Arkansas Hosts LSU as Snow and Cold Set Scene Saturday at Bud Walton Arena

Razorbacks, Tigers blend winter weather with SEC basketball.

Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr (5) celebrates during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE — Saturday morning in Northwest Arkansas isn’t easing anyone into the day gently.

Forecasts call for temperatures below zero early, snow beginning to stack up, and the kind of cold that makes coffee feel like a life choice. It’s not exactly beach weather, but it does pair nicely with college basketball.

That’s the backdrop as Arkansas welcomes LSU to Bud Walton Arena for another SEC match-up. The Hogs will be warm and comfortable inside where they have become virtually unstoppable, unlike when they hit the road.

Arkansas comes into the game riding momentum after knocking off No. 15 Vanderbilt, 93-68, earlier in the week. The Razorbacks are above .500 in SEC play and have looked more settled as January rolls on.

The offense has been smoother, the rotations cleaner, and the confidence more noticeable — even if the sidewalks outside are anything but smooth.

Second-year head coach John Calipari has talked often about rhythm. His team has found some lately, and that matters in a league where one bad week can undo a month of progress.

Arkansas hasn’t been perfect, but the Razorbacks have been steady, and steady counts in the SEC.

Darius Acuff Jr. continues to be the engine. He leads the Razorbacks in both scoring and assists, setting the tone and keeping things from speeding up when games get choppy.

running weather report from fayetteville:

suboptimal.. pic.twitter.com/qIEHn6GSwr

— bradydoty (@bradydoty) January 24, 2026

LSU Looks for Answers on Road

LSU arrives in Fayetteville still searching for consistency in conference play. The Tigers have talent and multiple scoring options, but SEC games have a way of punishing small mistakes. On the road, those mistakes tend to echo louder.

Dedan Thomas Jr. has been a reliable scorer for LSU, leading the team and giving the Tigers a steady offensive option. Several teammates are also averaging double figures, which gives LSU flexibility, especially when possessions break down late in the shot clock.

Head coach Matt McMahon has been open about the challenges. His team has competed, but finishing strong in games has become difficult in SEC play. That doesn’t get easier in a building like Bud Walton even though the crowd will be made up mostly of students who were able to walk to the arena and take advantage of tickets handed down by season ticket holders who can't make it.

Snow day essentials:
- Boots
- Hot chocolate
- Hog basketball

Disclosure: Tigers, be on the lookout for wild hogs 🐗❄️ pic.twitter.com/rVAvMFU5Du

— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) January 24, 2026

A Familiar Matchup with Extra Atmosphere

Saturday marks another chapter in a long series between Arkansas and LSU. The Razorbacks hold the edge historically and have enjoyed recent success at home against the Tigers.

These games don’t usually come with many surprises, but they do tend to reward discipline.

Arkansas has leaned into that idea during its recent stretch. The Hogs haven’t chased style points. They’ve defended better, shared the ball, and trusted the next possession.

That approach has played well at home as the Razorbacks have pushed their record to 11-0 in Bud Walton with the meat of the SEC schedule on tap.

Snow is expected to continue into the afternoon, with bitter cold hanging around through tip-off. The game, originally schedule for 7:30 p.m., has been moved up to a 4 p.m. start.

Game Time, Channel and Stream Info

• Matchup: Arkansas vs. LSU
• Time: 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon
• Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville
• TV: SEC Network
• Streaming: Watch ESPN and audio at HitThatLinne.com
• Radio: Razorback Sports Network on ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home. Satellite channels are Sirius Channel 99, XM Channel 190, TuneIn