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Arkansas rolls past Southern 109-77 in season opener at Bud Walton
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opened its season with a 109-77 win over Southern on Monday night, giving John Calipari a convincing victory to begin his second year with the Razorbacks.
The No. 14 Razorbacks were without sophomore forward Karter Knox, sidelined by a toe sprain, but didn’t struggle to score.
Arkansas shot 57 percent from the field, led by Trevon Brazile’s double-double and strong showings from freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas.
The Razorbacks recorded 23 assists against only nine turnovers, moving the ball with pace while forcing 15 turnovers on defense. Calipari said he liked the unselfish play but noted room for improvement defensively.
“It was fun to see so many guys contribute,” Calipari said. “We shared the ball, and that’s what I want to see. But we have to stay disciplined on defense.”
Freshmen make instant impact
Acuff, a 6-foot-2 guard from Detroit, became the first Arkansas freshman to score 20 points in a half in his debut. He had 20 before halftime and finished with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Thomas added 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including four threes, and grabbed six rebounds with seven assists. He also recorded three steals in 29 minutes.
“He is super special,” Thomas said of Acuff. “He’s super talented on offense and really getting good on defense. I’m proud of him.”
Thomas said his focus was on making an impact across the stat sheet. “I really pride myself on stat-stuffing,” he said. “If I can master defense and the other things, the sky’s the limit.”
Brazile anchors veteran core
Brazile led Arkansas with 25 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 8 of 14 shots and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. His performance included a fast-break dunk that electrified the Bud Walton Arena crowd.
“The whole summer, the way we were scrimmaging, that’s just the way I’ve been playing,” Brazile said. “I know for us to be successful, I’ve got to keep playing that way. I’m just doing my job.”
The veteran forward was one of six Razorbacks to score in double figures. Arkansas finished with 62 points in the paint and 19 on fast breaks while holding Southern to just 39 percent shooting.
Southern guard Jordan Johnson led the Jaguars with 19 points and five assists.
Early run sets the tone
Southern took a 2-0 lead before Arkansas responded with a 12-1 run behind DJ Wagner’s layup and three-pointer. The Razorbacks led 19-6 with 14 minutes left in the first half, forcing Southern into early foul trouble.
The Jaguars trimmed the margin to 21-12 after a four-minute scoring drought from Arkansas that included several turnovers. Acuff and Thomas then sparked a 10-2 run, and Arkansas never looked back.
The Razorbacks led 52-37 at halftime. Calipari’s team opened the second half with a 13-2 run capped by consecutive threes from Thomas and a dunk from Brazile. The lead grew to 37 midway through the half, and Arkansas’s reserves closed out the final minutes.
Calipari sees positives and lessons
Calipari said he liked the team’s passing and balance but noted moments where the Razorbacks’ defense slipped when Southern applied pressure.
“There’s a lot of good that came from this game,” Calipari said. “But there’s a lot of stuff we’ve got to teach. You can’t have stretches where you lose focus.”
Arkansas finished 12 of 27 from three-point range and 19 of 23 from the line. The Razorbacks also outrebounded the Jaguars 42-30 and scored 21 points off turnovers.
“The effort was there,” Calipari said. “We moved the ball, didn’t settle for bad shots, and our guys competed. Now we’ve got to keep building.”
Next up
Arkansas (1-0) will travel to East Lansing to face No. 22 Michigan State on Friday. The matchup will be televised on Fox at 6 p.m. Central.
Southern (0-1) will play at Dayton on Thursday.
Key takeaways:
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Arkansas freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas combined for 43 points in their college debuts.
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Trevon Brazile’s 25-point, 11-rebound double-double anchored the Razorbacks’ balanced attack.
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John Calipari praised his team’s ball movement but emphasized the need for better defensive consistency.
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Arkansas hosts Southern Monday at 6 p.m. in season opener
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opens the men’s basketball season Monday night when they host the Southern Jaguars at Bud Walton Arena.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. with television coverage on SEC Network. On radio you can listen here on HitThatLine.com or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
The game marks the official start of the John Calipari era in Fayetteville as Arkansas looks to build momentum early against a veteran Southern team.
