The Arkansas Razorbacks will be without their floor general for Saturday’s regular season finale against Missouri. According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, star guard Darius Acuff Jr. is listed as doubtful as he continues to deal with an ankle injury.
John Calipari Giving Star Well-Deserved Rest
Arkansas enters the final game of the regular season with a 22–8 record and sits third in the SEC standings, already securing a top-four finish and a double bye into the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament. With postseason play right around the corner, head coach John Calipari appears to be taking the smart, long-term approach with his star guard.
Source: Arkansas' Darius Acuff (undisclosed) is doubtful to play on Saturday against Missouri.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 6, 2026
Averages 22.2 PPG and 6.4 APG.
Razorbacks are 22-8.
Acuff has been battling the ankle issue in recent games but has continued to play through it, showing toughness and leadership for the Razorbacks. Still, with Arkansas’ tournament positioning already locked in, resting their most important player now could pay major dividends in both the SEC Tournament and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. It's worth noting he is available to play, but is sitting out for precautionary reasons.
As competitive as Acuff is, sitting out may ultimately be the best move for the Razorbacks’ postseason outlook. The dynamic guard has been the engine of Arkansas’ offense all season, orchestrating the team’s tempo and creating opportunities for his teammates. When Acuff is clicking, the Razorbacks’ offense typically follows.
Calipari’s decision is less about conceding Saturday’s matchup and more about ensuring his team is at full strength when the stakes rise in March. With the double bye already secured, the outcome of the Missouri game is unlikely to dramatically change Arkansas’ conference tournament positioning.
Saturday’s game could also create opportunities for other Razorbacks to step into larger roles. With Acuff potentially sidelined, additional ball-handling and scoring responsibilities will fall to the rest of the roster. That experience could prove valuable as Arkansas prepares for the intensity of postseason basketball.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their star guard’s availability, the Razorbacks will still be motivated to close the regular season on a high note. A strong performance against Missouri would maintain momentum heading into tournament play while giving several players a chance to showcase their abilities in expanded roles.
For Arkansas, the priority is clear: getting Darius Acuff Jr. as close to 100 percent healthy as possible. If that happens, the Razorbacks will enter March with their most important piece ready to lead what they hope will be a deep postseason run.