This isn’t just your usual SEC showdown on a Saturday night. Many eyes will be on Kentucky and Arkansas not just because it’s an important matchup but also because it’s John Calipari’s latest matchup against his former team. The longtime Kentucky head coach looks to make an impact with the Razorbacks once again this season, one year after both of these teams made the Sweet Sixteen.
Recent weeks have fared better for Kentucky (14-7) but this team is certainly still underachieving. Wrecked by injuries and ineffective additions, Mark Pope’s squad lost some tough games in nonconference play and hasn’t gotten SEC play going off to the best start. After building an 0-2 hole, including at home against Missouri, the Wildcats racked off five straight victories. However, earlier this week this team was blown out by Vanderbilt and is looking for a bounce back performance.
Things are more promising at Arkansas (16-5), with the Razorbacks recently running their SEC record up to 6-2, near the very top of the league standings. Calipari’s team had their worst shooting performance of the season this week but still won at Oklahoma. Arkansas hasn’t lost a game at home, blowing by teams like Louisville, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt on their home court, and have started to figure things out this season.
Kentucky vs. Arkansas: When and Where
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 6:30 pm ET
Location: Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Betting Odds
Spread: Arkansas Razorbacks -6.5, Kentucky Wildcats +6.5
Moneyline: Arkansas Razorbacks -305, Kentucky Wildcats +270
Total: 162.5
Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Series History
All-time series: Kentucky leads 36-15
Last meeting: Arkansas 89, Kentucky 79 (February 1, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Kentucky Wildcats
Otega Oweh (16.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
Denzel Aberdeen (12.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
Collin Chandler (8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
Malachi Moreno (8.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
Andrija Jelavic (5.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Arkansas Razorbacks
Darius Acuff Jr. (20.2 ppg, 6.3 apg)
Meleek Thomas (15.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Trevon Brazile (12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
Karter Knox (8.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Nick Pringle (5.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
What’s pretty evident here is that Kentucky desperately needs to make a statement in this game. Calipari got the better of these Wildcats last season, but we’re not even concerned about that. Between the injuries and the inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, Kentucky needs a strong performance, especially from pieces behind Oweh on this roster. On the other side, Arkansas has leaned heavily on those elite freshmen in Acuff and Thomas. This team’s defense has largely gotten the job done this season and have been deadly on their home floor. Clearly, Kentucky isn’t going to make that statement unless they can pull out of these recent offensive struggles.
Even with those shortcomings and recent injuries to Jaland Lowe and others, can Kentucky find a way to grab another vital win on the road? Do we see another strong effort out of the Razorbacks at home? How will this game affect the SEC standings in the long term?