Bracketology: Arkansas Projected as 10-Seed
The Arkansas Razorbacks bailed out of the 2025 SEC Tournament in the second round on Thursday, losing to the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels 83-80.
Despite the loss, the good news for the Hogs is that they are still projected to make the NCAA Tournament, sitting in the “last four byes” spot in Joe Lunardi of ESPN’s most recent bracketology, updated on Saturday, March 15.
The Razorbacks did enough work during the regular season to solidify a bid in the big dance, winning four of their last five games before the postseason, and, in the postseason, the Hogs still earned a first round win over the South Carolina Gamecocks before falling in the second round.
In Lunardi’s bracketology, Arkansas is projected to be a No. 10 seed and face the projected No. 7-seeded Saint Mary’s Gaels – a member of the WCC – in the Lexington region.
If the Hogs did face Saint Mary’s – as a lot of 7-10 games are – it would be a ferocious battle as Arkansas averages 76.6 points per game compared to Saint Mary’s’ 73.5. Arkansas allows 71.2 points per game while Saint Mary’s gives up just 60.7 points per game.
Arkansas concluded its regular season with a 19-12 record and an 8-10 record in SEC play, while Saint Mary’s rounded its regular season up with a 27-4 record and 17-1 record in SEC play. Granted, Arkansas does compete in the SEC, which – this year – is arguably one of the best conference’s college basketball has seen in a longtime.
Arkansas battled 11 ranked opponents during the regular season while the Gaels didn’t face a single one, which speaks for itself, however, credit is still due.
It is extremely difficult to stay consistent, and losing just four total games and one in regular season conference play is a massive accomplishment, and something that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
The Gaels bailed out of the WCC Tournament in the Finals, losing 58-51 to the infamous Gonzaga Bulldogs, who they actually beat twice during the regular season.
It isn’t confirmed, but based off of this recent bracketology, Arkansas would surely have its work cut out for them, but with that, the Gaels are definitely a beatable squad, and of course, anything can happen in the month of March.
On Sunday March 16, the official NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed at 5 p.m. CT and can be watched on CBS.
