College Basketball Preseason Rankings: No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks

Top-25 College Basketball: Arkansas Projected Roster & Outlook

In this series, we'll be taking a closer look at RotoWire's preseason college basketball top-25, with an in-depth roster analysis and projected rotation for the 2025-26 season for each team. Today's feature will be the Arkansas Razorbacks.

13. Arkansas

Year 1 of the John Calipari era at Arkansas had its ups and downs. In the end, the Razorbacks defeated Kansas and St. John's on their way to the Sweet Sixteen as a No. 10 seed before eventually falling in OT to Texas Tech. 

There's certainly something to build on, and coach Cal seemed to create a new identity of toughness with this team. Arkansas was 18th in KenPom in defensive efficiency -- the highest mark for a Calipari-led team since the 2018-19 campaign with Kentucky. 

There will be a lot of talent departing ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, but there are some exciting new pieces entering the program. Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas are both 5-star recruits and are arguably the two best scoring guards in the entire class. They will quickly help solve some of the offensive inconsistencies this team dealt with last season. 

The Razorbacks will also get some experience back with guard D.J. Wagner and Trevon Brazile. Karter Knox and Billy Richmond were two of coach Cal's top recruits a year ago, and both should be back to continue to build on solid freshman campaigns. 

Finally, Arkansas added some much needed size following the departures of Jonas Aidoo and Zvonimir Ivisic. Enter Malique Ewin from Florida State and Nick Pringle from South Carolina. Both are capable of starting and will bring some toughness to continue the theme from last season. 

Check out how injuries are affecting the status of other players & teams on RotoWire's college basketball injury report.

2025-26 Arkansas Basketball Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Darius Acuff (No. 5 in ESPN 100)

SG: D.J. Wagner (11.2 PPG)

SF: Karter Knox (8.3 PPG)

PF: Trevon Brazile (6.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG)

C: Malique Ewin (14.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG at Florida State)

Key Reserves: Meleek Thomas (No. 10 in ESPN 100), Nick Pringle (9.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG at South Carolina), Billy Richmond (5.7 PPG), Isaiah Sealy (4-star Freshman)

Following another active transfer portal period, RotoWire's college basketball depth charts are updated with the latest in roster movement.

2025-26 Full Preseason College Basketball Top-25

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13. Arkansas Razorbacks
14. UCLA Bruins
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
16. Iowa State Cyclones
17. Arizona Wildcats
18. Michigan State Spartans
19. Gonzaga Bulldogs
20. Kansas Jayhawks
21. Tennessee Volunteers
22. North Carolina Tar Heels
23. Oregon Ducks
24. Illinois Fighting Illini
25. Wisconsin Badgers