Calipari on NCAA Tournament Chances After Auburn Loss

Razorbacks still have opportunities to make NCAA Tournament without doubt, at-large bid is "in our hands"

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) goes up for a layup as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead Arkansas Razorbacks 33-27 at halftime. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This has been one of the more challenging seasons of Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari's career. His team continues to be in position to score an upset victory of a Top10 opponent, but fell short once again Wednesday night to No. 1 Auburn 67-60.

The Razorbacks had a lead with three minutes to go in one of the toughest venues in the SEC, but couldn't finish the job against the Tigers. Calipari's Hogs are now backed into a corner with five games left to play in the regular season and their path to the NCAA Tournament is more narrow than before.

"That is a Final Four game."

Arkansas HC John Calipari reacts to the Razorbacks' loss at No. 1 Auburn. pic.twitter.com/8kWSnvj5Dw

— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2025

"We kind of quieted the [Auburn] crowd a little bit, but that’s why they’re the No. 1 team and that’s why we have the record we have," Calipari said. "We had that against Alabama, we had it against Texas A&M, I can go on and on and on, and we don’t finish people off. That’s what makes them the No. 1 team in the country. They made the plays and they made their free throws."

It's Johnell Davis! pic.twitter.com/FBbmWx3P9A

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) February 20, 2025

Arkansas has been given plenty of opportunities to register multiple signature victories this season that would do wonders in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The Razorbacks were within striking distance of Baylor in November, a ferocious comeback against No. 3 Alabama in the final moments and were tied late against No. 8 Texas A&M, but came away empty handed each time

"We had a chance today," Calipari said. "The A&M game tied up. We had a lead with three minutes to go here. We’ve got a chance. We’ve got to finish it off now, and if you don’t finish it off or don’t take advantage, that’s on us."

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari speaks in the huddle during a time-out in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Arkansas will have two grand opportunities to make its case to dance in March with home games against Missouri this Saturday and Texas Feb. 26.

"But it’s in our hands," Calipari said. "It’s not going to be in the [selection] committee’s hands. It’s in our hands. You either do it or you don’t. I told [the team] that." 

HOGS FEED:

• Loss to No. 1 Auburn may give Calipari early jump on most of SEC reshaping roster

• Auburn holds on against Arkansas, protects No. 1 ranking

• All options on table for Razorbacks' SEC transfer in logjam

• Hogs' 1990 Final Four team to be honored at Saturday's game

• Who Hogs will host for official visits this summer?

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