Arkansas Rockets Up the Rankings After Statement Week on the Hardwood
The Arkansas Razorbacks are heating up at just the right time. After a dominant week on the floor, the Hogs jumped five spots in the latest AP Top 25 poll, landing at No. 15 in the nation.
That’s a significant move, tied for the second-largest leap in this week's rankings. They also climbed to No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, signaling growing national respect for what’s brewing in Fayetteville.
Let’s talk about how they got there.
A Statement Win Over Vanderbilt
Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena was electric. Arkansas didn’t just beat then-No.
15 Vanderbilt-they dismantled them. The 93-68 final score tells part of the story, but the way the Razorbacks did it was even more impressive.
Six players finished in double figures, showcasing a balanced, unselfish offense that kept the Commodores on their heels all night.
Vanderbilt made a brief push late in the first half, cutting the lead to 10, but Arkansas closed the half strong and never looked back. The second half was all Razorbacks-relentless on both ends, confident, and in complete control. That kind of performance against a ranked opponent doesn’t just earn you a win-it earns you national attention.
Acuff Jr. Takes Over Against LSU
If Tuesday was about team dominance, Saturday was about one player seizing the moment.
Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. put on a show against LSU, dropping a career-high 31 points-24 of them in the second half-to lead Arkansas to an 85-81 win. His performance was nothing short of clutch.
Acuff made his final 10 field goal attempts and was involved in 23 straight Razorback points down the stretch, either scoring or assisting. That’s not just a hot hand-that’s a takeover.
The crowd, despite a winter storm that blanketed much of the state, showed up and showed out. And Acuff gave them plenty to cheer about.
Calipari Preaches Consistency
Even with the wins stacking up, head coach John Calipari isn’t letting his team get too comfortable. After the LSU game, he emphasized the need for consistent effort and mental toughness-especially in a conference where every night is a battle.
“They’re learning about themselves,” Calipari said. “I told them at halftime, you’re going to learn something. I don’t care how you played in the first half-what matters is what you do now.”
It’s clear Calipari is pushing this group to not just win, but to grow. With the SEC as deep and unpredictable as it’s been in years, that mindset could be the difference between a strong finish and a special season.
Razorbacks Lead the SEC Pack
With this week’s rankings, Arkansas now sits atop the SEC in the AP Poll. They’re ahead of No.
18 Vanderbilt, No. 19 Florida, and No.
23 Alabama. Georgia, who was ranked last week, dropped out after a lopsided loss to Texas but still received votes, along with Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Auburn.
That’s a crowded field, but right now, it’s Arkansas leading the way.
Strength of Schedule Showing Its Value
Even before this week’s surge, Arkansas had been battle-tested. Five of their non-conference opponents are still in the Top 25, including No.
4 Duke-who handed the Hogs a loss on Thanksgiving-along with Michigan State (No. 7), Houston (No.
10), Texas Tech (No. 11), and Louisville (No. 20).
That’s a gauntlet, and it’s clear the committee is taking notice.
What’s Next: Road Test in Norman
The Razorbacks will look to keep the momentum rolling Tuesday night when they head to Norman to face an Oklahoma squad that’s struggling in SEC play. The Sooners are 11-9 overall and just 1-6 in the conference, but as Calipari noted, there are no easy nights in this league.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
Arkansas is starting to look like a team with real staying power. The offense is clicking, the young stars are stepping up, and the defense is showing flashes of the gritty identity Calipari teams are known for. If they keep playing with this kind of energy and focus, this won’t be the last time we see them climbing the rankings.