.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats have steamrolled their way to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, and this time, they're doing it in the most dominating way.
Tommy Lloyd's team won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, then beat No. 16 LIU and No. 9 Utah State in commanding fashion in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. But, Arizona's next matchup might be its toughest test yet: John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks, led by freshman Darius Acuff Jr.
There might be no player hotter in the country than Acuff, a projected NBA lottery pick who is fresh off a 36-point performance to catapult Arkansas to its second consecutive Sweet 16. The SEC Player of the Year is currently rewriting the record books. By sweeping both the Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, Acuff has entered rarefied air, joining Anthony Davis (2012) and Brandon Miller (2023) as the third player in conference history to win both awards in the same season.
Acuff's impact on the court is even more historic: He is the first player since Pete Maravich in 1969-70 to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists. Averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, the Detroit native has been a high-volume nightmare for opposing coaches, particularly in SEC play where he averaged nearly 25 points a night. With No. 5 leading the way, Arkansas can knock off any team in its path.
Arizona has a star point guard in its own right in Big 12 Player of the Year in Jaden Bradley, along with two prolific freshmen in Brayden Burries and Koa Peat; combined with Motiejus Krivas, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell'Orso and Ivan Karchenkov, and the Wildcats have every ounce of a national championship contender.
Something will have to give in one of the most-anticipated Sweet 16 matchups. Will Arizona take one step closer to its first Final Four since 2001 or will Acuff and Arkansas continue the historic run?
Here's what you need to know about Thursday's matchup between Arizona and Arkansas, including broadcast information and start time.
What time is Arizona vs. Arkansas today?
- Date: Thursday, March 26
- Time: 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT | 6:45 p.m. PT
The NCAA tournament game between Arizona and Arkansas is set to tip off at 9:45 p.m. ET from the SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California.
Arizona is looking to return to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years while looking for its first national championship since 1997. Arkansas has made the Sweet 16 for the second time in two years under Calipari, seeking its first title since 1993; Calipari has won one national championship while at Kentucky in 2012.
What channel is Arizona vs. Arkansas on today?
- TV channel: CBS
- Live stream: Fubo, Paramount+
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas will be aired nationally on CBS, with Brian Anderson and Jim Jackson on the call and Allie LaForce on the sidelines. It is the second of two games in San Jose, the first being No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 Purdue.
Fans can stream the game live on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers so you can try the service before you buy.
Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Paramount+ is another streaming option for all CBS games in the tournament.
Arizona vs. Arkansas radio coverage
- Radio station: SiriusXM
Arizona vs. Arkansas can be found on the SiriusXM app or on channel 201 in vehicles.
Listen to every game of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament live on SiriusXM.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
March Madness bracket 2026
Check the Sporting News NCAA Tournament live bracket for the latest final scores and next-round matchups.
When and where is the Final Four in 2026?
- Date: April 4 and 6
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
The 2026 Men's Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The semifinals will be played Saturday night and the national championship game is set for Monday night.
The home of the Indianapolis Colts previously hosted the event in 2010, 2015 and 2021 and is set to host again in 2029. Indianapolis previously hosted the Final Four at other facilities in 1980, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2006.
Only Kansas City has been home to the Final Four more often (10 times), but the last one held there was in 1988.
March Madness tournament schedule 2026
Here is the round-by-round schedule for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament:
| Round | Date |
| First Four | March 17-18 |
| First round | March 19-20 |
| Second round | March 21-22 |
| Sweet 16 | March 26-27 |
| Elite Eight | March 28-29 |
| Final Four | April 4 |
| National championship | April 6 |
English (US)