Razorbacks Triumph Over Red Storm in NCAA Tournament Clash
In a highly anticipated rematch between coaching legends, John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks emerged victorious against Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm on Saturday, securing a coveted spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with a 75-66 victory.
Hard-Fought Battle on the Court
The contest, a physical and intense affair befitting the reputations of both esteemed coaches, saw Arkansas ultimately prevail after a grueling battle. Both teams struggled with shooting accuracy, collectively making only 4 of 41 attempts from beyond the arc and achieving a combined field goal percentage of just 34.8%.
Game Flow and Key Runs
Following a closely contested first half, Arkansas concluded the opening period with a 7-0 scoring surge, establishing a 35-32 advantage heading into halftime. The Razorbacks extended their lead early in the second half, building a 13-point margin at 55-42 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game.
Red Storm Comeback Attempt
Undeterred, St. John’s mounted a resilient comeback, unleashing an 18-7 run to narrow the deficit to a mere 62-60 with approximately six minutes left on the clock. Employing Pitino’s trademark full-court press defense, the Red Storm disrupted the game’s tempo, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Razorbacks Seal the Victory
In the final stretch, Arkansas demonstrated composure, executing crucial plays to secure the win. They closed the game with a decisive 13-6 run, sealing their Sweet 16 berth.
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Luis Jr. Struggles for St. John’s
The Red Storm encountered difficulties overcoming an uncharacteristic performance from guard R.J. Luis Jr., who entered the game averaging 18.5 points. Against the Razorbacks’ defense, Luis Jr. was limited to just nine points on 3-of-17 shooting from the field.
Richmond III Leads Arkansas Scoring
Arkansas’ offensive effort was spearheaded by freshman guard Billy Richmond III. Coming off the bench, Richmond III delivered a game-high 16 points for the Razorbacks.
Calipari’s Milestone and Coaching Legacy
Calipari, in his inaugural season at the helm of the Razorbacks after a distinguished 15-year tenure at Kentucky, has advanced beyond the tournament’s second round for the first time since 2019. He now has the opportunity to join an elite group and achieve a rare feat in men’s college basketball history: winning a national championship with two different universities, a distinction currently held only by Pitino.
Pitino’s Pursuit of History Halted
Conversely, Pitino’s quest to guide a record fourth program to the Final Four was thwarted by the Razorbacks’ victory.