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Acuff Jr. heats up snowy Fayetteville in big Arkansas win at home
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was one of those Arkansas winter days where the snow doesn’t ask permission and the cold settles in early.
Temperatures stayed below freezing all day. Snow fell from morning through night. Fayetteville looked more like a snow globe than a basketball town.
Inside Bud Walton Arena, though, Darius Acuff Jr. decided it was shorts weather.
The freshman guard poured in 31 points, including 24 in the second half, as Arkansas basketball beat LSU 85-81 on a frozen Saturday that needed something warm to believe in. Acuff provided it. Over and over again.
This wasn’t a smooth win. It wasn’t a pretty win. But it was a win that felt bigger than four points, especially given the weather, the slow start, and the pressure late.
Outside, snow piled up. Inside, Acuff caught fire.
LSU came in ready to grind. The Tigers controlled the paint early, grabbed second-chance points, and made Arkansas work for every look. The Razorbacks looked tight in the first half, missing shots and struggling to string together stops.
At halftime, LSU led 37-33, and it felt colder than the temperature reading.
Arkansas needed heat. It got it from the freshman.
Cold start, then a spark
Acuff didn’t dominate early. No one did.
The first half felt like a snow-day pickup game where everyone needed a few minutes to loosen up. Shots were rushed. Possessions felt heavy.
LSU used that to its advantage. The Tigers attacked the rim and worked the glass. Arkansas stayed close but couldn’t flip momentum before the break.
Then the second half started, and Acuff looked like he’d found a heater somewhere under the bench.
He scored from everywhere. Pull-up jumpers. Threes in rhythm. Tough shots late in the clock. At one point, it felt like every Arkansas possession ended the same way — Acuff rising, releasing, and jogging back on defense.
The Razorbacks went on a run midway through the half, making nine straight field goals. Acuff either scored or assisted on every one of them. That stretch turned a tight game into Arkansas’ game to lose.
It was the kind of run that makes an arena forget about snow, roads, and frozen windshields.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Acuff had 31 points, the best scoring night of his young career. He shot 10-of-11 in the second half, including three made threes, and played with the calm of someone who didn’t care how cold it was outside.
He wasn’t forcing shots. He wasn’t rushing. He just kept taking what LSU gave him and turning it into points.
Acuff takes over the night
Freshman Meleek Thomas added 13 points, and Billy Richmond III chipped in 11, but this night belonged to Acuff. When Arkansas needed a bucket, he delivered. When LSU cut the lead, he answered.
It didn’t matter that the Razorbacks struggled at the free-throw line. They made just 7 of 18, which normally spells trouble in a close SEC game. But Acuff’s shooting from the field covered for it.
Sometimes, one hot hand can cancel out a lot of mistakes.
LSU didn’t play poorly. That’s what will makes this loss sting for awhile. Getting close to a road win in the SEC tends to linger
The Tigers outscored Arkansas in the paint and finished with 19 second-chance points. All five starters scored in double figures. Dedan Thomas Jr. led the way with 18 points, while Pablo Tamba added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
LSU did almost everything right except finish.
Late in the game, with Arkansas clinging to a three-point lead, Acuff missed two free throws. LSU had a chance. One good shot could’ve changed the night.
It didn’t fall. That miss will hang around for the Tigers. Long after the snow melts.
What cold night meant for Arkansas
For Arkansas, this win meant more than just another SEC notch.
It showed the Razorbacks could survive an ugly start, handle pressure, and close a game when things weren’t perfect. That matters in February. It matters in March.
The Hogs improved to 15-5 overall and 5-2 in SEC play, staying near the top of the conference. More importantly, they showed they have a freshman who isn’t afraid of the moment.
On a day when Fayetteville never got above freezing, Acuff stayed hot for 20 straight minutes. That’s not something you teach.
Fans left walking into the snow with something to talk about. Roads were slick. Windshields were iced over. But Arkansas fans left warmed by what they’d just seen.
A freshman guard carrying the load. A team finding its edge. A winter night that turned into something memorable.
