Arkansas basketball is officially on the rise.
After an impressive 2–0 week in conference play, the Razorbacks made a significant jump in the latest AP Poll, climbing five spots from No. 20 to No. 15. The surge comes on the heels of back-to-back SEC wins, highlighted by a dominant performance against a ranked Vanderbilt squad and a hard-fought victory over LSU in a Saturday night thriller.
John Calipari Has Arkansas Basketball Rolling
The statement moment of the week came Tuesday night inside a packed Bud Walton Arena, where Arkansas rolled past then-No. 15 Vanderbilt, 93–68. The Razorbacks were in control from start to finish, showcasing a balanced offensive attack that overwhelmed the Commodores. Six Arkansas players reached double figures in scoring, a testament to the team’s depth and unselfish play as the Hogs cruised to one of their most complete wins of the season.
Saturday night brought a very different challenge.
With much of the state dealing with a winter storm, Fayetteville still turned out a solid crowd to watch Arkansas host an LSU team searching for traction. The Tigers proved scrappy throughout, but the Razorbacks delivered late when it mattered most, pulling away for an 85–81 victory in a nail-biting finish. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. stole the spotlight, pouring in a career-high 31 points to lift Arkansas past LSU and cap off the perfect conference week.
The jump to No. 15 makes Arkansas the highest-ranked SEC team in the Top 25, with Florida, Vanderbilt, and Alabama trailing behind in the back half of the poll. In a conference that has been anything but predictable this season, the Razorbacks appear to be finding their stride at the right time.
Unlike a year ago, when the SEC looked top-heavy, this season’s league has been defined by depth and parity. Night-to-night results have been a roller coaster, creating an opportunity for a team capable of building momentum to separate from the pack. Arkansas may be positioning itself to do just that.
With talented freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas leading the way, the Razorbacks have the pieces to make a serious push toward the top of the SEC standings. If they continue to develop chemistry and consistency, Arkansas could find itself not only atop the conference by season’s end, but also riding high with confidence and momentum heading into March.
For now, the climb continues, and the Razorbacks are making it clear they’re ready to pounce.