After holding onto the No. 25 ranking last week, the Arkansas Razorbacks have made one of the largest climbs in the newest AP Top 25 poll, jumping eight spots to No. 17. The leap comes after a dominant and confidence-building 2–0 week, headlined by an 89–80 win over No. 6 Louisville and an 82–58 blowout of Fresno State.
The Razorbacks, who previously dipped in the rankings following losses to Duke and Michigan State, are now firmly back inside the top 20 as momentum begins to build. Their 2–0 stretch showcased not only their emerging identity but also the growing impact of the program’s young stars.
A Brutal Non-Conference Gauntlet That’s Paying Off
Arkansas has faced arguably the toughest non-conference schedule in the country, and they aren’t done yet. The Razorbacks have two more marquee neutral-site tests on the horizon, beginning this Saturday against No. 16 Texas Tech, which will mark Arkansas’ fourth ranked matchup of the season.
Head coach John Calipari has repeatedly embraces the challenge of a front-loaded schedule:
"“We've got tough games coming up. You know what we've got,” Calipari said. “But I said, ‘The best thing that's happened to us is to play this kind of schedule.’ If your team is good, throw the gauntlet, learn. You're playing for the end of the year anyway. My teams play for March. That's the whole thing. That’s what we play for.”"Coach Calipari
Calipari’s philosophy is clear: face adversity now so you’re ready when it matters. Rather than padding the record with weak opponents, Arkansas is using the early season to expose weaknesses, test rotations, and grow through pressure. This approach ensures the Razorbacks won’t face their first dose of adversity in March, they’ll be seasoned long before then.
Even after their surge up the rankings, Arkansas remains the third-highest SEC team in this week’s AP Poll, slotting just behind No. 12 Alabama and No. 15 Vanderbilt. Still, the Razorbacks are trending upward and look poised to challenge for conference supremacy as their roster continues to jell.
Freshmen Acuff Jr. and Thomas Shine in Breakout Week
Arkansas’ rise can be credited in large part to its young backcourt duo.
Darius Acuff Jr.-SEC Freshman of the Week
The star freshman guard delivered a monster week, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Acuff averaged 17.5 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds across the two wins, including his first career double-double with 17 points and 10 assists against Louisville.
His poise, control, and playmaking elevated the Razorbacks in two extremely different game environments, a tight contest against a top-10 team and a smoother blowout win days later.
Meleek Thomas- A Perfect Complement
Fellow freshman Meleek Thomas also impressed, scoring 12 points against Fresno State and 17 against Louisville. The Acuff–Thomas backcourt has already shown flashes of being one of the most dynamic young duos in the country, and their chemistry grows by the game. Let's not get it twisted, Thomas is not the Robin to Batman here, if anything he's the 1B who's growth is on the rise just like Acuff.
Razorbacks Rising at the Right Time
Arkansas’ identity is beginning to solidify. The defense is tightening. The freshmen are maturing fast. The offense is finding rhythm. And with a top-20 ranking now restored, the Razorbacks are trending in the direction Calipari envisioned for his 2025-2026 team outlook.
Another major test awaits this Saturday against No. 16 Texas Tech, but after a statement week, Arkansas enters the matchup with confidence, and momentum, squarely on its side.