SPORTS

Sooners Advance, Arkansas Awaits Quarterfinal Matchup

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. Oklahoma defeated South Carolina 86-74 Wednesday in the SEC Tournament's opening round as Nijel Pack scored 24 points to lead the Sooners. Kentucky beat LSU 87-82 earlier, with Otega Oweh scoring 23 and Brandon Garrison adding 17 off the bench. Oklahoma then beat Texas A&M 83-63 Thursday to advance and will play Arkansas in the quarterfinals Friday. Arkansas earned a double-bye into the quarterfinals after a 23-8 regular season. South Carolina finished 13-19. Game statistics and scoring runs were reported by multiple outlets and box scores. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Jan 27, 2026 — Arkansas defeated Oklahoma 83-79 in Fayetteville during regular season play.
March 11, 2026 — Oklahoma beat South Carolina 86-74 in SEC Tournament opening round; Pack scored 24.
March 11, 2026 — Kentucky beat LSU 87-82 in another SEC opening-round game; Oweh scored 23.
March 12, 2026 — Oklahoma defeated Texas A&M 83-63 to advance to quarterfinals.
March 13, 2026 — Arkansas scheduled to face Oklahoma in SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a college basketball fan, this is prime time. The SEC Tournament is heating up. Oklahoma's victories and Arkansas' strong season could make for a thrilling quarterfinal. Check game times and tune in for some exciting basketball action.

The Bottom Line

Oklahoma's on a roll, but Arkansas had a solid regular season and beat the Sooners earlier this year. This quarterfinal matchup could go either way. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves a good underdog story.