For the second Saturday in a row, Arkansas basketball will square off against a former Southwest Conference rival on a neutral floor and once again, it comes against a top-20 opponent.
The No. 14 Razorbacks face No. 8 Houston in the Never Forget Tribute Classic on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET, with national coverage on CBS.
A Gauntlet of Elite Competition
Last week, Arkansas earned one of its most impressive wins of the season, knocking off No. 16 Texas Tech 93–86 in Dallas as part of the Revocruit Rematch. Add that victory to earlier matchups against Michigan State and Duke, and the Razorbacks will have faced four teams that reached the Elite Eight a season ago, Texas Tech, Duke, Michigan State and now Houston, before league play even begins.
That schedule doesn’t ease up in SEC play either, with Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and Alabama also reaching the Elite Eight last season. Simply put, Arkansas has embraced one of the nation’s toughest slates.
Renewing an Old Rivalry
Arkansas and Houston were longtime Southwest Conference rivals from 1976–91 before the Razorbacks’ move to the SEC. Since then, the programs have met just three times, but Arkansas still holds a 22–18 edge in the all-time series. The teams have split six neutral-court meetings at three wins apiece, and prior to leaving the SWC, Arkansas rattled off seven straight victories over the Cougars. Head coach John Calipari has also enjoyed success against Houston, owning a 17–3 career record against the Cougars, including a Sweet 16 win in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
The Key X-Factors of the Game
Can Arkansas Rebound?
The biggest concern for the Razorbacks may come on the defensive glass.
According to BartTorvik.com, Houston ranks 21st nationally in offensive rebounding rate, securing 38.8% of its missed shots. Arkansas, meanwhile, sits 188th in defensive rebounding, collecting just 31.3% of opponent misses.
The trend has been telling: Arkansas struggled on the boards in losses to Duke and Michigan State, but won the rebounding battle in victories over Texas Tech and Louisville. Seems like the writing is on the wall, if Arkansas win sthe rebounding battle they'll have a good chance of winning the game. This will come down to Brazile (7.1 rebs per game), Karter Knox (5.5), and Nick Pringle (5.4) to get physical setting the tone early on the low block.
Houston presents a far tougher challenge. Chris Cenac Jr. (7.5 rebounds per game) and Joseph Tugler (5.0 rebounds) anchor a physical frontcourt, and the Cougars swarm the glass as a unit. Arkansas’ guards and wings will need to crash down aggressively on every Houston miss to limit second-chance opportunities.
Three-Point Shooting: Strength vs. Strength
Another defining matchup will come from beyond the arc.
Arkansas is shooting 38.2% from three, ranking 35th nationally, while Houston’s defense holds opponents to just 26.8%, the 12th-best mark in the country.
The Razorbacks have been red-hot recently, with Brazile, Karter Knox, and Acuff combining to shoot 35-of-68 from three-point range over the past five games. If that shooting continues against Houston’s disciplined perimeter defense, Arkansas will have a strong chance to steal the game. Coach Sampson has consistently led some of the country’s top defensive teams, and this year is no different. Limiting the Razorbacks’ attempts and makes from deep will be crucial to Houston’s game plan.
Matchup of the Game: Acuff vs. Flemings
Saturday also features a must-watch showdown between two star freshman guards.
Houston’s Kingston Flemings is averaging 14.8 points and 4.9 assists per game while shooting an eye-popping 51.7% from three. Acuff leads Arkansas with 18.2 points and 6.1 assists, recording two double-doubles in his last four outings.
Both guards are widely viewed as potential first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, and this matchup offers a measuring stick, not just against elite competition, but against each other. Whichever freshman can elevate his game the most could swing momentum in a tightly contested battle. Scouts will have a close eye on this game.
Ball Security and Defense Will Matter
Turnovers could decide the outcome.
Houston thrives defensively, with Flemings averaging 2.0 steals per game and Tugler adding 1.7 steals and 2.1 blocks, anchoring one of the nation’s stingiest units. The Cougars allow just 57.7 points per game, while Arkansas gives up 73.2, though the Razorbacks are comparable in steals and blocks.
Limiting turnovers and preventing Houston from turning defense into offense will be critical for Arkansas. No extra possessions for the Cougars so if Arkansas can stay disciplined like they've shown as of lately on their hot streak, they can weather the storm and get the edge.
Prediction
Expect a physical, high-level matchup worthy of national attention. Arkansas has enough shooting and star power to keep this game close deep into the second half, but Houston’s edge on the glass and its elite defensive consistency may ultimately be the difference.
Prediction: Houston narrowly defeats Arkansas 71-66 in a hard-fought showdown.