John Calipari and Arkansas Set to Face Gonzaga in Exhibition Match

In an exciting development, Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari has announced an exhibition game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, scheduled for mid to late October. The matchup will take place at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Calipari confirmed the event during a recent interview with Pig Trail Nation, emphasizing its importance as a preparation scrimmage ahead of the official NCAA season. The exhibition continues a longstanding connection between Calipari's teams and Gonzaga, previously seen during his tenures with the Memphis Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats.

Historically, Calipari holds a 4-2 advantage over Gonzaga's coach Mark Few in their head-to-head encounters. This exhibition adds to Gonzaga's developing non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season, which includes matchups against notable teams such as the Purdue Boilermakers and the LSU Tigers.

While details are still being finalized, Gonzaga is also looking at potential games against other powerhouse programs, including UCLA and Oregon, with plans to renew their rivalry in a two-year neutral site series. The specifics of the Pac-12 regular season and tournament schedule are yet to be released.

This exhibition promises to be an intriguing outing for both teams as they gear up for the competitive season ahead.