7-Seed Arkansas Draws Butler In NCAA Tournament

Arkansas has made the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years for the first time in over a decade. Their draw this year is a 7-seed against 10-seed Butler in scenic Detroit, Michigan. The winner will get the winner of Purdue and Cal State Fullerton.

We know Arkansas will play on Friday (and Sunday should they win). Times for all the games are currently being decided. Here is the entire region that Arkansas was put into.

UPDATE: Tip off is scheduled for 2:10 CT, the game will be on TruTV.

It’s not an ideal draw for Arkansas, but is a manageable one. After finishing 21-10 in the regular season, most thought getting past Florida in the SEC Tournament could get them a 6-seed. The committee seemed to value quality non-conference wins more, making the free falls of Oklahoma and Minnesota this year potentially harmful for Arkansas.

Arkansas has to travel just under 900 miles to Detroit. Butler on the other hand, is just making a 278 mile drive. It’s an almost identical 277 miles for Purdue. Arkansas’ games might have a definite road feel to them, and they will play a team(s) with very different styles from the Hogs. It is the second year in a row Arkansas will play a Big East team in the first round, but Arkansas won’t see the pounding, dominant post presence that Seton Hall had last year. Butler is 224th in D-1 in offensive rebounding percentage.

Stick with us as we’ll have a scouting breakdown on Arkansas’ pod. (Yes, even for Cal State Fullerton, you never know.) Plus updates on TV times and stations.