Adou Thiero injury update: John Calipari reveals Arkansas forward's status vs. Texas Tech in Sweet 16

Arkansas hasn’t had a fully healthy roster for a lot of this season. However, they’ll finally have one that’ll be as full as it has been arguably all year ahead of their biggest game so far in the NCAA Tournament.

On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Tuesday, John Calipari shared that Adou Thiero will be available for the Razorbacks against No. 3 Texas Tech in the Sweet 16. Because of the way he plays, though, he’s expected to be on a minutes restriction at twelve to fifteen total versus the Red Raiders.

I'll break this news with you..

Adou Thiero is available against Texas Tech"@CoachCalArk #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/NwyvW1YCmi

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 25, 2025

“I’m kind of – am I breaking this with you, Pat?” Calipari asked. “Adou Thiero is available. He is available.”

“Adou? It’s a different deal because we need his toughness and his athleticism. The most he’ll play? 12, 12 minutes, maybe 15 – maybe, I doubt,” said Calipari. “But you’ve got to prepare now because we’re a different team. Finally, we’ve got a full roster.”

This will be a similar move as the one the ‘Hogs made last week with the return of Boogie Fland from what was thought to be a season-ending hand injury. He had to readjust himself in how he played in a lineup for a team that’s performing much better than when he left the lineup and, now, so will Thiero.

“Now, I played Boogie, who was available, fifteen-eighteen minutes – but he helped us win the game! He made the steal, he made the plays, he made the assists,” said Calipari.

“Everybody wondered, well, how will he affect the team, Boogie? And I said Boogie came in, to me – and I told you last time when we were on – and came in and said I don’t want to hurt this team, you just tell me how you want me to play because we’re playing good. And I said, listen, you’re going to play off the ball instead of on the ball, make plays, and I need you to defend and come up with steals – I don’t know how much you’ll play but be ready. I’ll have the same talk with Adou.”

Thiero has missed the last eight games over the past month with a hyperextension of his left knee. That had him unavailable for their final four in the regular season, two in the SEC Tournament, and two through the opening weekend of March Madness. However, the ‘Hogs have been playing better the past two months, even during the stretch without him with six wins including three in the postseason with two over No. 7 Kansas and No. 2 St. John’s to get them to this regional semifinal in San Francisco.

Still, before that, Thiero had been the best player this season for the Razorbacks. He has had a career-best season in averaging 15.6 points (54.8% FG), 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 steals as Arkansas’ leader in scoring, rebounding, and steals.

Thiero wanted to be back in time to play during this tournament run for Arkansas. Now, after missing their first four in the postseason, he will be in trying to help them advance on into the Elite Eight.

“Adou wanted to play!” Calipari said. “The only reason he’s playing is he said I’m playing. I want to help this team.”