John Calipari guides Arkansas to SEC Championship in just his second season

It took grit, composure, and contributions from nearly every corner of the roster, but Arkansas is headed to the SEC Championship after outlasting Ole Miss in a 93–90 overtime thriller that had fans holding their breath until the final horn.

Arkansas Edges Ole Miss in Dramatic Overtime Battle

The Razorbacks battled a red-hot Rebels squad that refused to go away all night. After trading blows down the stretch in regulation, Ole Miss forced overtime with a last-second layup that sent the arena into a frenzy and set the stage for a tense extra period.

Overtime proved just as dramatic.

Arkansas managed to create just enough separation late, but the Rebels still had one final chance. As the clock wound down, Ole Miss launched a desperate heave in hopes of forcing another overtime. The shot fell short, and when the buzzer sounded, the Razorbacks exhaled in relief. Final score: 93–90. Arkansas now moves on to face Vanderbilt for the SEC title.

The performance came despite an uncharacteristically difficult night for star guard Darius Acuff. Known for his efficiency, Acuff struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 7-for-21 from the field and committing five turnovers, numbers that are unusually high for his style of play. Still, the talented guard found ways to impact the game, finishing with 24 points and helping steady Arkansas when it mattered most.

Unlike the quarterfinal round, where Acuff carried much of the offensive burden, the semifinal victory was truly a team effort.

Trevon Brazile delivered a strong presence inside, recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Off the bench, Malique Ewin provided a major spark of his own, also posting a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds while battling on the glass throughout the game.

But the offensive star of the night was Meleek Thomas.

Thomas was nearly unstoppable, lighting up the scoreboard with 29 points. He shot an efficient 9-for-15 from the field and knocked down four of his seven attempts from three-point range, seemingly unable to miss when Arkansas needed a bucket.

Free throws also played a major role in the outcome. Ole Miss more than doubled Arkansas in fouls, sending the Razorbacks to the line 31 times compared to just 14 attempts for the Rebels. Arkansas converted 74 percent of those chances, while Ole Miss shot 79 percent from the stripe.

Those missed opportunities nearly came back to haunt the Razorbacks. Arkansas left several crucial free throws on the table late in the game, allowing Ole Miss to stay within striking distance deep into overtime. But when the final seconds ticked away, the Razorbacks had done just enough.

Head coach John Calipari has his squad prepared to win in any style necessary. Whether it’s a star taking over, a balanced scoring attack, or grinding out possessions in a physical game, the Razorbacks have shown they’re willing to exhaust every avenue to secure a victory.

This team plays with poise, confidence, and a calm demeanor even in the most chaotic moments. Now, with a spot in the SEC Championship secured, Arkansas has a chance to cap its conference tournament run with a title.

They’re sending a message.

The SEC, and the rest of the nation, is officially on notice.