Billy Richmond ejection, explained: Why Arkansas forward was thrown out of Sweet 16 game vs. Arizona

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Billy Richmond ejection, explained: Why Arkansas forward was thrown out of Sweet 16 game vs. Arizona originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The Arkansas Razorbacks took on the Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. 

The Razorbacks entered the game as a No. 4 seed, but you wouldn't have guessed it by what happened in the game. The Razorbacks were outplayed in nearly every facet of the game, and the result was one of the worst losses for head coach John Calipari in his NCAA Tournament history.

As it was becoming more and more clear that a blowout loss was in the works, tension in the game rose. Players for both teams ended up getting chippy. At one point in the second half, Arkansas guard Billy Richmond III was whistled for a foul that was upgraded to a flagrant foul, resulting in his ejection. The call appeared to have been made from the referees wanting to calm the game down, but it had many wondering if Richmond really deserved to be ejected. 

Here is more on why Richmond was ejected from Arkansas' Sweet 16 game against Arizona. 

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Why was Billy Richmond ejected from game vs. Arizona?

Richmond’s foul was reckless and clearly a result of mounting frustration. Arkansas was on defense, and an Arizona player was coming across the key, moving to his spot for the play. As he crossed, Richmond lowered his shoulder and shoved the Arizona player, sending him flying. The contact may have been embellished, but the whistle came immediately, and the play was reviewed.

Not only was it upgraded to a flagrant foul, but it was elevated to a Flagrant 2, resulting in Richmond’s immediate ejection

The CBS broadcast and rules analyst Gene Steratore both thought the upgrade was excessive, suggesting the referees were trying to send a message for players to settle down as the game had become increasingly chippy.

What is a Flagrant 2?

There are three levels of foul in college basketball. A regular common foul results in either an inbound pass from a dead ball or in free throws if it occurred during a shot. That foul can then be upgraded to either a Flagrant 1 or a Flagrant 2. 

A Flagrant 1 is defined by the NCAA as a foul that is " excessive in nature or unnecessary or avoidable, uncalled for or not required by the circumstances of the play." It results in the other team getting two free throws and retaining possession of the ball. 

A Flagrant 2 is the highest level of foul in college basketball. It is similar to a Flagrant 1 in that there needs to be unnecessary force or an excessive component, but it is upgraded because the play is "brutal, harsh or cruel or dangerous or punishing." 

In this specific case, the referee crew did not provide a reason when announcing the foul, just that it had been upgraded. The assumption would be that they felt the act by Richmond was dangerous, maybe even punishing, stemming from rising tempers. 

MORE: Full box score stats from Arizona-Arkansas Sweet 16 game

Billy Richmond stats vs. Arizona

Here are Richmond's stats prior to his ejection against Arizona.

  • 29 minutes
  • 13 points
  • 5 rebounds
  • 3 assists
  • 1 steal
  • 3 turnovers
  • 6-10 FG
  • 1-2 3FG
  • 0-0 FT
  • 4 fouls

Billy Richmond season stats

Here is a look at Richmond's per-game season stats.

SeasonGamesMinutesPointsReboundsAssistsFG%3FG%FT%2024-253617.55.73.01.452.3%12.5%73.2%2025-263627.511.14.32.056.2%25.0%78.4%Total7222.58.43.61.754.8%22.2%76.2%

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