FAYETTEVILLE - Darius Acuff Jr. is doing more than just making noise in his freshman season at Arkansas - he’s putting together one of the most complete campaigns we’ve seen from a first-year point guard in recent memory. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame took notice, naming Acuff one of the 10 midseason candidates for the 2026 Bob Cousy Award, which honors the nation’s top point guard.
And make no mistake: Acuff isn’t just on this list - he’s earned every bit of it.
Let’s start with the numbers. Acuff is one of only three players in the entire country averaging at least 18 points and 6 assists per game.
He’s currently putting up 20.3 points and 6.2 assists per outing, joining elite company alongside Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson (19.6 PPG, 7.5 APG) and SMU’s Boopie Miller (19.0 PPG, 6.6 APG). But here’s where Acuff separates himself: he’s the only player in the NCAA averaging more than 15 points and 5.5 assists while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio above 3.
That’s not just good - that’s elite-level floor general stuff.
Efficiency matters, especially at the point guard spot, and Acuff has been surgical with the ball. His 3.04 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 33rd nationally - and first among all SEC players.
That kind of decision-making from a freshman is rare. It’s not just that he’s producing; it’s how he’s doing it that makes him stand out.
Zoom in on conference play, and the numbers only get more impressive. In SEC games alone, Acuff is leading the league in both scoring (22.56 PPG) and assists (6.33 APG).
He’s not just keeping up - he’s setting the pace. His 48.6% shooting from the field in conference play ranks third in the SEC, and he’s knocking down free throws at an 82% clip.
The kid is getting it done at all three levels.
Here’s a breakdown of where Acuff ranks both nationally and in the SEC overall:
NCAA/SEC Rankings:
- 14th nationally / 1st in SEC - Field Goals Made (160)
- 21st / 1st - Assists per game (6.2)
- 24th / 4th - Scoring average (20.3 PPG)
- 33rd / 1st - Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (3.04)
Among NCAA Freshmen:
- 2nd - Assists (6.2)
- 3rd - Field Goals Made (160)
- 4th - Scoring (20.3 PPG)
- 4th - Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (3.04)
- 10th - 3-Point Field Goals Made (2.23 per game)
In SEC Games Only:
- 1st - Scoring (22.56 PPG)
- 1st - Assists (6.33 APG)
- 2nd - Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (2.85)
- 3rd - Field Goal Percentage (48.6%)
- 15th - Free Throw Percentage (82.0%)
It’s not just the stats, either. Acuff has been a consistent force for Arkansas all season long, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors a record-tying six times. That consistency - combined with his production, poise, and leadership - has made him a clear-cut candidate for postseason accolades.
Fan voting for the Bob Cousy Award opens Feb. 6 at hoophallawards.com, and it’s worth noting that the fan vote counts as one official vote in the final selection process. If Acuff keeps this pace up, he won’t just be in the conversation - he might be the one holding the trophy when it’s all said and done.
For now, though, Arkansas has a star in the making - and the rest of the SEC is on notice.