Arkansas Razorbacks and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Set to Clash in NCAA Tournament
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Razorbacks (26-8), a fourth seed in the West Region, will face off against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (24-8), a No. 13 seed, in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The highly anticipated matchup will take place on Thursday, March 19, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Tip-off is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast live on TBS, featuring play-by-play commentary from Brad Nessler, analysis from Wally Szczerbiak, and sideline reporting by Jared Greenberg. This marks Arkansas’ impressive 38th NCAA Tournament appearance and their fifth in the last six years. It’s also the seventh time in program history the Razorbacks have secured a No. 4 seed.
A Look at the Razorbacks’ Tournament History
Arkansas boasts a strong all-time record of 52-36 in the NCAA Tournament, including an impressive 20-8 record in first-round games. This will be the third meeting between Arkansas and Hawaii on the basketball court. The Razorbacks emerged victorious in the previous two encounters, winning back-to-back games in Honolulu in December 1977.
Path to Portland: Team Performance
Arkansas enters the tournament as the SEC Tournament champions and finished as the runner-up during the regular season. Hawaii earned their spot by defeating UC Irvine in the Big West Tournament finals, finishing second in Big West conference play.
John Calipari’s Impressive Tournament Resume
This tournament appearance is a significant milestone for Head Coach John Calipari, his 25th in 33 NCAA Tournaments held. His career highlights include:
- 1 NCAA Championship
- 2 NCAA Runners-Up
- 6 Final Four Appearances
- 12 Elite Eight Appearances
- 16 Sweet Sixteen Appearances
- A remarkable 59-23 record in NCAA Tournament games
Coach Calipari’s tournament success is undeniable, ranking among the all-time leaders in NCAA Tournament wins. He has consistently led his teams deep into the tournament, showcasing his coaching prowess.
What’s Next?
A first-round victory for Arkansas would pit them against the winner of the matchup between No. 5 seed Wisconsin and No. 12 seed High Point on Saturday, March 21, also in Portland.
Ticket Information
Fans who have already submitted their postseason ticket requests do not need to take further action. Requests will be fulfilled based on membership level and priority points. Notifications regarding ticket orders will be sent no later than Tuesday, March 17. University of Arkansas students with access passes can purchase tickets until 5 pm on Monday, March 16. General public tickets are available through the NCAA Ticketmaster page.
Stay updated on Arkansas Men’s Basketball by following @RazorbackMBB on Twitter. @RazorbackMBB
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