Arkansas narrowly escaped with a narrow win over Samford, a game that revealed both encouraging growth and lingering issues. From Billy Richmond III’s energizing spark to the steady play of the freshmen and the continued struggles in the frontcourt, the Razorbacks showed exactly where they stand as they go through the early season ups and downs.
Billy Richmond III Provides the Spark Arkansas Needed
Arkansas basketball held off a determined Samford team 79–75 on Friday night, and the narrow victory offered a clearer picture of where this Razorbacks team currently stands. The biggest spark came from Billy Richmond III, who once again proved why his energy and versatility are so valuable to this team. Richmond played with an edge on both ends, hounding Samford defensively and crashing the offensive glass at critical moments.
John Calipari praised him heavily after the win, saying, “If you watch the game, who was the player, the reason we won the game? One player. Yeah, it was Billy Richmond.” Richmond finished with 10 points, five rebounds, a block and a steal, while also hitting his third three-pointer of the season, already surpassing last year’s total. It was a classic Richmond performance: not flashy, but filled with winning plays. He may not have a signature offensive skill yet, but he impacts the game everywhere and serves as a reliable glue guy in a lineup full of talent.
Freshmen Continue to Shine and Show Maturity
The freshmen duo once again delivered steady production and showed why expectations for this group continue to rise. Meleek Thomas didn’t settle for long jumpers and instead worked within the flow of the game, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Darius Acuff Jr. turned in another strong scoring night with 20 points on efficient shooting, adding five assists while supplying several clutch baskets in the closing minutes, including five of Arkansas’ final 10 points.
Together, the young trio has developed impressive chemistry, playing unselfishly and showing maturity beyond their age. Their ability to score, play-make, and trust each other has become a stabilizing force for this developing roster.
Frontcourt Concerns Still Loom Large
The win also highlighted a lingering problem: the lack of production from the frontcourt. Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin struggled again, combining for only two points and one rebound. Their minimal impact led Calipari to play them just 11 total minutes after halftime.
"“We got to get our fives, the big guys, they got to get more balls. You got to be tougher. You got to play through some bumps. You got to play ahead defensively, but we’ll get there.” "Coach Cal
Coach Calipari emphasized that the bigs need to be tougher and more active. Arkansas doesn’t need huge scoring from its centers, but it does need physicality, rebounding, and consistency. Dominating the glass and producing more second-chance opportunities will be key to elevating this team into true SEC contention.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Arkansas survived the challenge thanks to timely scoring, toughness in the backcourt, and Richmond’s game-changing energy. The win showed both the promise and lingering weaknesses of this roster. If the frontcourt can progress and the freshmen continue their impressive trajectory, the Razorbacks have the potential to grow into a contender as the season unfolds.