Don't call Arkansas Cinderella, call them America's team

In John Calipari's inaugural season, the Razorbacks are heading to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in five years. Battling through 7-seed Kansas and 2-seed St. John's, Arkansas has made a name for itself nationally, with media personalities like Jay Bilas and Steven A. Smith taking notice.

However, only two short months ago, the nation had declared Arkansas basketball dead. The Hogs started 1-6 in conference play when the Razorbacks lost their star freshman, Boogie Fland. But as Calipari's new go-to saying goes, they put Arkansas in a coffin and forgot to put the nails in. The Razorbacks finished 8-10 in the SEC, earning a 9-seed in the conference tournament and barely scrapping together a resume worthy of an at-large March Madness bid.

While the Hogs have been an underdog through their first two games and will continue to be throughout the rest of the NCAA Tournament, do not call them a Cinderella team — you should call them America's team.

Making the case for Arkansas as America's team.

One of the things that makes March Madness the best postseason tournament in sports is the phenomenon of the Cinderella team. A lower-seeded team, usually a midmajor squad, Cinderella teams capture the hearts of Americans every March, giving those without a team in the tournament one to cheer for.

Heading into the Sweet Sixteen, Arkansas is the lowest seed (10) and the biggest underdog left in the field. On the surface, the Razorbacks look like the Cinderella team this year, but that's not the case.

Unmet expectations

One thing that Arkansas has that Cinderella teams don't is preseason expectations. By most measures, the Hogs underperformed in 2025. Arkansas had the best transfer class and the second-highest recruiting class, according to 247Sports. It was supposed to contend for an SEC Championship, but instead, the Hogs barely made the NCAA Tournament.

In hindsight, Calipari shot himself in the foot by only bringing in nine scholarship players, but the talent was there. Unfortunately, the one thing that couldn't happen did; an injury bug spread around the locker room. First, Jonas Aidoo broke his foot. Next, Johnell Davis fell out of a golf cart and hurt his shooting hand. The two impact transfers Calipari brought to Fayetteville were limited before the season even started!

That alone put Arkansas behind schedule, but it got worse. In the middle of the season, as mentioned before, Fland injured his thumb and needed surgery — a surgery that was supposed to be season-ending. Last but certainly not least, Arkansas' leading scorer, Adou Theiro, hyper-extended his knee in the second game against Missouri.

Growing stronger through adversity

Arkansas could've laid down and died like most of the country wanted especially Big Blue Nation. Instead, they pushed through adversity, and despite the growing list of injuries, the team got better.

Arkansas fans watched freshmen Karter Knox and Billy Richmond III grow up before their eyes, developing and learning the nuances of the collegiate game. Zvonimir Ivisic emerged as the team's biggest 3-point threat, stretching the floor at 7-foot-2. As the season progressed, Trevon Brazile found his confidence again, and now he looks like the player Arkansas fans knew he could be.

Those four and DJ Wagner, the team's only consistent player, carried Arkansas through the heart of the conference schedule, giving Davis and Aidoo enough time to recover.

Over the last seven games, Aidoo scored double-digit points five times, including two 20 pieces. He's also had three rebound double-doubles. Davis, on the other hand, has been lights out since the game against Oklahoma. Of those 16 games, the Florida Atlantic transfer scored in double figures 14 times.

Going into the NCAA Tournament, Arkansas also received news that Fland was medically cleared to play. While he hasn't provided much on the scoreboard yet, he's given Arkansas valuable minutes, giving others a breather without turning over the ball. And on defense, he's been a nuisance, especially against Kansas.

With Adou Thiero reportedly having the green light to play against Texas Tech, it would be the first time all season that the Razorbacks have had a healthy team, and no one left in the tournament wants to meet them if that's the case.

Why Arkansas should be America's team

In one word: perseverance.

If there's one thing America appreciates it's hard work and perseverance, exceptionally perseverance through tribulation. On paper, Arkansas was an elite team. However, fate threw one blow after another, and still, the Hogs pushed on.

No one else left in the field has dealt with more than Arkansas. No one in the field has had as many injuries as Arkansas. And more importantly, no one in the field has conquered adversity like Arkansas.

Calipari and the Razorbacks have been the biggest story in college basketball, and if not the sports world at large. And as long as they keep winning, that story will continue to grow. So, America, you might as well jump on the bandwagon while you have the chance and start learning to call the Hogs because Arkansas shows no signs of slowing down.