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Final Four or bust? Overreacting to Arkansas basketball's open practice

Is it too early to say, "Final Four or bust?"
ByAustin Farmer|
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4), forward Billy Richmond III (24) and guard D.J. Wagner (21) celebrate after defeating the St. John's Red Storm in a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4), forward Billy Richmond III (24) and guard D.J. Wagner (21) celebrate after defeating the St. John's Red Storm in a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Arkansas football is the next sport up, and SEC Media Days are right around the corner, but Arkansas basketball is all anyone on the Hill can talk about right now. On Wednesday, the head coach, John Calipari, opened practice to the media and gave Razorback Nation a taste of what's to come in November.

Overreacting to Arkansas basketball's open practice

With the most returning minutes in the SEC, the early chemistry on the floor is ahead of schedule. D.J. Wagner, Billy Richmond, and Karter Knox were all hitting on all cylinders, but the one returner that caught the eye of the media was Trevon Brazile.

Trevon Brazile shines

The 6-foot-10 fifth-year senior has often lacked energy and urgency in the summer. Over the last few offseasons, Brazile has had to recover from an ACL injury and navigate a new coach in June and July, but now he's healthy with a year under Calipari behind him. Before Wednesday's open practice, former Razorback assistant coach and current "Razorback Daily" podcast host, Matt Zimmerman, glowed over Brazile's improvement.

“The Trevon that you saw in March is the Trevon that’s been here in June or July,” Zimmerman said. “If this young man will sustain this energy and this effort that he’s got right now, he’s going to have a phenomenal season.”

Over the summer, Brazile tacked on weight and has filled out his frame. The added muscle has made him faster, stronger, and more aggressive, while maintaining his ability to stretch the floor from beyond the arc. After practice, Calipari had nothing but great things to say about Brazile. "He has played so well that he's not even the same guy," Calipari said.

Team chemistry off the charts

Brazile wasn't the only one who impressed in the frontcourt; both incoming transfers looked solid. Malique Ewin, who has never attempted a three-point shot in a collegiate game, was knocking them down left and right. On the other hand, Nick Pringle is exactly what Arkansas thought they'd get out of the South Carolina star—loads of energy and physicality.

According to reports, the freshmen are also making an early impact. Former 5-stars Malik Thomas and Darius Acuff complement each other with Thomas' downhill aggressive approach and Acuff's smooth, finesse style. But Springdale product Isaiah Sealy impressed in his own right.

The chemistry off the court is growing, too. In the post-practice presser, the media spoke with Brazile, Wagner, Thomas, and Pringle. Throughout the interview, the players were laughing and making jokes with (and about) one another. One viral instance was when Brazile reminded Pringle that Arkansas was the team that ended South Carolina's season in March.

Calipari has done an amazing job constructing this season's roster. The pieces complement each other, and they mesh well already. The team screams "Final Four," but in fear of counting chicken before they hatch, we'll hold off on those types of predictions. However, If the team continues to improve, the Arkansas basketball team will be a force to deal with come SEC play.

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