Arkansas and Missouri Battle for SEC Tournament Seedings
This Saturday, No. 20 Arkansas is set to face off against Missouri in Fayetteville, with all eyes on the standout freshman, Darius Acuff Jr., who’s making waves in the Southeastern Conference.
Acuff, a favorite for the SEC Player of the Year, is fresh off a record-setting 49-point performance in a thrilling 117-115 double-overtime loss to No. 25 Alabama.
Acuff’s display was nothing short of spectacular, breaking the school record for points by a freshman. He also nailed six 3-pointers and added five assists and rebounds, all while committing just a single turnover in 50 grueling minutes.
He surpassed Scotty Thurman's long-standing freshman scoring record from the 1992-93 season. Yet, Acuff remains grounded, stating, "It don't mean nothing.
However many I had, we lost."
Arkansas, sitting at 19-7 overall and 9-4 in the SEC, is looking to bounce back against the Tigers. With a coveted double bye in the conference tournament on the line, the Razorbacks are in a tight race with Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee, all of whom share a 9-4 league record. Missouri, at 18-8 and 8-5 in the SEC, is among five teams vying for a top spot.
Missouri enters the matchup riding the momentum of an 81-80 victory over No. 19 Vanderbilt, where they nearly squandered a 21-point lead. Coach Dennis Gates emphasized the importance of such wins for their tournament resume, saying, "For Selection Sunday, our job is to get these types of wins."
Arkansas showed resilience against Alabama, overcoming a 14-point deficit to force overtime with Acuff’s clutch 3-pointer. However, Acuff’s final shot in double overtime fell short, and the Razorbacks couldn’t capitalize on the rebound.
Despite playing with a sore left ankle, Acuff’s determination shone through. Arkansas coach John Calipari noted Acuff’s grit, as he played through the injury sustained in a previous win over Auburn.
"I'm just proud of the way we fought," Acuff said. "We're going to bounce back."
Foul trouble plagued the Razorbacks, with four players, including key starters Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III, fouling out. Injuries also sidelined Karter Knox and Isaiah Sealy, forcing Arkansas to rely on bench players Elmir Dzafic and Jaden Karuletwa in crunch time.
Missouri has faced its own challenges with injuries. Guard Jayden Stone, who led with 19 points against Vanderbilt, and forward Trent Pierce have both returned to form after early setbacks.
"Our season changes because they are healthy," Gates remarked. "We're a different team when these guys and their IQ is on the court."
Stone is averaging 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Pierce contributes 10.2 points per game. Forward Mark Mitchell leads the Tigers with 16.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
As these two teams clash, the stakes are high, and the battle for SEC tournament positioning promises to be as intense as ever.