As the excitement of March Madness continues, fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup between the No. 2 seed St. John’s Red Storm and the No. 10 seed Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The game will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, at 2:40 PM ET. After a thrilling first round, where St. John’s triumphed over No. 15 Omaha 83-53, and Arkansas upset No. 7 Kansas 79-72, both teams are ready to fight for a spot in the Sweet 16.
St. John’s has been on a hot streak lately, winning ten consecutive games and boasting an impressive record of 31-4 this season. In addition to their tournament opener victory, the Red Storm claimed the Big East championship, marking a standout season under head coach Rick Pitino, who has guided six different programs to the NCAA Tournament—a record in itself. Pitino’s squad is known for its rigorous defense, ranking 22nd in the nation by allowing only 65.5 points per game.
On the other side, the Arkansas Razorbacks, led by new head coach John Calipari this season, are looking to capitalize on their late-season momentum. Despite starting SEC play with an abysmal 0-5, the Razorbacks ended the season strong, going 10-6 over their last 16 games, including heavyweights like Kentucky and Texas. They aim to overcome a disappointing overall record of 20-13 to make a memorable run through March Madness.
The Razorbacks are a formidable opponent, highlighted by their size and shot-blocking abilities, ranking seventh in the nation with a block percentage of 15.3. This presents a significant challenge for St. John’s, which has struggled with its shooting; they rank 342nd in the nation with a 3-point shooting rate of just 31.1%.
Arkansas has faced some injuries, with top scorers Boogie Fland and Adou Thiero missing games this season, but the return of Fland from thumb surgery in the tournament opener has been a much-needed boost. Thiero, a 6-foot-8 forward, could make a limited appearance after practicing leading up to Saturday's game.
As the teams prepare to square off, St. John’s holds a slight advantage with a betting line favoring them by 6.5 points. Analysts are intrigued about Arkansas’ overall talent, particularly the offensive prowess of players like D.J. Wagner and Johnell Davis. While St. John’s has displayed a solid defensive foundation, concerns remain about their offensive capabilities, especially with competition expected at this level.
With the stakes getting higher, both teams are motivated to deliver their best performance on national television. The matchup has attracted considerable attention from analysts and fans alike, who eagerly await which team will advance to the next round. It is crucial for St. John’s to leverage its balanced offensive and defensive strategies, while Arkansas needs to continue its momentum and tap into the depth of its roster.
Given their recent form, it appears that St. John’s has a path to success, but Arkansas will be no pushover. As they prepare for this face-off, one thing is certain: the tournament is about to get thrillingly competitive.
The matchup is set to be broadcast on CBS, and fans can also stream it via Fubo. Viewers can anticipate an exhilarating game filled with college basketball's best as two legendary coaches clash on the hardwood.
