Five Bold Calls for Arkansas Basketball’s 2026-27 Season
On November 3, 2026, Arkansas basketball entered its third season under John Calipari with expectations raised and a revamped roster. Five predictions include a 30-win season, individual honors and a return to the Elite Eight.
Arkansas is expected to contend for a major postseason run in John Calipari’s third year, despite losing three players to the NBA draft. The Razorbacks added the top-ranked recruiting class, several transfers and junior wing Billy Richmond III, while facing a demanding nonconference schedule featuring Arizona, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan State and Virginia.
One prediction is that Arkansas will win at least 30 games for the first time since 1994-95, when the team reached the national championship game. The Razorbacks have come close to that mark in recent seasons, including under Calipari in 2026.
Freshman Jordan Smith is tipped to contend for national player of the year. He earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors in high school and scored 17 points in 18 minutes against Memphis after a slower exhibition debut against Gonzaga. The forecast hinges on him becoming a major contributor as a scorer, passer and defender.
The other individual predictions are that center Cooper Bowser will earn All-SEC recognition and that 7-foot forward Miikka Muurinen will average a double-double. Bowser averaged nine points and 10 rebounds across the Gonzaga and Memphis exhibitions. Muurinen collected 12 rebounds against Memphis, but adjusting to the physicality of SEC opponents is identified as a key challenge.
The final call is that Arkansas will reach its first Elite Eight since 2022. The team’s added size and depth in the paint could give Calipari more lineup options, though the prediction does not guarantee a deeper tournament run.