Honestly, if you missed the game last night, you missed a clinic. Bud Walton Arena was absolutely rocking, and for good reason. The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks didn't just win; they dismantled South Carolina.
The final score was 108-74.
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That’s a 34-point gap. It wasn't even that close for most of the second half. John Calipari has this squad playing with a kind of frantic, high-octane energy that makes them look like one of the most dangerous teams in the SEC right now. After a bit of a rough patch on the road against Auburn earlier in the month, this was exactly the kind of "get right" game the Hogs needed to remind everyone why they're top-20 mainstays.
How it Happened: The Acuff and Thomas Show
Darius Acuff Jr. is basically playing a different game than everyone else right now. He ended the night with 18 points, but the 13 assists are what really tell the story. He was slicing through the Gamecocks' defense like it was paper. Every time South Carolina tried to collapse the paint, he'd find a shooter or a cutting big man.
Then you've got Meleek Thomas. Coming off the bench and dropping 21 points? That’s just unfair. He led a group of six different Razorbacks who finished in double figures. When your bench is outscoring some teams' starters, you know the recruitment strategy is paying off.
The game stayed somewhat competitive for the first ten minutes, but Arkansas went on a tear toward the end of the first half. They went into the locker room up 50-38. Most people thought South Carolina might make a run in the second. They didn't. Instead, Arkansas poured in 58 points in the final 20 minutes.
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The Stats That Matter
If you're looking for why the Arkansas Razorbacks won the game so convincingly, look at the shooting percentages. Arkansas shot a blistering 64.4% from the field. In college basketball, that's basically a video game stat. South Carolina, meanwhile, struggled to find any rhythm, hitting only 44% of their shots.
- Arkansas Points in Paint: Total dominance.
- Fast Break Points: The Hogs outran them 22-8.
- Turnovers: South Carolina coughed it up 16 times, and Arkansas turned those into 24 points.
Malique Ewin was another huge factor. He put up 18 points of his own, and Trevon Brazile added 13. It was a complete team effort. It felt like every time South Carolina's Meechie Johnson Jr. (who actually had a solid 29 points) tried to get his team back into it, a different Razorback would hit a soul-crushing three-pointer or get an easy dunk.
What’s Next for the Hogs?
Winning at home is one thing, but the SEC is a gauntlet this year. This win moves Arkansas to 13-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. They’ve proven they can handle the middle-of-the-pack teams with ease when the atmosphere in Fayetteville is right.
The defense is still the "X-factor" though. While they won big, letting one player drop 29 might annoy Calipari during the film session. But hey, when you score 108, you can afford a few defensive lapses.
Moving forward, the focus is all on consistency. They have some massive road tests coming up where the crowd won't be behind them. If Acuff keeps distributing the ball at this level, and Thomas continues to be a spark plug off the bench, this team is a lock for a deep March run.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Assist Numbers: Keep an eye on Darius Acuff Jr.’s assist-to-turnover ratio; it's the heartbeat of this offense.
- Bench Depth: Look at Meleek Thomas's minutes. If he continues to get 25+ minutes off the bench, he’s a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
- Ticket Strategy: If you’re planning to head to Bud Walton, buy early. The "Calipari Effect" is real, and sellouts are becoming the norm again.
- Road Record: Track how this team handles the next two away games. Winning at home is great, but SEC titles are won on the road.
Check the official SEC standings tomorrow morning to see how much this jump-starts their climb toward the top four seeds.