 78-66 on their way to the Sweet 16.
Arkansas defeated the 13-seeded Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 97-78 in the Round of 64, then defeated the 12-seeded High Point Panthers 94-88 Saturday night, which was the lowest seed to advance into the second round, en route to the Sweet 16.
The Hogs have had to manage their rotation with largely 6 players, as Karter Knox (meniscus) has been absent from the lineup since the Auburn game on February 14, and Nick Pringle (hamstring) has been absent the last two games against Hawaii and High Point.
On March 10, head coach John Calipari said, “My guess is we would probably have to make the Final 4 for him to have any sort of chance to play,” regarding Knox’s availability for the rest of the season.
As for Nick Pringle, he injured his hamstring on March 16 in practice and has not played since the SEC championship against Vanderbilt.
“It’s nothing serious, but it’s enough to say don’t put yourself in that position,” Calipari said after the Hawaii game.
“I’m six out of 10 right now, probably of playing wise… just trying to get me to my full 100%, honestly, but I mean I’m feeling a lot better,” Pringle said on Friday.
It will be a day-by-day situation to monitor for Knox and Pringle leading up to the game, but it sounds like it will be an uphill battle for Knox to suit up for the Hogs on Thursday.
The Arizona Wildcats will be potentially the toughest test the Hogs have had to face all season, as the Wildcats are the only team to be top 4 in offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom.
Arkansas and Arizona are both top 5 in offensive efficiency but they have very two different styles of getting there.
Arizona’s offensive game is driven through their frontcourt of Koa Peat, Motiejus Krivas, and Big-12 Sixth Man of the Year Tobe Awaka, dominating the paint by owning the third best rebound margin in the country.
The Wildcats are also dangerous from their backcourt as well with Big-12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley and their leading scorer Brayden Burries.
Meanwhile Arkansas relies almost completely on their guards, especially SEC Player of the Year and First-Team All American Darius Acuff, to play around the perimeter, push the pace, and shoot threes.
Arizona is more than capable beyond the arc, 43th in the country in 3-point percentage, but not as lethal as the Razorbacks as they are 11th in 3-point percentage, so that is where the advantage lies for Arkansas.
It will be a tall task for the Razorbacks given their injuries entering Thursday’s matchup, so they will have to play their best game of the season to do what only two other teams have done this season, which is beating Arizona.