PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — John Calipari has reached the Sweet 16 for the 16th time, and this run might be the sweetest yet.
Calipari, coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks, led his team to a 75-66 victory over Rick Pitino and No. 2 seed St. John’s. This marks a big achievement for Calipari as he takes a team to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time with a different school.
Billy Richmond III scored 16 points, while Karter Knox added 15 for the 10th-seeded Razorbacks. Their triumph was particularly notable as they had previously defeated Kansas and their Hall of Fame coach, Bill Self, in the first round. Despite a shaky start to the season, Calipari has turned the Razorbacks (22-13) into a competitive team. They will now face third-seeded Texas Tech in the West Region semifinals in San Francisco.
“This is as rewarding as a year I’ve had, based on how far we’ve come,” Calipari noted. His team’s journey this season has been a testament to resilience. They started with tough injuries, even falling to 0-5 at the beginning of their Southeastern Conference schedule. But they have fought back with grit and determination.
Zuby Ejiofor stood out for St. John’s, posting 23 points and 12 rebounds. Unfortunately, their star, RJ Luis Jr., struggled, scoring only nine points on a poor shooting night. Pitino acknowledged, “They outplayed us. They deserve to move on.” This serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of March Madness; even strong regular seasons can end abruptly in the tournament.
Historically, Pitino has had notable success in Providence. He led the Friars to the Final Four in 1987, establishing a reputation for demanding defensive play and sharpshooting. This season, St. John’s had the best defense in the country and entered the tournament as a No. 2 seed for the first time in 25 years. Yet, they faltered in this crucial moment, becoming the first team seeded fourth or higher to exit the tournament early.
Calipari respected St. John’s capabilities, admitting, “If they made a few shots, they probably beat us. We were fortunate to get out.” Both teams struggled with shooting, combining for just four 3-pointers on 41 attempts. St. John’s overall shooting percentage was only 28%. Pitino expressed disappointment in his team’s performance, saying, “I just hate to see us play that way offensively.”
The game’s key moments came in the final minutes. Arkansas had a substantial lead of 13 in the first half and was up by eight with just eight minutes left. However, St. John’s made a push to bring it closer, cutting the lead to just two points. But they missed crucial shots down the stretch, allowing Arkansas to secure their victory.
With excitement buzzing in the air, Arkansas fans celebrated as the final buzzer sounded. This victory not only propels them further into the tournament but also highlights Calipari’s ability to adapt and lead diverse teams to success. As fans and analysts turn their attention to the next round, the Razorbacks are generating buzz, proving that they’re a team to watch this March Madness.
For more updates and bracket information, visit the AP March Madness section: NCAA Men’s Bracket and check out the latest coverage here.
Check out this related article: Gopher Heavyweight Gable Steveson Falls Short in Quest for Historic Third NCAA Title
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