Arkansas Overpowers No. 15 Vanderbilt in Statement Win, 93-68
If Bud Walton Arena had a voice, it would’ve been singing loud and proud Wednesday night. Arkansas didn’t just beat 15th-ranked Vanderbilt-they dominated from tip to buzzer.
The 93-68 win wasn’t just a bounce-back; it was a statement. The Razorbacks are now 4-2 in SEC play, and suddenly, the outlook for this team is brighter than it’s been in weeks.
A Fresh Look, A Fresh Result
John Calipari made some tweaks to the starting five, and they paid off immediately. Meleek Thomas got his first start of the season, replacing DJ Wagner, and the ripple effect was exactly what Arkansas needed.
Thomas looked comfortable and confident in the new role, while Wagner, coming off the bench, thrived with more time as the primary ballhandler. That shift gave the offense a new rhythm-and gave Darius Acuff a much-needed break from running the show solo.
Karter Knox brought energy and production, finishing with 16 points and 4 rebounds. Acuff bounced back in a big way, putting up 17 points and 5 assists while locking in on the defensive end-something that had been missing in recent outings.
And then there was Trevon Brazile. Against a smaller Vanderbilt frontcourt, Brazile looked like a man among boys: 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.
He controlled the glass, facilitated from the high post, and made life miserable for the Commodores inside.
Vanderbilt’s Size Issue Comes to Light
Vanderbilt came into this one reeling a bit, having lost two straight, and things didn’t get any easier in Fayetteville. The Commodores have talent, no doubt, but their lack of size in the paint was glaring against an Arkansas team that leaned into its physicality. Vanderbilt’s 6-foot-7 center simply couldn’t hold the line against the Hogs’ interior strength.
The result? A lopsided paint battle that Arkansas won 50-22.
That stat alone tells the story, but it’s not just about size-it’s about how Arkansas used it. The Razorbacks attacked relentlessly, moved the ball with purpose, and forced Vanderbilt into scramble mode possession after possession.
Offensive Efficiency on Full Display
Here’s the wild part: this game was played at a surprisingly slow tempo. And yet, Arkansas still dropped 93 points. That’s efficiency at its finest.
The Hogs scored on 64% of their possessions-an elite number by any standard-and torched Vanderbilt’s typically solid halfcourt defense for 67 points on 53 halfcourt trips. They shot 74% effective field goal percentage on paint touches, used the paint for over half their offensive volume, and assisted on 68% of their made buckets. That’s not just good offense; that’s surgical.
Interestingly, despite emphasizing physicality, Arkansas didn’t get to the line much. But that wasn’t for lack of aggression-it was because Vanderbilt defenders often weren’t even in position to foul. When a team throws down 12 dunks, there’s not much need for free throws.
Thomas Taking the Reins
The decision to elevate Meleek Thomas to the starting lineup looks like more than just a one-game experiment. He’s now leading the team in xRAPM (expected Regularized Adjusted Plus-Minus), a strong indicator that his presence is making a tangible impact on both ends of the floor.
Wagner, despite playing just 16 minutes, was effective in his role, especially when paired with Acuff or Thomas. That trio of guards gives Calipari a lot of flexibility, and the early returns suggest that the Thomas-Acuff duo is the most potent combination right now.
Pringle Steps Up
Malique Ewin may still be the more consistent big over the long haul, but Nick Pringle made a strong case for more minutes in this one. He finished as the fourth-most productive Razorback in terms of net points added (+4.4), and his matchup with Vanderbilt’s Devin McGlockton was a mismatch. McGlockton ended the night a brutal -22 in 25 minutes.
And for Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt’s freshman guard? Welcome to SEC basketball. Arkansas’ backcourt gave him a crash course in physicality, and he struggled to adjust.
Lineup Breakdown: What Worked
Calipari used 15 different lineup combinations in this one, and the data tells a clear story:
- The starting five (Acuff, Thomas, Knox, Brazile, Pringle) played just 10 possessions together but outscored Vanderbilt 15-2. That’s about as dominant a start as you can ask for.
- Swap Ewin in for Pringle, and the group still held its own, edging Vanderbilt 31-30 over 22 possessions.
- Lineups with Acuff and Thomas but no Wagner were +15 (51-36) over 38 possessions.
- Wagner and Thomas without Acuff? +9 (17-8) in 10 possessions.
- Acuff and Wagner without Thomas? +5 (20-15) in 14 possessions.
- All three guards together? +2 (7-5) in just three possessions.
It’s a small sample, but the trend is consistent with what we’ve seen all season: Thomas is the glue. Lineups with him tend to thrive, especially when paired with Acuff. Wagner has value, but the Acuff-Wagner pairing without Thomas is clearly the weakest of the three main guard combinations.
What’s Next?
Arkansas now enters a golden stretch in the schedule: six straight games against unranked opponents. It starts Saturday at home against LSU. The Tigers are scrappy, and this isn’t a game the Hogs can afford to overlook, but it’s also one they should win.
After that, it’s a road trip to Oklahoma followed by a marquee home showdown with Kentucky. If Arkansas can stay locked in and take care of business, they could be sitting at 9-3 or even 10-2 in SEC play before the gauntlet begins.
The Razorbacks have had their ups and downs, but this win was a reminder: when they’re clicking, they’re a force. And with the lineup finally starting to settle and roles becoming clearer, this team might just be finding its stride at the perfect time.