Razorbacks Run Wild: No. 20 Arkansas Overwhelms No. 15 Vanderbilt in Statement Win
There was no easing into this one - Arkansas came out swinging and never let up. The 20th-ranked Razorbacks dominated from tip to buzzer in a 93-68 rout of No. 15 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena, handing the Commodores their third straight loss and reminding the SEC that Fayetteville is still one of the toughest places to play in college basketball.
Arkansas shot a blistering 57.8% from the field, built a 20-point lead in the first half, and never let the margin dip below double digits after the break. This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement.
Darius Acuff Jr. led the Razorbacks with 17 points, while Maleek Thomas and Karter Knox added 16 apiece. Trevon Brazile was a force on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds as Arkansas completely controlled the boards, out-rebounding Vanderbilt 39-27.
For Vanderbilt, it was another night of missed opportunities and mounting frustration. The Commodores shot just 37.9% from the floor and struggled to match Arkansas’s energy and execution. Tyler Nickel led the team with 17 points - all of which came in the first half - but there was little help elsewhere.
Arkansas Sets the Tone Early
From the opening tip, Arkansas made it clear this was their game to control. The Razorbacks jumped out to an 18-4 lead less than eight minutes in, riding hot shooting and relentless pressure.
Vanderbilt tried to slow things down by switching to a zone defense, and for a brief stretch, it worked. But the Razorbacks quickly adjusted.
De'Juan Wagner knocked down a three, then Thomas hit back-to-back from deep, pushing the lead to 34-14 with just over seven minutes left in the first half. Vanderbilt finally found some rhythm late in the half, with Nickel and Duke Miles each connecting on a pair of threes to trim the deficit to 46-35 at the break.
But any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
Razorbacks Slam the Door Shut
Arkansas opened the second half with six straight points, stretching the lead to 17. From there, it only got worse for Vanderbilt. The Razorbacks turned the game into a dunk contest, outscoring the Commodores 50-22 in the paint and throwing down 13 dunks - many of them uncontested.
Malique Ewen’s free throws with 11:14 to play pushed the lead past 20, and a Thomas three with 1:37 remaining sent it soaring over 30. It was the kind of performance that leaves no room for doubt: Arkansas is for real, and Bud Walton Arena is still a fortress.
Commodores Searching for Answers
For Vanderbilt, this one stings - not just because of the score, but because of how it happened.
This team was once knocking on the door of the top 10 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Now?
They’re 29th overall and dead last in the SEC in conference play. The effort on the defensive end just wasn’t there Tuesday night, and head coach Mark Byington didn’t sugarcoat it: “That was embarrassing,” he said postgame.
“That’s the first time this year I felt like we didn’t compete.”
It’s hard to argue. Arkansas was 7-of-13 from deep in the first half, then turned the second half into a layup line. The Razorbacks’ superior athleticism was on full display, and Vanderbilt simply didn’t have an answer.
Duke Miles, typically one of Vanderbilt’s engines, was held to just five points and struggled to create anything offensively. Early foul trouble didn’t help, but the lack of impact was noticeable. And while the absence of Frankie Collins continues to loom large - the Commodores have missed his swagger and defensive instincts since he went down in mid-December - this was about more than one missing player.
A Crucial Stretch Ahead
Vanderbilt’s recent slide has exposed some cracks in the foundation. The offense, once fluid and fearless, has looked tentative against teams with size and athleticism. The rim looks a lot smaller when you're facing the likes of Texas, Florida, and Arkansas - and the Commodores haven’t responded well.
They’ve struggled to finish inside, looked hesitant in the paint, and haven’t found consistent scoring beyond their top options. If Collins returns soon - possibly as early as Saturday - it will help, but he can’t fix everything on his own. Others, like Miles, will need to step up, especially in hostile environments.
And speaking of Saturday, that trip to Mississippi State is looming large. It’s not a “must-win” by definition - it’s still January, after all - but it’s about as close as it gets. The Bulldogs are the lowest-ranked team Vanderbilt will face the rest of the way (per KenPom), and if the Commodores can’t get it done in Starkville, it’s fair to wonder where the next road win might come from.
After that? A home date with Kentucky, a team that’s been red-hot on the road and is showing signs of becoming the team everyone feared. That’s not the kind of matchup you want to walk into on a losing streak.
Bottom Line
Arkansas looked every bit the top-20 team Tuesday night - efficient, explosive, and locked in from the start. They remain unbeaten at home, winning by an average of 24 points per game in Fayetteville, and if they keep playing like this, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the SEC.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is in the middle of a rough patch - and the clock is ticking. Getting Collins back would be a big boost, but the rest of the roster needs to bring more fire, more focus, and more fight if this team wants to stay in the conversation come March.