Houston's roster features key players like Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, and Joseph Tugler, and the team aims to build on their strong preseason ranking.

This upcoming college basketball event on December 20, 2025, is set to be a major showcase early in the non-conference season, featuring highly ranked teams Arkansas and Houston.

The Arkansas-Houston game is part of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, a charity event supporting 9/11-related causes.

This game is part of a larger tripleheader on December 20, which also includes North Carolina vs. Ohio State and Kentucky vs. St. John's, all broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

Tickets for the Arkansas-Houston game will be available in early October, organized by Intersport as part of the event's planning.

Houston, ranked No. 2 in early preseason polls and coming off a loss in the national title game, will be tested early against Arkansas, with coach Kelvin Sampson emphasizing the importance of the matchup.

Arkansas, under second-year coach John Calipari, is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance and features returning players like DJ Wagner and Trevon Brazile.

Coach Calipari confirmed Arkansas will have multiple televised games this season, including a notable matchup against Duke on Thanksgiving night, with the Houston game serving as a key non-conference test.

Historically, Arkansas leads Houston 22-18 over 40 meetings, with their last game played in December 2017.

This game is expected to be a significant early-season test, with both teams highly ranked and anticipated to be in the top 25.

The game’s location in Newark and its charity aspect highlight its significance beyond just basketball, supporting 9/11-related causes.

All game times for the tripleheader will be announced in the fall, adding to the excitement for fans planning to watch these high-profile matchups.