FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks will renew their basketball rivalry with the Texas Longhorns when the teams play on Nov. 9 in the seventh Armed Forces Classic at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
According to a release, the game will serve as Arkansas' season opener, although a recent NCAA rule change would allow the Razorbacks to play as early as Nov. 6 next season.
The game will be televised on ESPN as part of the network’s initiative honoring the men and women who are serving and have served in the United States military. It will be the first appearance in the event for both the Razorbacks and Longhorns.
“We are honored to participate in the Armed Forces Classic next year,” Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said in a news release. “Any chance we get to honor our service men and women by playing at a military base is a great opportunity to give back to people that sacrifice so much for our freedom.”
El Paso is the home of Nolan Richardson, who as the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville coach led the Razorbacks to the 1994 national championship and is the all-time leader in wins for the program.
Arkansas and Texas — former Southwest Conference rivals — will meet for the 155th time.
Arkansas leads the series 87-67, including a 77-74 victory in Houston last season in the teams' most recent game.
"Our guys will get a phenomenal experience being around our troops and people who protect our country," Texas Coach Shaka Smart said in a news release. "It will be a very humbling and educational experience for our program.
"We have the opportunity to play a high-level opponent in Arkansas, and Mike Anderson is one of the best coaches around."
Arkansas and Texas will play the first Classic game in the continental United States.
Previous Classic matchups been have played in Germany, Hawaii, Japan, Puerto Rico and Korea.
The Texas game is the second known nonconference matchup for Arkansas next season. The Razorbacks are under contract to play at Colorado State on a date to be determined in December.