PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — A high-octane Arkansas offense meets a resilient Hawaii squad when the eighth-seeded Razorbacks and ninth-seeded Warriors clash in an NCAA Tournament first-round game Thursday at Moda Center.

Arkansas (26-8), the pregame favorite by 15 points, enters March Madness powered by one of the nation’s most dynamic guards in Darius Acuff Jr. The sophomore is averaging 30.3 points and 8.0 assists over his last three games, including a 30-point, 11-assist performance in an 86-75 win over Vanderbilt on March 15. The Razorbacks average 92.1 points per game but have shown defensive vulnerability, allowing 111 points in a late-February loss at Florida.

Hawaii (24-8) counters with efficient scoring and rim protection, led by forward Isaac Johnson. The Warriors’ key player is averaging 18.1 points over his last seven contests, including 22 points and three blocks in a 71-64 road win at UC Irvine on March 14. Hawaii has won six of its last eight, with its losses in that stretch by a combined 19 points.

The matchup pits Arkansas’s potent, fast-paced attack against a Hawaii team comfortable in tight games, having played in four contests decided by three points or fewer since Feb. 21. The Razorbacks have also been tested in close games, with three overtime wins in their last seven outings.

The game’s tempo will be critical, with the over/under set at 160. Arkansas will look to push the pace, while Hawaii aims to control the clock and leverage Johnson’s interior presence to mitigate Acuff’s playmaking.

The winner will advance to face the winner of Thursday’s game between top-seeded North Carolina and 16th-seeded Norfolk State in the second round on Saturday.