Arkansas’ Dynamic Freshman Duo Powers Razorbacks, Sets Stage for SEC Showdown with Georgia
It’s not often you walk into Bud Walton Arena and feel like you’ve just watched a basketball clinic. But that’s exactly what South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris witnessed - and he didn’t sugarcoat it.
His Gamecocks ran into a buzzsaw in the form of No. 17 Arkansas, led by two freshmen who continue to play well beyond their years.
Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas weren’t just good - they were electric. Thomas poured in 21 points on a near-perfect 8-of-9 shooting night, adding 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists. Acuff, meanwhile, delivered a dazzling 18-point, 13-assist double-double that showcased his court vision, poise, and command of the offense.
The final score - a 108-74 Arkansas win - tells part of the story. The other part?
It could’ve been worse if not for a late 9-0 South Carolina run against Arkansas’ reserves. The Razorbacks dominated from the jump, and once again, it was their freshman backcourt driving the engine.
Paris couldn’t help but admire what he saw in Acuff.
“He plays like he grew up on the playground,” Paris said. “And that’s rare these days. His game just shines in a way you don’t see often - he’s talented, composed, and just has that feel.”
That playground flair Paris mentioned? It’s what makes Acuff such a matchup nightmare.
He’s not just playing basketball - he’s dictating the rhythm of the game. And when Thomas is rolling alongside him, Arkansas becomes a problem for any team in the country.
The Razorbacks (13-4, 3-1 SEC) are going to need every bit of that dynamic duo’s versatility on Saturday when they travel to Athens to face No. 21 Georgia.
Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Central at Stegeman Coliseum, and if you like fast-paced basketball, this one’s for you.
Arkansas ranks 24th nationally in tempo, per KenPom. Georgia?
No. 3.
The Bulldogs average a blistering 96.6 points per game - tops in the nation - and they’re not shy about getting out and running.
They’ve got scoring depth, too. Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.8 PPG), Blue Cain (14.1), and Marcus Millender (11.8) all average double figures, while Somto Cyril and Kanon Catchings are just a bucket away at 9.8 apiece. Even with back-to-back losses to Florida and Ole Miss, Georgia’s offense remains one of the most explosive in college hoops.
“We’ve got to move on to Arkansas, which is really good,” Georgia head coach Mike White said after their buzzer-beater loss to Ole Miss. “We all should be frustrated with how we defended. It’s unacceptable.”
Translation: Georgia knows it has to tighten things up defensively - and fast - because Arkansas is coming in hot.
John Calipari’s Razorbacks aren’t just fast; they’re disruptive. They press, they scramble, they fly around the court.
And they rebound. That chaos is by design, and it works because Acuff and Thomas can thrive in it or slow things down when needed.
“They’re really a good team,” Calipari said of Georgia. “They’re big, they rebound, they run at you. It’s going to be a really hard game for us.”
But if anyone’s equipped for a track meet, it’s Acuff and Thomas. Acuff was just named to the midseason watchlists for both the Oscar Robertson Award (national player of the year) and the Wayman Tisdale Award (top freshman). He’s also won an SEC-record five straight freshman of the week honors.
Thomas didn’t land on those lists, but don’t let that fool you. He’s averaging 15.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and his two-way impact is undeniable. He’s a strong on-ball defender, a confident shooter, and a perfect complement to Acuff’s playmaking.
“It helps more than you can imagine when you’ve got a point guard that puts so much pressure on the defense,” Thomas said. “It makes everything easier for the rest of us. It’s special to be able to just catch and shoot.”
That synergy is what sets this freshman duo apart. They’re not just coexisting - they’re elevating each other’s games. And in a season loaded with elite first-year talent, Arkansas has two of the best.
Around the country, other programs have freshman tandems making noise - Arizona’s Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Dame Sarr, Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac, Illinois’ David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler, Virginia’s Thjis De Ridder and Johann Grunlow. It’s a stacked class.
But Calipari isn’t shy about where he thinks his guys stand.
“[Acuff] and Meleek Thomas, we got two of the best freshmen in the country,” he said after Arkansas’ win over Tennessee earlier this month. “Don’t tell me there are 15 freshmen better than them.
You can say it, and you can be mad about it, but that’s not your opinion - that’s your hope. These two are good.”
Thomas sees it, too.
“[Acuff] has great instincts,” he said. “He’s just out there hooping.
He’s out there gaming. And when he’s in that zone, you can’t really guard him.”
Saturday’s showdown in Athens will be a test - of pace, poise, and execution. But if Arkansas’ freshman duo continues to play like this, the Razorbacks won’t just be tough to beat - they’ll be must-watch basketball.