Southern, out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, returns several key players from last year’s 19-10 squad. Meanwhile, Arkansas aims to blend its transfers and returning core after a strong preseason showing.
Calipari’s Razorbacks swept their two exhibition games, defeating Cincinnati 89-61 and Memphis 99-75. Monday’s contest gives the team its first official chance to perform under regular season pressure in front of a home crowd.
Broadcast and streaming information
The game will air live on SEC Network with a 6 p.m. tip. Radio broadcasts will be available across Arkansas, and listen here on HitThatLine.com or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home..
Streaming fans should be aware that YouTube TV subscribers currently cannot access SEC Network due to an ongoing contract dispute.
Fans can still watch through alternate providers that carry the channel or listen via radio networks.
Bud Walton Arena, which seats more than 19,000 fans, is expected to be near capacity for the opener.
Parking and entry guidelines will follow standard game-day procedures, and fans are encouraged to arrive early.
Southern’s background and mindset
Southern enters under third-year head coach Kevin Johnson, who has guided the Jaguars to consistent success in the SWAC. Last season, they finished 19-10 overall and captured the league’s regular season title.
The Jaguars are known for disciplined defense and a balanced offense, which could present an early test for Arkansas. Johnson’s squad will look to slow tempo and attack in transition when possible.
Arkansas forward Nick Pringle said the Razorbacks are approaching the matchup with focus and respect.
“They won their conference last year,” Pringle said. “They’re supposed to win this year. So every one is going to count for us this year. That’s the type of team that would shock you. We want to take this as any game.”
Pringle added that complacency is something the team has discussed repeatedly. “Complacency is one of the words that I use a lot, just with the group of guys we have,” he said.
Arkansas’ approach under Calipari
In his second season at Arkansas, Calipari has emphasized defense, tempo, and maturity. The Razorbacks finished 22-14 last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen before falling to Texas Tech.
Preseason exhibitions offered a glimpse of what Arkansas hopes to showcase — depth, size, and unselfish play. Calipari’s rotations featured both veterans and newcomers, with several transfers contributing early.
Pringle said Calipari has balanced encouragement with accountability.
“Coach is very honest with us, so he tells us when we’re doing good and he tells us when we’re lacking or doing bad,” Pringle said. “It’s been both, really, and that’s how it should be, especially this early in the season.”
He added that Calipari’s expectations were clear from the start.
“From our performances, especially the first one, he was very excited about what we put out. He challenged us a bit.”
What to watch Monday night
The opener will reveal how Arkansas executes against a well-coached, experienced opponent. Three key questions surround the matchup.
First, how quickly will the Razorbacks find consistency under Calipari’s system? The new pieces must blend with returning leaders to create a cohesive lineup.
Second, can Southern carry its SWAC success onto a Power Five stage? The Jaguars’ defensive intensity could test Arkansas’ spacing and shot selection.
Third, how will the Razorbacks respond to their first real game action of the season? Early turnovers and shot discipline could decide momentum in the first half.
Pringle said the team is eager to show progress. “We want to showcase to our fans what we want to do for this first game and throughout the season,” he said.
Game logistics and outlook
Both teams enter 0-0, but each brings contrasting styles. Arkansas will look to push pace and dominate in the paint.
Southern aims to control tempo and limit second-chance points.
The Razorbacks hope a strong start at home will set the foundation for the coming non-conference schedule before SEC play begins later this winter.
Southern, coming off a championship year, seeks to add another statement win to its program history.
Key Takeaways:
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Arkansas hosts Southern on Monday at 6 p.m. CST at Bud Walton Arena with coverage on SEC Network.
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Southern, last year’s SWAC champion, brings a disciplined approach under coach Kevin Johnson.
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Forward Nick Pringle emphasized avoiding complacency as Arkansas begins its first full season under John Calipari.
