Arkansas Razorbacks Stun No. 2 St. John’s in March Madness Upset

Arkansas Razorbacks Stun No. 2 St. John’s in March Madness Upset

The No. 10-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks achieved a surprising victory against the No. 2 St. John’s Red Storm, winning 75-66 in the round of 32 on Saturday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

A Showdown of Coaching Legends

This matchup featured two of college basketball’s most renowned coaches, John Calipari and Rick Pitino. Calipari guided his team to a significant win, overcoming Pitino’s renowned tactics and strategy.

St. John’s Faces Early Elimination

With this defeat, St. John’s became the first No. 2 seed to exit this year’s tournament. The Red Storm struggled offensively, managing to shoot only 28% from the field and hitting just 2 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc.

Pitino’s Challenging Decisions

In a pivotal moment, Pitino opted to bench RJ Luis Jr., the Big East Player of the Year, during the crucial closing minutes of the game. Luis logged nine points and seven rebounds; however, he battled through a poor shooting night, finishing with a dismal 3 for 17 from the field.

Strong Performance from Zuby Ejiofor

The standout player for St. John’s was Zuby Ejiofor. He delivered an impressive performance, scoring 23 points on 7 of 12 shooting while also grabbing 12 rebounds. In addition, Deivon Smith contributed with 13 points, making him one of the few bright spots for the team.

Arkansas’ Balanced Attack

On the other side, Arkansas showcased a well-rounded offensive effort, with three players scoring in double figures. Billy Richmond III led the Razorbacks with 16 points and nine rebounds. Karter Knox followed closely behind with 15 points, and Johnell Davis added 13 points of his own.

Team Shooting Struggles

Despite securing an upset victory, Arkansas also encountered shooting difficulties, particularly from long range. The Razorbacks shot 42.9% from the field overall but only managed to convert 2 of 19 shots from three-point territory. Yet, their tenacity and teamwork propelled them to the next round.

Moving Forward to the Sweet 16

As a result of this significant victory, the Razorbacks have advanced to the Sweet 16, marking a notable achievement in Calipari’s inaugural season as head coach. This victory gives the team momentum as they prepare to face their next opponent.

Looking Ahead

Arkansas will now meet the winner of the matchup between the No. 11-seeded Drake and the No. 3-seeded Texas Tech. This exciting game is scheduled to tip off at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, and fans eagerly await to see which team will challenge the Razorbacks next.

This March Madness tournament continues to deliver thrilling moments and surprises, with teams like Arkansas proving that anything can happen on the court. As the anticipation builds for the upcoming rounds, college basketball fans are in for an exhilarating ride.