ESPN college basketball analyst sends shockwaves over new SEC Player of the Year pick

ESPN college basketball analyst Myron Medcalf has officially updated his SEC Player of the Year prediction, shifting from Kentucky’s Otega Oweh in the preseason to Arkansas’ standout freshman guard, Darius Acuff Jr. The update was first highlighted by Daniel Fair of HawgBeat on X, who covers the Razorbacks for On3.

Medcalf explained the reasoning behind the change: “John Calipari has a strong track record with elite guards. He had some of his best years at Memphis and Kentucky with future NBA standouts like Derrick Rose, John Wall, and De’Aaron Fox running the show. Acuff could join that group if he can steer the Razorbacks toward SEC title contention. He’s built for it.”

Acuff has impressed early, particularly in games against top-tier opponents such as Michigan State, Louisville, Houston, Texas Tech, and Duke, finishing those contests with a combined 36 assists to just 12 turnovers. His performance highlights not only his scoring ability but also his emerging playmaking skills, now ranking him among the nation’s top 25 in assists per game at 6.2, second-most in the SEC. Seeing him do this against one of the hardest non-conference slates in the country only validates how legit his start to the season is and not being a flash in the pan jump start against inferior opponents.

While Medcalf noted Acuff’s top competition comes from Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., who is averaging 21.9 points and 5.6 assists per game with a 42.2% 3-point mark, the buzz around Acuff continues to grow. The freshman, a former five-star recruit, has rapidly evolved from a scoring-first guard in high school into one of the SEC’s most dynamic facilitators.

From Freshman to Star: Darius Acuff’s SEC Breakout

Originally projected as an SEC All-Freshman First Team hopeful, Acuff’s dominance has elevated him into genuine SEC Player of the Year consideration. He is not only a key driver of Arkansas’ hopes for SEC conference success but also the centerpiece of a team capable of making noise in March Madness. While the Razorbacks boast plenty of talent, Acuff’s knack for creating opportunities for others while maintaining his own production may be the key to taking this team over the top.

The rapid development under Calipari’s system is hard to ignore. Historically, Calipari has transformed young guards into NBA-ready stars, and Acuff’s growth after just 13 games of his freshman season suggests he is well on his way to following that path. For Razorback fans, coaches, and NBA scouts alike, the trajectory is thrilling, imagine where Acuff could be by season’s end.

With his combination of scoring, vision, and leadership, Darius Acuff Jr. is quickly becoming the player everyone is watching in the SEC. And if he continues on this path, Medcalf’s bold prediction may not look bold for long.