The Arkansas Razorbacks fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide 117-115 in double overtime, but all of the talk after the game was about Arkansas Freshman PG Darius Acuff Jr.’s impressive stat line. The Razorbacks led by 10 at halftime, but the Crimson Tide forced overtime, and then they played another where they came away with a hard-fought home win.
NBA Stars React as Darius Acuff Jr. Drops Record-Breaking 49 Points vs. Alabama
Acuff Jr. stuffed the stat sheet with 49 points, five rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal. He was 16-of-27 from the field, including hitting six threes on 10 attempts. This performance set the record for points by an Arkansas freshman, as well as the most points in SEC history by a freshman against a ranked opponent.
Arkansas star Darius Acuff Jr. went off vs. Alabama
49 points
6 threes
5 rebounds
5 assists
61.5 FG%
60 3PT%HIGHLIGHTS: pic.twitter.com/HC1OB5HVX0
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) February 19, 2026
NBA players were all over X showing love to Acuff Jr. “Acuff JR the coldest PG in college basketball. HOOP game!!!” said Isaiah Thomas, and Kendrick Perkins complimented him in the way that only Big Perk knows how to, saying, “Like I said he’s the Best College Guard that Calipari has ever coached! His name is Darius Acuff Jr. Carry the hell on…”
Darius Acuff one of them next ones !
Head up Killa!— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 19, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell chimed in on the freshmen as a whole, saying, “These freshmen guards are tough!! DP Mikel Acuff Flemming!! I’m missing some, but Sheesh!!” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton did the same in his post, as you will see below.
Salute to all these freshman killing like this in college hoops, it’s some special shit goin on
— Tyrese Haliburton (@Hali) February 19, 2026
This is shaping up to be an incredible NBA Draft class, given the level these guards are playing at and the fact that none of them are even considered top-four picks in the upcoming draft, led by AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer.
While the negatives of NIL are often discussed, I could argue that the commitment shown to these players when they first arrive on campus can shorten their adjustment periods and help them feel respected and as if they belong faster than before.
Of course, they should have to prove it, just like any player in any sport, but wasted talent is bad for any sport, and the more fanbases that are excited and getting the most out of their players will lead to more intrigue, and of course, money, to go into the sport.
