Massive Arkansas injury update might seal Razorbacks' NCAA Tournament fate

Thiero hasn't played since Feb. 22 after suffering a knee injury. Arkansas is 4-2 during that stretch, including its worst shooting performance of the season (so far) in a 72-53 March 1 loss to South Carolina (12-20, 2-16 in SEC). The Razorbacks were 15-of-52 (28.8 percent), including 3-of-22 from three-point range (13.6 percent).

While not a three-point threat, Thiero has shot 54.8 percent on two-point attempts and averaged 15.6 points per game in 26 games.

West Region No. 10 seed Arkansas (20-13, 8-10 in SEC) will have a puncher's chance with freshman guard Boogie Fland, out since Jan. 18 with a thumb injury that required surgery, returning. However, being without Thiero increases the likelihood that the Razorbacks will be one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament.

That would follow a troubling recent trend for Calipari. Since 2021, he has failed to get his teams past the NCAA Tournament's first weekend, including two losses in the Round of 64.

Last season at Kentucky, the Wildcats lost a stunner as a No. 3 seed to No. 14 seed Oakland, 80-76. In 2022, Calipari's No. 2 seed Wildcats lost to No. 15 seed St. Peter's, 85-79.

While those were upsets, few would be surprised by a truncated Arkansas NCAA Tournament run. Most might even consider it likely with Thiero watching from the bench.