Arkansas held firm at No. 21 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, maintaining its position after a one-game week that featured a dominant win but limited opportunity to climb. The Razorbacks, now 17–6 overall and 7–3 in SEC play, continue to hover on the edge of a rankings jump as conference play grinds on.
Razorbacks Prove Their Resilience Once Again
John Calipari’s squad bounced back in a big way following a tough loss to Kentucky, rolling past Mississippi State by more than 20 points in a game that showcased Arkansas’ depth and resilience. The Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead, never looked back, and did so while continuing to manage injuries to key contributors, a testament to the team’s adaptability and poise.
Still, the emphatic victory didn’t move the needle much with voters. That hesitation is understandable given the context. Mississippi State is enduring a down year, and Arkansas played just one game last week instead of the usual two, limiting opportunities to impress compared to teams with fuller resumes during the last week. Even so, the Razorbacks did exactly what they needed to do, respond convincingly after adversity.
The standout performance of the night came from the team’s star freshman guard Darius Acuff, who put together a complete stat line with 24 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways continues to elevate Arkansas’ ceiling, especially as the season progresses toward its most important stretch. His leadership in the aftermath of the Kentucky loss was particularly encouraging, setting the tone early and keeping the Razorbacks focused on execution rather than frustration.
Arkansas remains one of three ranked SEC teams this week, joining No. 14 Florida and No. 20 Vanderbilt. The Razorbacks already own an important home win over the Commodores and will get a shot at the Gators later this month in what will be must see TV.
The Razorbacks’ résumé is stronger than their ranking may suggest. Three of their six losses have come against current top-10 teams, highlighting both the difficulty of their schedule and the challenges that still lie ahead. That level of competition has tested Arkansas early and often, and will continue to do so as league play intensifies.
Consistency will be the key if Arkansas wants to climb back up the rankings and position itself for bigger goals down the road. Calipari has emphasized a game-by-game approach, and that mindset will be especially important in the coming week.
The Razorbacks face a demanding two-game slate, starting with LSU, a team they recently defeated by just four points in a tightly contested matchup. That game will be followed by a showdown with Auburn, which handed Arkansas a 22-point loss on the road earlier this season. The rematch, however, comes at Bud Walton Arena; a significant advantage for a Razorbacks team that has lost just once at home all year.
If Arkansas can defend its home court and continue to show growth, the No. 21 ranking may not last long. The opportunity to rise is there, now it’s about capitalizing on it.