Two ranked teams. A deep history. And a rematch that still stings.
No. 17 Arkansas (7–2) and No. 16 Texas Tech (7–2) meet on Dec. 13 in Dallas for what’s been dubbed the “Revocruit Rematch,” a neutral-site showdown that rekindles last season’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 clash. For longtime rivals with shared Southwest Conference roots, this one carries more than December implications. Arkansas' non-conference slate gets even harder with this matchup against the Red Raiders as they look to get their third straight win and some momentum leading into SEC play.
A Rivalry With Tournament Weight
Arkansas and Texas Tech have met 81 times, with the Red Raiders holding a razor-thin 41–40 edge; thanks largely to their overtime win in last year’s Sweet 16, the most recent meeting between the programs.
The rivalry has swung back and forth over the years, but Arkansas has controlled much of the recent history, winning 10 of the last 14 meetings. The last two matchups have come in the NCAA Tournament:
- Arkansas won in the 2021 Second Round
- Texas Tech answered with a Sweet 16 win last season
Arkansas’ Transition Game vs. Texas Tech’s Glass
One of the defining matchups in this game will be pace.
Arkansas ranks second in the nation in fastbreak points, averaging 22.2 per game, while allowing opponents just 9.4 fastbreak points. Texas Tech will have to be disciplined in transition defense and can’t afford to overcommit to crashing the offensive glass.
If the Red Raiders fail to sprint back, Arkansas’ athletic wings and guards will turn rebounds into instant offense. When the Razorbacks get out and run, their athleticism shines, creating space in the open court and quick ball movement that leads to high-quality looks.
Stopping JT Toppin Is the Priority
Everything starts with JT Toppin, one of the best players in college basketball. The Texas Tech star is averaging:
- 20.8 points
- 11.5 rebounds
- 53.8% shooting
The lefty dominates inside with a blend of power and polished footwork on the block. Arkansas has struggled at times defending elite interior scorers this season, most notably against Duke’s Cam Boozer, who erupted for 35 as the Razorbacks relied on single coverage. Sending Toppin to the free-throw line may not be the worst outcome, however, as he shoots just 49 percent. Putting him in the bonus later in halves and forcing him to convert at the stripe could tilt the advantage toward Arkansas while also creating extra possessions.
Nick Pringle and Trevon Brazile will shoulder the primary responsibility, but Arkansas is likely to mix coverages and send help when needed. The goal isn’t to stop Toppin, but to limit him. The Razorbacks must be stronger and more disciplined on the low block, and if Toppin heats up early, Coach Cal will need to adjust on the fly rather than allowing the matchup to spiral as it did against Duke.
Perimeter Battle Could Swing the Game
Texas Tech enters shooting 36.5% from three, ranking 76th nationally. Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson are both above 40% from deep, combining for 15.1 three-point attempts per game.
Arkansas’ perimeter defense has quietly improved after shaky outings against Winthrop and Samford. The Razorbacks now rank 28th nationally in opponent three-point percentage (27.7%), a trend that will be tested heavily in Dallas.
Arkansas’ offensive rhythm increasingly runs through its young backcourt, Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas.
Acuff has found his groove as the primary initiator, especially in pick-and-roll situations, combining scoring aggression with improved decision-making. Meleek Thomas remains a vital scoring option with his all around game, while the rest of the lineup must play its roles; defend, rebound, and run.
Trevon Brazile’s impact will loom large. Arkansas needs him active on the glass and disciplined defensively against a physical Texas Tech frontcourt for them to set the tone down low in the paint.
What to Watch
- Can Arkansas maintain transition dominance?
- Which team wins the three-point battle?
- Can Arkansas’ freshmen guards continue getting better and rise up even more in a high-stakes environment?
Final Thought
This feels like March in December. Two ranked teams. A revenge angle. A rivalry that’s as even as it gets. Arkansas enters with momentum after quality wins, while Texas Tech has the star power to control the game inside and
Both teams needs this win to carry momentum as we enter deeper into non-conference play inching closer to the conference slate. Arkansas needs their star freshmen to show up and Texas Tech needs Toppin to dominate down low. Whichever team executes its game plan better won’t just win a showcase matchup, it’ll send a message nationally.