Cold outside. Fire inside.
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Arkansas Weighs Jersey Patches as NCAA Eyes Rule Change
If you ever wondered how long college sports could hold the line on jersey advertising, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek made it clear the line has already moved.
Jersey patches, once treated like forbidden territory, are now a real thing after the NCAA approved up to two logos on uniforms and a third in conference championship events. They can be up to four square inches in size.
“We’re all sharing revenue now with our football, men’s basketball players,” Yurachek told Sports Business Journal, “so we’re being a little hypocritical if we’re going to say we’re not going to put a commercial patch on their uniform because they’re still collegiate athletes.”
Yurachek’s point is simple: if schools are sharing revenue with players, resisting jersey patches doesn’t quite add up. Not that he wants uniforms plastered with ads — far from it.
Current NCAA discussions point toward size limits and placement rules that keep patches controlled and tasteful.
In a business landscape where athletic departments are pressed for new revenue, that’s saying something.
Why Arkansas Sits in a Unique Spot
The Razorbacks don’t just compete on the field. They operate in a business ecosystem anchored by major Northwest Arkansas companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt.
Those aren’t names from an economics textbook. They’re neighbors, sponsors, and natural partners in any future jersey patch program.
Those local ties matter because they shape how a program sells itself. A corporate patch isn’t just a logo. It’s a relationship.
For Yurachek and the Hogs’ leadership, potential patch partners aren’t faceless advertisers buying their way onto jerseys.
They are well-known established supporters whose involvement feels familiar — brand extensions of a community already deeply tied to Arkansas athletics.
That makes the idea less jarring than selling space to some unrelated out-of-state corporation.
Instead, it’s aligning with the market realities in Fayetteville and beyond.
The Financial Pressures Driving the Shift
The Razorbacks aren’t alone in this. Schools nationwide are searching for ways to cover rising costs — including those associated with NIL revenue sharing, expanded travel, coaching pay, and facility upgrades.
Under current NCAA settlement rules, schools are sharing more with athletes than ever before, while traditional revenue streams have stagnated.
That puts pressure on programs to monetize assets that used to be off-limits.
Industry research suggests jersey patches could be worth $500,000 to $12 million annually for top football and men’s basketball programs, depending on brand strength and market size.
Those aren’t trivial numbers. That’s competitive-budget territory.
Admitting that to a regional newspaper columnist won’t earn you a Pulitzer, but it does help explain why athletic directors are leaning into the concept.
Tradition Versus Reality
Some fans bristle at the idea of patch sponsorships on college uniforms — especially purists who grew up with plain jerseys and big numbers.
But consider this: bowl game patches, field logos, and television sponsorships are all part of the modern college sports experience.
Jersey patches might just be the next step in a progression that’s been happening for decades.
Yurachek summed up the tension between tradition and necessity when he said the value of exposure “with SEC football on Saturdays, and when we get into February and March and March Madness for men’s basketball, there is a significant, seven-plus-figure value for having logos on jerseys.”
That’s not a sales pitch. It’s reality.
How This Could Unfold
Don’t expect Arkansas to slap every available patch on its uniforms. Yurachek’s emphasis has been on balance — finding strategic partners, preserving brand identity, and making sure placements feel like additions, not distractions.
Football and men’s basketball jerseys are the obvious starting points. Other sports could follow once guidelines are clear and partners are locked in.
In nearby Baton Rouge, LSU has already created sample jerseys and even finalized a multimillion-dollar patch deal with Woodside Energy — all in anticipation of NCAA approval.
That kind of proactive thinking sets the tone. Arkansas isn’t scrambling. It’s listening, learning, and preparing.
The Bigger Picture for College Sports
Once one major program normalizes jersey patches, others will follow. It’s how change happens in college athletics — methodically, then suddenly everywhere.
For Arkansas, patches represent more than revenue. They reflect a larger shift in how programs balance tradition with financial reality.
Keeping uniforms tasteful, controlled, and respectful of school heritage will be part of the rollout, but the conversation has clearly moved forward.
