If you walked into Bud Walton Arena last night expecting a nail-biter, you probably left a little shocked—and maybe a little deaf from the noise. Honestly, after that rough outing against Auburn over the weekend, nobody was quite sure which version of the Hogs was going to show up.
But we got our answer. The #17 Arkansas Razorbacks won their game against South Carolina with a final score of 108–74. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. A "we’re still here" kind of performance that reminded the rest of the SEC why John Calipari’s first year in Fayetteville is making people nervous. They didn’t just beat the Gamecocks; they ran them out of the building.
The Freshman Takeover: Acuff and Thomas
Let's talk about the kids.
Darius Acuff Jr. is playing like he’s been in college for a decade. He put up 18 points, but the 13 assists are what really jump off the page. He was seeing lanes before they even opened up. It's his fifth straight SEC Freshman of the Week honor for a reason.
Then you have Meleek Thomas. This kid basically couldn't miss. He came off the bench and dropped 21 points, shooting 8-of-9 from the floor. He went a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range. Every time South Carolina tried to mount some sort of momentum, Meleek would just hit another dagger and the crowd would go absolutely wild.
Why the Score Was So Lopsided
You've gotta feel for South Carolina a little bit. Meechie Johnson did everything he could, scoring 29 points for the Gamecocks, but he was essentially on an island.
The specialty stats tell the real story of who won the Razorback game today and how they did it:
- Points off turnovers: Arkansas 22, South Carolina 2.
- Fastbreak points: Arkansas 32, South Carolina 7.
- Bench points: Arkansas 47, South Carolina 15.
Arkansas only turned the ball over four times the entire game. Four! In a high-tempo SEC game, that’s almost unheard of. It kept the pressure on South Carolina for 40 straight minutes. When you don't give the other team extra possessions, and you're shooting nearly 70% in the second half like the Hogs were, the math just gets ugly for the visitor real fast.
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The "Calipari Effect" and the Post-Game Comedy
One of the best moments didn't even happen during the game. In the post-game press conference, Coach Cal was talking about how tough Auburn is (since they beat Arkansas last week). Someone in the media pool mentioned that Auburn actually just lost to Missouri.
Calipari’s face was priceless. He literally just got up and walked out of the presser, saying he was "out" before he said something he shouldn't. It’s that kind of energy that has the fanbase energized. The Hogs are 13–4 now, and 3–1 in the conference. They’re sitting in a great spot.
What's Next for the Hogs?
If you're looking to catch the next one, the schedule doesn't get any easier. They’re heading to Athens to face Georgia this Saturday, January 17th. That’s a 3:00 PM CST tip-off on ESPNU.
Road games in the SEC are always a different animal, and the Bulldogs aren't going to just hand them a win like the Gamecocks did in the second half last night. But if Acuff and Thomas keep playing at this level, and the team continues to protect the ball, they're going to be a tough out for anybody in March.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the SEC Standings: With Auburn's loss to Missouri and Arkansas' win, the top of the conference is getting crowded. Keep an eye on the tiebreakers.
- Ticket Check: If you're planning on seeing the Kentucky game on January 31st, buy your tickets now. After a 100-point performance like this, Bud Walton is going to be sold out for the rest of the winter.
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the second-half shooting clinic, go find the highlights on the SEC Network or the ESPN app. It was a masterclass in transition offense.
The Razorbacks are officially back on track.