In the world of college basketball, Darius Acuff Jr. is making waves, and for good reason. The standout freshman has been racking up accolades, including national Player of the Week honors from the AP and USBWA, as well as Freshman of the Week from CBS Sports. This comes on the heels of his SEC Player of the Week recognition.
Acuff's recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. He averaged 34.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in games against #25 Alabama and Missouri. His 49-point explosion at Alabama and a solid 20-point game against Missouri showcased his scoring prowess and versatility.
In a competitive field, Acuff outperformed the likes of AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Donovan Dent (UCLA) to claim the AP National Player of the Week title.
The USBWA also recognized Acuff as the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week. This honor was shared with other top performers, including Dybantsa, who averaged 32.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists against #4 Arizona and #6 Iowa State. Orlando Lovejoy from Detroit Mercy, Josiah Davis from Cal State Northridge, and Chance Westry from UAB were also highlighted for their stellar performances.
This marks the second time Acuff has been named National Freshman of the Week by CBS Sports, which collaborates with the USBWA and the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year Trophy to select weekly winners. His previous recognition came after standout games against James Madison and Tennessee.
CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno praised Acuff's incredible 50-minute performance against Alabama, calling it one of the best individual efforts in college basketball this season.
Next up for Arkansas is a matchup against Texas A&M on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Bud Walton Arena. Fans can catch the action at 8 pm (CT) on ESPN2. Acuff's recent form suggests it will be a game worth watching.