Legends Collide: Arkansas Battles St. John’s for Sweet 16 Berth

A Storied Rivalry, A New Chapter

Pitino, now 72, was once a counselor at the legendary Five-Star Basketball Camp, where a young Calipari, now 66, was a camper. Decades later, they became fierce rivals in the Bluegrass State. Now, they bring their battle-tested styles to the biggest stage in college basketball, with Arkansas and St. John’s standing in as the latest chess pieces in their coaching legacies.

"They're a team that's going to be prepared," Calipari said of St. John’s. "They're going to play hard. They're going to play rough. It's going to be bump-and-grind. You're not getting a free layup without getting bumped. That's [Pitino’s] teams."

Pitino returned the praise: "[Arkansas] has a great lineup. Their size is what's imposing. They can step out and do so many things. They're quite impressive."

Arkansas Overcomes Adversity

Arkansas fought through a tough first-round battle, outlasting Kansas 79-72 behind grit and timely plays. Injuries have plagued the Razorbacks all season, and they were without Adou Thiero in the opening round. However, Boogie Fland returned just in time to provide key minutes, helping first-year Arkansas head coach John Calipari secure his first NCAA Tournament win with the program.

The Razorbacks play hard, defend well, and have the athleticism to match St. John’s intensity. Their size advantage will be a key factor, especially on the boards, where they rank among the nation’s best in blocked shots.

St. John’s Relentless Style

Pitino's Red Storm might not be the best shooting team, but they make up for it with suffocating defense, rebounding, and sheer effort. They outworked Omaha in the first round despite missing free throws and struggling from beyond the arc. St. John’s thrives on second-chance opportunities and hustle plays. Their defense wears opponents down, often making late-game execution difficult for teams that aren’t used to their relentless pressure.

Keys to Victory

For Arkansas, securing defensive rebounds and avoiding foul trouble will be crucial. St. John’s will try to control the tempo and impose its will physically. Arkansas, meanwhile, must capitalize on its shooting edge and prevent St. John’s from dominating in transition. The Razorbacks' depth issues could be their Achilles' heel against Pitino’s high-energy squad.

The Final Verdict

In a game featuring two elite coaches and historic programs, expect a battle of adjustments. Both teams bring toughness, but Arkansas must be near-perfect to avoid being overwhelmed by St. John’s intensity. Only one can advance, and the answer comes Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET on CBS.