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Arkansas vs UConn: 2023 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule, prediction

By Tristan Freeman

Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro (13) drives around Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo (21) during the first half of their game Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.Mumen11 6
Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro (13) drives around Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo (21) during the first half of their game Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.Mumen11 6 /
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Both Arkansas and UConn are just two wins away from the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Which of them will move on to the Elite 8?

TV schedule: Thursday, March 23rd, 7:15 pm ET, CBS

Arena: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

Few recent hires have been as successful as Eric Musselman joining Arkansas (22-13), who has now made its third straight Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They had one of the harder paths of the teams remaining as an 8 seed, first beating Illinois before taking on the West Region No. 1 seed, the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks didn’t have Coach Bill Self (health issues) but Musselman was around and was able to lead his team to a double-digit comeback at halftime for the thrilling, 72-71 win. Despite five-star freshman guard Nick Smith going scoreless, the Razorbacks got a career performance from Davonte Davis, who scored 23 second-half points to lead the way. Ricky Council was the only other player with more than 10 points for the team, going for 21 points overall.

Arkansas looks for its 3rd consecutive Elite 8 game but will have to take on the UConn Huskies, whose analytics all have them better than a pure 5 seed. Although they had slow starts against both Iona and Saint Mary’s this past week, the Huskies blew each of them out in the second half for a pair of double-digit wins.

Big man Adama Sanogo has been one of the top players in the NCAA Tournament so far, averaging 26 ppg and 10.5 rpg in the first two games. When he’s playing at a high level, UConn is almost impossible to stop.

The good news for Arkansas is that they have a pair of centers in Makhi and Makhel Mitchell who have the size and strength to at least bother the starting center for the Big East team. And if not, 10 fouls as well.

Rooting for the Huskies? Then check out BreakingT’s UConn Collection

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The Razorbacks’ inconsistencies have mostly been due to its guard play. Unless Council goes for 20+, they can struggle to score. And now, they’ll be dealing with versatile players such as Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson. It’s the kind of matchup where both teams can offset each others’ strengths, which makes this a compelling game to watch.

Next. Ranking each Sweet 16 team's starting lineup. dark

UConn has shown that they can struggle with teams for 25 minutes but it’s that 10-minute stretch where they look unstoppable that Arkansas needs to withstand. Unless Smith can give them something, I’m not sure that they have what it takes to get another upset.

Prediction: UConn 75, Arkansas 67