FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If the SEC needed a reminder that Arkansas planned to be involved in March conversations, Darius Acuff Jr. provided it before anyone had time to settle into their seats.
The freshman guard scored a career-high 29 points and helped the Razorbacks open SEC play with an 86–75 win over No. 19 Tennessee at Bud Walton Arena.
It was the kind of game that politely suggested Arkansas might be ahead of schedule, and that Acuff might not be interested in waiting his turn.
Acuff scored from everywhere Tennessee hoped he wouldn’t. He hit shots from the perimeter, attacked the lane when space opened, and stayed calm when the game tightened.
For a player still new to the SEC, he looked comfortable making decisions that usually belong to veterans.
Arkansas coach John Calipari said Acuff’s approach stood out as much as the scoring.
“He played with confidence,” Calipari said. “He wasn’t trying to do too much. He let the game come to him.”
That might be a little coach-speak, but the result spoke clearly enough. The Hogs had a steady hand when they needed one.
The Razorbacks trailed early, absorbed Tennessee’s physical play, and never panicked. Arkansas stayed within reach through the first half, then leaned on its defense and discipline to flip the game after the break.
Tennessee entered the night ranked, experienced, and expecting to dictate terms. Instead, it ran into a team that seemed content to wait for the right moment.
That moment came midway through the second half.
Arkansas went on a decisive run that turned a tight game into one it controlled. Acuff was at the center of it, scoring and drawing attention while teammates found clean looks.
Tennessee’s offense stalled, and the Razorbacks took advantage without rushing or forcing shots.
Meleek Thomas gave Arkansas a lift off the bench, providing timely scoring that kept Tennessee from loading up entirely on Acuff.
Malique Ewin anchored the interior, scoring inside, rebounding, and blocking shots that discouraged the Volunteers from lingering in the paint.
It was a balanced night for the Razorbacks, which Calipari has emphasized since the season began.
“We need everybody,” Calipari said. “That’s how you win in this league.”
Arkansas also did the quiet things well. The Hogs took care of the ball, made free throws, and didn’t give Tennessee extra chances.
There were no dramatic flourishes, no risky possessions meant for highlight reels. Just steady basketball, which can feel almost rebellious in the SEC.
For Tennessee, the loss ended a winning stretch and offered a reminder that conference games tend to ignore rankings. The Volunteers had scorers, but struggled to regain momentum once Arkansas established control.
The Razorbacks never let the game drift back to uncertainty. When Tennessee made a push, Arkansas answered with defense or a timely basket. It wasn’t flashy. It was effective.
And for a team opening league play, that tends to matter more.
Acuff’s night will draw the headlines, and fairly so. A freshman scoring 29 points against a ranked SEC opponent usually earns that privilege. But the broader takeaway was that Arkansas looked prepared for the long haul.
The Razorbacks did not rely on a single stretch or a single player to survive. They built the win piece by piece, which is often how January games are decided.
Calipari said afterward that conference play reveals who teams really are.
Saturday night suggested the Hogs are comfortable being patient, confident, and quietly competitive.
That may not grab attention everywhere yet.
In the SEC, it usually does.
Key takeaways
- Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a career-high scoring night in his SEC debut.
- Arkansas used balance and defense to take control in the second half.
- The Razorbacks opened conference play with poise rather than flash.
