Arkansas basketball continued its strong start to SEC play with another solid conference win, taking down Ole Miss 94–87 in a game that was competitive late but controlled by the Razorbacks when it mattered most. With the victory, Arkansas improved to 12–3 overall and 2–0 in SEC play, while Ole Miss fell to 8–7 and 0–2 in conference action.
Darius Acuff Leads The Way Again
The Razorbacks once again leaned on their star freshman point guard, Acuff, who continued to stack impressive performances despite not having his most efficient shooting night. Acuff showed maturity beyond his years, impacting the game in every way possible. While he struggled from the field, shooting 7-of-18 overall and 1-of-4 from three, he recognized early that his jumper wasn’t falling and adjusted accordingly.
Instead of forcing shots, Acuff attacked the rim aggressively, putting constant pressure on Ole Miss’ defense. His ability to draw contact proved pivotal, as he lived at the free-throw line and capitalized nearly every time. He went an outstanding 11-of-12 from the stripe, using those “easy points” to help ice the game for Arkansas down the stretch. In addition to his scoring, Acuff was excellent as a facilitator, dishing out nine assists while committing just three turnovers, finishing with an impressive 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. When the Rebels made a late push, the Razorbacks put the ball in his hands, and he delivered.
The Rest of The Razorbacks Did Their Thing
Meleek Thomas continued his recent momentum with another productive outing. Although his shooting efficiency wasn’t perfect, going 2-of-6 from three, Thomas stayed aggressive and made his presence felt in other areas. His defensive energy stood out, as he added two steals and helped disrupt Ole Miss’ rhythm on the perimeter.
Trevon Brazile was arguably at his best in this one, providing a major scoring punch for Arkansas. Brazile poured in 18 points while nearly shooting a perfect game from the field, finishing 5-of-6 overall and an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. While he struggled a bit at the free-throw line, going 4-of-7, his shooting efficiency and spacing were crucial. Though he didn’t dominate the glass, rebounding wasn’t a major necessity in this matchup, and Brazile’s offensive production more than made up for it.
One of the biggest takeaways from the win was Arkansas’ depth. The Razorbacks had five players score in double figures, showcasing a roster that is comfortable letting multiple players play to their strengths while still producing at a high level as a collective unit. That balance has allowed players to play confidently and freely within the system.
Key Numbers That Powered Arkansas to Victory
Arkansas also won the battle in several key statistical areas. The Razorbacks shot above 40 percent from three-point range while holding Ole Miss under 40 percent from the field. They outrebounded the Rebels by 10 and outscored them in the paint, setting the tone physically. While many of the other statistics were fairly even, Arkansas proved to be more opportunistic in key moments.
That ability to execute late and do the little things is something teams coached by John Calipari have long been known for. When the game tightened in the final stretch, Arkansas leaned on Acuff’s poise and playmaking, and he responded exactly how a leader should.
Another SEC test, another composed performance, and another win for the Razorbacks as they continue to build momentum early in conference play.