Razorbacks Upset St. John’s, Advance to Sweet 16 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ John Calipari guided the Arkansas Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 after a 75-66 victory over Rick Pitino’s No. 2 seed St. John’s. This marks Calipari’s 16th Sweet 16 appearance and his first with Arkansas. Despite early-season struggles, Arkansas surged in March Madness, eliminating top programs along the way.
John Calipari’s Razorbacks Advance to Sweet 16: Quick Looks
- Arkansas upset No. 2 seed St. John’s with a 75-66 win.
- John Calipari reached his 16th career Sweet 16 with a fourth school.
- Razorbacks started SEC play 0-5 but finished strong under Calipari’s leadership.
- Billy Richmond III scored 16 points; Karter Knox added 15.
- Arkansas previously eliminated Kansas and coach Bill Self in the first round.
- Zuby Ejiofor led St. John’s with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
- St. John’s shot just 28% from the field, struggling from 3-point range.
- Calipari called this season “one of the most rewarding” of his career.
- Arkansas closed strong as St. John’s missed crucial shots late in the game.
- The Razorbacks will face either Texas Tech or Drake in San Francisco.
Deep Look
John Calipari is no stranger to March Madness magic, but his latest achievement might stand out as one of the most rewarding of his legendary career. After leading the 10th-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks to a 75-66 upset over No. 2 seed St. John’s and longtime coaching rival Rick Pitino, Calipari is now heading to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time — and the first time with Arkansas.
This milestone victory not only highlighted Calipari’s enduring greatness but also showcased the Razorbacks’ resilience and grit during a season that many doubted would end in success. A slow start and early-season injuries saw Arkansas go 0-5 in Southeastern Conference play, but under Calipari’s guidance, they found their rhythm just in time for the most crucial part of the season.
A Personal Triumph Over a Rival
Calipari’s coaching career has often intersected with Rick Pitino’s, their rivalry stretching across decades and multiple programs. Pitino, having taken his sixth school to the NCAA Tournament, entered the game with the Big East champion St. John’s team that had dominated with defense all year. But on this night, Calipari’s Razorbacks bested their longtime nemesis in a win that seemed to carry extra weight for the Arkansas coach.
“I told them, ‘This is as rewarding as a year I’ve had, based on how far we’ve come,’” Calipari said, reflecting on his team’s journey and the satisfaction of overcoming adversity and skepticism.
Game Recap: Defense, Grit, and Missed Shots
The game unfolded with Arkansas showing early dominance, leading by as many as 13 points in the first half. St. John’s, known for its stifling defense and sharp three-point shooting, struggled to find their rhythm, making only 28% of their shots from the field and connecting on just two out of 22 attempts from beyond the arc.
Despite a valiant effort to rally, the Red Storm’s offensive struggles proved too much to overcome. The Razorbacks maintained control thanks to strong performances from Billy Richmond III, who scored 16 points, and Karter Knox, who added 15. Arkansas also benefited from crucial free throws down the stretch and maintained composure as St. John’s faltered late.
Zuby Ejiofor led St. John’s with 23 points and 12 rebounds, doing everything in his power to keep the Red Storm in the game. But ultimately, his efforts were not enough to overcome the team’s cold shooting night.
Late-Game Drama
With 6:11 left on the clock, St. John’s had narrowed the gap to just two points, trailing 62-60. But the Red Storm’s shooters went cold when it mattered most, missing their next six three-point attempts and hitting only one of their final nine shots from the floor.
Meanwhile, Arkansas capitalized. Knox sank clutch free throws to widen the gap, and a critical turnover by St. John’s guard Deivon Smith, who lost control of the ball off his knee, sealed their fate. Richmond’s final free throws with five seconds left sent the Razorbacks bench into a frenzy as players and coaches ran down the court waving to their traveling fans.
A Season Defined by Resilience
Calipari’s first season in Fayetteville has been anything but easy. After starting SEC play winless through five games, critics questioned whether the famed coach still had the magic that defined his previous stints at UMass, Memphis, and Kentucky. But the Razorbacks proved doubters wrong.
Under Calipari’s leadership, Arkansas developed a stronger identity, relying on tough defense, disciplined execution, and timely scoring. The team that once struggled to stay competitive against conference opponents found a new gear in March, first sending Kansas and Bill Self home early and now outdueling St. John’s in the Round of 32.
Pitino’s Frustration
For Rick Pitino, the loss was a bitter disappointment. His St. John’s squad had entered the tournament with the best defense in the country and a 31-5 record. Pitino’s teams are traditionally known for their full-court pressure and three-point shooting prowess, but both of those weapons faltered under the pressure of the Arkansas defense and the bright lights of March Madness.
“If they made a few shots, they probably beat us,” Calipari admitted after the game, acknowledging that the contest was closer than the score suggested.
The Road Ahead for Arkansas
Now, the Razorbacks are preparing for the Sweet 16, where they’ll face either third-seeded Texas Tech or 11th-seeded Drake in San Francisco. Both potential matchups pose their own challenges: Texas Tech’s physicality and defensive toughness or Drake’s Cinderella story magic.
But if this tournament run has shown anything, it’s that Arkansas is ready for whatever comes next. With Calipari on the sidelines, the Razorbacks have a coach who has been in every high-pressure tournament situation imaginable — from underdog battles to national championship games.
Calipari’s Legacy Continues to Grow
Calipari’s 16th Sweet 16 appearance puts him among the elite coaches in NCAA history. Even more impressively, he’s now taken four different programs to the tournament’s second weekend, a rare feat that underscores his ability to adapt, rebuild, and elevate teams regardless of their starting point.
His journey at Arkansas, still in its early stages, already shows promise for long-term success. Fans who once wondered if he could replicate his past glory now have every reason to believe that the Razorbacks are building something special under his leadership.
Team Chemistry and the “Next Man Up” Mentality
Much of Arkansas’ success this season has come from its depth and team-first mentality. Injuries early in the season forced younger players like Billy Richmond III and Karter Knox to step up, and they delivered in the biggest moments. The Razorbacks’ ability to stay composed during St. John’s comeback attempt is a testament to their mental toughness and the confidence Calipari has instilled in his roster.
“We’ve been through everything this season,” Richmond said postgame. “Coach Cal always told us, ‘Stay together, believe in each other, and good things will happen.’ Tonight, we proved that.”
Arkansas Fans Celebrate
The Razorbacks’ passionate fan base, who traveled in smaller numbers compared to the St. John’s faithful, made themselves heard as the clock wound down. Players and coaches ran across the court, pointing to their supporters, many of whom have waited years to see Arkansas make a deep run under new leadership.
Social media exploded with excitement as fans and former players congratulated Calipari and the team, praising their resilience and determination.
Conclusion: A Sweet 16 With Extra Meaning
As the Razorbacks head to San Francisco, they do so with a sense of destiny and belief. This Sweet 16 run feels different for John Calipari — not just another line on a legendary coaching resume, but a hard-fought, well-earned triumph over adversity.
The victory over Rick Pitino and the No. 2 seed St. John’s Red Storm is not just a tournament upset; it’s a symbol of what this team and coach have overcome. And with their confidence soaring, Arkansas looks poised to continue its magical March run.
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