As Yurachek put it, if schools are sharing revenue with players, they ought to consider all the revenue tools available — including patches on jerseys.
It’s still early. But for the Razorbacks and many of their peers, that future is a conversation worth having.
Arkansas–LSU Basketball Preview With Snow and Weather Twist
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — SEC play doesn’t pause long enough to catch a breath, and Arkansas is finding that out again this weekend.
On a snowy Saturday where fans woke up to temperatures below 0 and a fine snow falling most of the night, there may not be a huge crowd at the game that has already been juggled for time from the late start to the afternoon.
The Hogs return home to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday to face LSU, a familiar opponent that’s still searching for footing in conference play.
The Hogs enter the matchup sitting comfortably above .500 in league play, while LSU arrives looking for traction after a difficult start against SEC competition.
The standings matter, but so does rhythm, and Arkansas has found some lately.
The Razorbacks are coming off a convincing win over Vanderbilt earlier in the week. That performance reinforced what Arkansas has leaned on much of the season like balance, tempo, and confidence on the offensive end.
It also made Bud Walton Arena feel like home again, which is never a small detail in SEC basketball.
Second-year coach John Calipari said the team’s recent stretch has helped settle things down. Arkansas has dealt with injuries, lineup adjustments, and the usual January chaos that comes with conference play.
The Hogs are now playing with more flow and better spacing, which has shown up on the scoreboard.
Darius Acuff Jr. continues to drive much of that production. The junior guard leads Arkansas in scoring and assists, giving the Razorbacks a steady presence at the top of the offense.
When Arkansas plays through him, the game tends to slow down just enough to stay under control.
LSU Searching for Stability
LSU’s record tells part of the story, but not all of it. The Tigers have talent and scoring options, yet SEC games have a way of magnifying mistakes.
Close possessions turn into long runs, and defensive lapses don’t stay hidden.
LSU head coach Matt McMahon acknowledged the challenge of navigating conference play. The Tigers have been competitive in stretches but haven’t finished games consistently.
That’s been the difference between respectability and results.
Dedan Thomas Jr. has been a bright spot for LSU, leading the Tigers in scoring and shouldering much of the offensive responsibility.
Several other players are also averaging double figures, which gives LSU options when possessions break down.
Still, road games in the SEC rarely offer comfort. Fayetteville has been a difficult stop for visiting teams, and LSU knows it’ll need to manage both the environment and Arkansas’ pace to stay within reach.
Familiar Opponents, Familiar Setting
Arkansas and LSU know each other well. Saturday’s game marks the 82nd meeting between the programs, with Arkansas holding a slim but meaningful edge in the all-time series.
The Razorbacks have also enjoyed recent success against the Tigers, particularly at Bud Walton Arena.
Last season, Arkansas handled LSU in Fayetteville, continuing a trend that’s favored the home team in this series.
That history doesn’t decide outcomes, but it adds context. These games often come down to execution rather than surprises.
The Razorbacks have leaned into that idea during their recent stretch. Arkansas hasn’t tried to reinvent itself.
Instead, the Hogs have focused on defending better, moving the ball, and letting scoring chances come naturally.
That approach becomes more important as the SEC schedule tightens. Every win carries weight, and every loss sticks longer than teams want. Arkansas has positioned itself well, but the margin for error never widens.
LSU, meanwhile, views this game as an opportunity to reset. One strong road performance can change the tone of a season, especially when confidence has been hard to find.
Saturday’s matchup won’t define either team’s year, but it will say something about direction. Arkansas wants to keep climbing. LSU wants to stop sliding.
Game Time, Channel and Stream Info
- Matchup: Arkansas vs. LSU
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
- Time: 4 p.m.
- Location: Bud Walton Arena
- TV: SEC Network
- Streaming: Watch ESPN, listen in selected radio markets on HitThatLine.com
- Radio: Arkansas Razorback Sports Network on ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home. On satelite, Sirius Channel 99, XM Channel 190, TuneIn
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