The case is no longer building, it’s booming.
With each passing game, Darius Acuff Jr. is turning the SEC Player of the Year conversation from a debate into a declaration.
Darius Acuff Jr. Continues Solidifying His Case for SEC Player of the Year
On the heels of an 88–75 statement win over the Auburn Tigers, Acuff delivered yet another masterpiece, pouring in what looked like an effortless 31 points on a blistering 7-of-10 shooting from three. Arkansas improved to 19–6 overall and 9–3 in conference play, and once again, the engine driving the surge was its 19-year-old freshman phenom.
At this point, record nights feel routine.
This was Acuff’s sixth straight 20+ point performance in SEC play, a feat that’s difficult for seasoned juniors and seniors, let alone a freshman navigating the grind of the nation’s toughest basketball conference. But Acuff isn’t just surviving in the Southeastern Conference, he’s dominating it.
And he’s doing it his way.
"“That was one of my goals coming in tonight, to make some more threes,” Acuff said following the game. “But the most I had so far is just four. I just wanted to shoot a little more.”"Darius Acuff Jr
It’s a telling quote. Not flashy. Not boastful. Just matter-of-fact improvement. Quiet confidence.
That’s what separates him.
The scary part? The efficiency. Acuff finished 10-of-15 from the field overall and committed just one turnover while adding seven assists. Thirty-one points. Seven dimes. One turnover. That’s not just scoring, that’s command. That’s control.
Every time he steps on the floor, there’s a calm that settles over the Razorbacks. Teammates look to him instinctively. The tempo bends to his will. The flow of the game runs through him. He’s the leader, not just in production, but in presence.
And yet, even as the offense clearly funnels through him, he never hijacks it. The seven assists against Auburn are just as telling as the 31 points. He understands when to attack, when to spray it out, when to shift gears. For a freshman, that level of feel is rare. For any player, it’s elite.
Darius Acuff Jr. vs Auburn
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) February 15, 2026
31 PTS (10/15 FG, 7/10 3PT, 4/5 FT)
2 REB
7 AST
Rolled his ankle first 5 minutes of game. Still snapped…PG1 and First team All American
Why do y’all keep fighting it bringing up these other guards?? What more do y’all need to see?? pic.twitter.com/2U9WHEytCT
The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball are rolling, firing on all cylinders at the most important stretch of the season. At 19–6 and climbing the SEC standings, their surge directly mirrors Acuff’s rise. The numbers are stacking. The wins are stacking. And the moments are getting bigger.
The argument is starting to make itself.
SEC Player of the Year? He’s squarely at the front of that race.
Best player in the conference? The tape says yes.
Best player in the country? The conversation isn’t crazy anymore.
Anyone looking to argue otherwise will be hard-pressed to find a consistent case against him. Night after night, Acuff answers every question before it’s even asked.
The Razorbacks roll as Acuff dazzles. And if this trajectory continues, the hardware won’t just be a possibility, it’ll feel inevitable.