Arkansas Upsets St. John's, Advances to Sweet 16

John Calipari's first season as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks has culminated in a surprising run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, following a 75-66 upset against St. John's. After a challenging start with a 0-5 record in the SEC, the Razorbacks displayed resilience and teamwork, leading Calipari to describe this season as one of the most rewarding of his career. His motivational speech before the game emphasized fighting spirit, which resonated with the team and contributed to their victory over a favored opponent. St. John's head coach Rick Pitino acknowledged that Arkansas outplayed his team, despite foul troubles affecting their performance. The Razorbacks, a 10 seed, have managed to defy expectations and will face the winner of Texas Tech and Drake for a place in the Elite Eight. This achievement marks Calipari's successful debut season with Arkansas, making him the first coach to reach the Sweet 16 in his first year with the program.