Trevon Brazile had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, Johnell Davis scored six key points in the final 40 seconds and No. 9 seed Arkansas nearly blew a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina 72-68 to begin the SEC Tournament.

The University of Arkansas men’s basketball team survived and advanced Wednesday at the SEC Tournament. Eleven days after an embarrassing loss at South Carolina, the Razorbacks nearly blew a 20-point lead against the Gamecocks but held on for a 72-68 first-round victory at Bridgestone Arena.

Arkansas forward Karter Knox (center), teammates and coaches board a team bus, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, ahead of the Razorbacks' first-round matchup against South Carolina in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (Hank Layton/NWA Democrat-Gazette)

Ninth-seeded Arkansas held on to beat 16th-seeded South Carolina 72-68 Wednesday in the SEC tournament after nearly losing a 20-point lead.

Arkansas managed to beat South Carolina on Wednesday in the 1st round of the 2025 SEC Tournament in Nashville.

Trevon Brazile scored 16 points Wednesday and Jonas Aidoo added a double-double as No. 9 seed Arkansas built a 20-point lead, then barely held on to eliminate 16th-seeded South Carolina 72-68 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville.

Arkansas plays against South Carolina in the SEC Basketball Tournament today. Fans can watch this game for free.

The Gamecocks mounted a furious rally but couldn’t pull out the win. Barring an unexpected appearance in the NIT, their roller-coaster season is over with a 12-20 record.

It’s the Arkansas basketball vs South Carolina in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Here's our scouting report and prediction for Hogs-Gamecocks.