For two programs with such storied histories that are so geographically close, it’s a surprise Kansas and Arkansas haven’t met more on the basketball court over the years.
Saturday’s game between the top-seeded Jayhawks and the eighth-seeded Razorbacks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament will be just the 14th in both schools’ history. And it’s only the third this millennium.
But outside of an early stretch in the 1960s, before Arkansas became Arkansas, the series is shockingly close.
Kansas has the biggest win: the Elite Eight upset over Todd Day and company in 1991. But Arkansas’ win over Danny Manning and the Jayhawks in 1986 was something to behold, too.
With Saturday’s mega-contest set to tip, let’s take a look back at these two teams over the years.
^ Here’s what Men’s Gym looked like in action back in the day. Photo is from the 1945-46 season, in which #Arkansas went 16-7, including 12-1 here at home. I believe that’s Mel McGaha driving, and George Kok in the post. pic.twitter.com/4W0U3DoyBP
— HogStats.com (@HogStats) August 7, 2020
Arkansas may be updating Bud Walton Arena – the Basketball Palace of Mid-America – soon. But Arkansas and Kansas’ first meeting took place in the Men’s Gymnasium. Yes, that was its official name. George Kok (above) had 11 points in the Hogs’ one-point loss in December 1946 in the Big 6 Tournament.
55 years ago today (2/19/1963), Tommy Boyer went 18-18 at the free throw line (still a @RazorbackMBB record for most FTs made without a miss in a game) and scored 30 points in Arkansas’ 83-78 win against Texas Tech in Fayetteville.
Boyer led the NCAA in FT% that season at 91.3%. pic.twitter.com/NidSIS2UJh
— HogStats.com (@HogStats) February 19, 2018
Hogue was back the next season, but it was Tommy Boyer who led Arkansas to its first victory over the Jayhawks. Like the season before, the game opened the regular season. Boyer scored 21 points in Arkansas’ overtime win.
Player & team stats for 1963-64 are now available. Click and scroll down: http://t.co/ac9oeCs1AQ
Hogs were led by Jim Magness’ 14.9 PPG.— HogStats.com (@HogStats) February 16, 2015
Arkansas and Kansas would meet every year from 1961 to 1967 with last year’s win the only one in the series. Jim Magness scored 17 in the Hogs’ first of four straight losses to the Jayhawks.
^ If you open it up to the last 60…
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