Fort Smith basketball supporters have a chance to watch the Arkansas Razorbacks, known locally as the Hardwood Hogs, compete on a national stage this weekend. According to 4029tv.com, the team will face the Virginia Cavaliers in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8 as part of the Capital Showcase, a game that highlights the program’s early‑season momentum.

The matchup is scheduled for a 12 p.m. Central Time tip‑off at Capital One Arena and will be televised nationally on ESPN, giving fans in Fort Smith and across the state easy access to the live broadcast. The Razorbacks enter the contest with a 1‑0 record overall and 0‑0 in SEC play, while Virginia arrives 2‑0 overall and also 0‑0 in ACC competition, according to the same source.

Local interest is heightened by the personal ties of two Arkansas players to the region. 4029tv.com notes that junior guard Jordan Smith Jr. was born and raised in Washington, D.C., while forward Cooper Bowser hails from Bridgewater, Virginia, roughly 35 miles south of the capital. Their hometown connections add a narrative thread for area viewers who may recognize the players’ roots.

Historically, Arkansas holds a 3‑4 all‑time record against Virginia, a statistic also reported by 4029tv.com. The last time the Razorbacks played near the nation’s capital was on Feb. 3, 1985, when they faced #2 Georgetown in Landover, Maryland, about 15 miles from downtown D.C. That historical footnote underscores the rarity of the current D.C. appearance.

After the Capital Showcase, the Razorbacks return to Fayetteville for two home games at Bud Walton Arena. 4029tv.com states Arkansas will host Robert Morris on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Central Arkansas on Friday, Nov. 13, with both contests beginning at 7 p.m. and broadcast on SEC Network+. Those upcoming dates give Fort Smith fans the opportunity to see the team in action locally following the high‑profile Washington, D.C., showdown.

Sources: 4029tv.com