Surging No. 14 Michigan presents challenge for John Calipari, Arkansas

Going into the 2024-25 college basketball season, not many fans thought too much about Arkansas' matchup with Michigan in New York City on Tuesday.

John Calipari's Razorbacks were expected to be among the best teams in the country, and while a solid program, Michigan was not seen as a particularly formidable opponent. 

A month into the season, however, the narrative has flipped completely. Arkansas hasn't been bad over its 7-2 start, but the Hogs are just 1-2 against Power Four competition. On the other hand, the Wolverines are ranked No. 14 in the country and have won seven straight games following a 72-70 setback at the hands of Wake Forest. 

This makes the matchup between the two squads one of the most intriguing of December and a game fit for primetime on ESPN. 

A year after going 8-24, Michigan is one of the hottest teams in the country. It hasn't risen to its top-15 perch by beating up on lesser competition, either: the Wolverines have taken down the likes of TCU, Virginia Tech, Xavier, No. 20 Wisconsin and Iowa en route to an 8-1 record that has them at the top of the Big Ten. 

Arkansas, meanwhile, has traversed a far bumpier road en route to their 7-2 mark. A 76-73 triumph over Miami on Dec. 3 is Arkansas' only victory against a Power Four team, as a 90-77 thrashing at the hands of Illinois and a 72-67 loss to Baylor left fans wondering what happened to Calipari's supposedly flashy roster. 

As threatening as the red-hot Wolverines may seem to the Razorbacks, it's not all doom and gloom. When the Hogs are firing on all cylinders — as they were in the second half of Saturday's victory over UTSA — they're dangerous. Calipari has assembled an immensely talented roster that can play with and beat any team in the country — assuming said roster plays to its potential. 

For Arkansas to pull off the upset in Madison Square Garden, the Razorbacks must play to their potential. There can be no shrinking in the bright lights of New York City, or another Illinois-esque game will play out. 

If Calipari and the Razorbacks can beat Michigan, the doubters who have peddled all the negative publicity about his first team in Fayetteville will have a good reason to stay silent. A victory over a surging Michigan team would give Arkansas the momentum it needs heading into SEC play in January.