Texas Longhorns vs Arkansas Razorbacks Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Texas vs. Arkansas: Renewed SEC Rivalry Set for High-Stakes Clash

Texas and Arkansas reignite their historic rivalry as SEC foes for the first time in 35 years when they meet in Austin on Wednesday. Both teams enter the contest with momentum, aiming to solidify their standings in conference play.

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Historic Rivalry Rekindled

The Texas Longhorns (15-7, 4-5 SEC) and Arkansas Razorbacks (13-8, 2-6 SEC) share a rich basketball history, with Arkansas holding an 87-68 all-time series lead. However, this will be their first meeting as conference rivals in over three decades, adding an extra layer of intensity to the matchup.

Their last face-off was in 2018, when Texas edged out a 73-71 victory at Fort Bliss, and the Razorbacks haven’t played in Austin since 2011. Wednesday’s showdown brings an opportunity for both teams to make a statement in their SEC campaigns.

Texas Finding Its Rhythm

After a slow start in conference play, Texas has rebounded with three wins in its past four games, including a dominant 89-58 road victory over LSU on Saturday. The 31-point win was Texas’ largest margin of victory in a road conference game since 2011.

Key Players for Texas

• Tre Johnson & Tramon Mark – Each contributed 18 points against LSU, leading a balanced offensive effort.
• Defensive Improvements – Texas coach Rodney Terry emphasized his team’s recent growth on both ends of the floor. “We’ve been getting better the last three weeks, both offensively and defensively. We just needed to put together a 40-minute game where we competed the entire time.”

Their only recent setback came in a three-point road loss to then-No. 23 Ole Miss, showing that Texas can compete with top-tier SEC teams.

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Arkansas’ Upset Over Kentucky Sparks New Energy

Despite a 2-6 conference record, Arkansas enters the game with renewed confidence after an 89-79 victory over No. 12 Kentucky in Lexington. The win was coach John Calipari’s first against his former team since taking over at Arkansas.

Key Players for Arkansas

• Adou Thiero – Dominated with 21 points and 8 rebounds against Kentucky.
• Johnell Davis – Contributed 18 points, adding another scoring threat.
• D.J. Wagner – Scored 17 points (all in the second half), demonstrating his clutch ability.
• Zvonimir Ivisic – Provided outside shooting with four 3-pointers and 14 points.

Arkansas shot an impressive 55.2% from the field and 13 of 25 from three-point range, showing offensive firepower that could challenge Texas’ defense.

Wagner summed up the Razorbacks’ mindset: “A big emphasis was really just defense and fighting. That’s what makes us who we are—playing defense and fighting, and if shots are falling, it’s going to be good for us.”

After starting SEC play with five straight losses, Arkansas has now won two of its last three games, making this matchup a crucial test for their resurgence.

Key Matchups & Game Implications

1. Texas Defense vs. Arkansas Offense

• Texas has tightened its defense in recent weeks, while Arkansas is coming off a high-efficiency shooting performance against Kentucky.
• If Arkansas can replicate its 55.2% shooting night, Texas will need to step up its defensive rotations.

2. Battle of the Guards

• Tre Johnson (Texas) vs. D.J. Wagner (Arkansas) – Both young guards have the ability to take over games.
• Expect Johnson’s scoring versatility to clash with Wagner’s aggressive playmaking.

3. Three-Point Shooting

• Arkansas’ 13 three-pointers against Kentucky were a game-changer.
• Texas will need to contest perimeter shots effectively to avoid another Razorbacks’ shooting explosion.

What’s at Stake?

This game isn’t just about rekindling a rivalry—it has major SEC implications for both teams:
✅ For Texas – A win keeps them on an upward trajectory in SEC play, potentially pushing them toward NCAA tournament contention.
✅ For Arkansas – A victory would mark back-to-back statement wins, proving their early-season struggles were temporary.

Both teams have something to prove, making this showdown a must-watch for college basketball fans.

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Final Thoughts

The renewed Texas-Arkansas rivalry comes at a pivotal moment in the SEC season. With Texas looking to maintain its recent momentum and Arkansas seeking to build off a massive upset win, expect a high-energy, hard-fought battle in Austin.

Will Texas’ balanced attack and home-court advantage be enough, or will Arkansas’ offensive firepower and newfound confidence lead to another big win? The answer unfolds Wednesday night in what promises to be a thrilling SEC clash.