Three Questions Arkansas Razorbacks Must Answer In Exhibition Against Gonzaga

FAYETTEVILLE – The days of just getting the scoop on a preseason exhibition against regional junior colleges appear to be over, as Arkansas and other prominent basketball programs across the country are scheduling marquee matchups instead.

In recent years, Arkansas has hosted No. 1 Purdue during Eric Musselman’s final season, while Bill Self and Kansas came to Bud Walton ahead of John Calipari’s first season and took a second half beatdown. Then, last year the Razorbacks routed Cincinnati at home and Memphis at the FedEx Forum to set up what was a special season led by Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas.

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Now, Gonzaga comes to town for the very first time under veteran coach Mark Few and a very talented roster in Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop, Florida transfer Xavian Lee, Houston transfer Isaiah Harwell and a pair of returnees in Davis Fogle and Braden Huff.

The Bulldogs have the makings of a team that could certainly make a deep run in March following back-to-back second round exits the previous two seasons.

Arkansas Razorbacks center Cooper Bowser during practice. | Nilsen Roman, Hogs On SI Image

Can Talent Overcome Inexperience?

Arkansas brought in Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, who was college basketball’s most efficient offensive weapon in the country last season. He helped the Paladins to an NCAA Tournament bid and narrow loss to eventual national runner-ups in UConn.

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Gonzaga brings quality size to the exhibition behind Huff and Diop in the starting lineup while fellow big men Chauncey Wiggins, Parker Jefferson, and Sam Funchess are likely to see the floor.

The biggest question in the paint will be whether or not Miikka Muurinen, Maper Maker, Caleb Ourigou, Ilia Frolov, Paulo Semedo and Bowser can match the physicality against an older frontcourt, and be able to battle on the boards each possession.

Freshman point guard Jordan Smith Jr., Jeremiah Wilkinson and Billy Richmond III bring a unique combination of experience, scoring, and unmatched…

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Publish date : 2026-10-24 14:05:00

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