Razorbacks Make a Statement in Opener, Overpower Southern 109–77

For Razorback fans worn down by the heartbreak of football weekends, Arkansas basketball offered something to relieve and enjoy. Under the magician John Calipari, the Razorbacks (1–0, 0–0 SEC) opened their season with a dominant 109–77 win over the Southern Jaguars (0–1, 0–0 SWAC) Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas set the tone early, racing out to a 15–3 run in the opening four minutes and never looking back. Despite being without star sophomore forward Karter Knox, the Hogs showed depth and balance as freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas joined veteran forward Trevon Brazile to deliver a convincing performance.

Fast Start, Big Finish for the Hogs

Excitement filled the air before tipoff, marking the start of Calipari’s second season in Fayetteville. The anticipation was clear among fans, players, and staff, all energized by what this team could become. After a strong opening bucket by Southern’s Malek Abdelgowad, Arkansas responded with an impressive 12 to 1 spurt led by DJ Wagner’s transition layup and a catch-and-shoot three. The Hogs never trailed again. By the 14-minute mark, they had built a 19 to 6 lead while holding the Jaguars to just 1 of 9 shooting during that stretch.

Southern showed some fight midway through the first half as Arkansas went through a sloppy stretch filled with turnovers and stagnant offense, cutting the lead to 21–12. But the Razorbacks quickly regrouped, responding with a 10–2 run to regain firm control.

The game truly broke open late in the first half when Darius Acuff caught fire, scoring 12 points in the final three minutes. He went into halftime with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including a flawless 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. It marked the first time in program history that a Razorback freshman scored 20 points in a half during their debut.

Arkansas entered the break leading 52–37 and looked ready to build on it. Southern briefly pushed back with full-court pressure and a 7–2 run, but the Hogs quickly reestablished dominance.

Meleek Thomas drained back-to-back threes, and Trevon Brazile electrified the crowd with a thunderous transition dunk. Brazile scored 15 of his career-high 25 points in the second half as Arkansas’ lead ballooned to as much as 37. The Razorbacks never let it dip below 24, cruising to a commanding season-opening victory.

Calipari: “Plenty of Good, but Still Work to Do”

It was a solid, well-balanced showing for the Razorbacks on the stat sheet, but John Calipari made it clear he expects sharper execution as tougher competition looms. Arkansas shot 37 of 73 (50.7%) from the field and 10 of 28 (36%) from three-point range. Southern countered with 27 of 69 (39.1%) overall and an impressive 12 of 27 (44.4%) from beyond the arc. The Razorbacks outrebounded the Jaguars 45–37, dominated fast-break points 32–12, and forced 10 steals compared to Southern’s 3.

Calipari said afterward that there was “a lot of good that came from this game,” but emphasized that “there’s a lot we still have to teach.” He noted that defensive lapses remain an area of focus, explaining, “You can’t revert back to summer basketball defensively, playing on the side, not helping, not rebounding. That’s how a 15-point game becomes a three-point game, and you lose.”

He also credited Southern, calling them “a seasoned and disciplined team expected to win their league again.” Calipari added, “For a while we were doing some really good stuff. Then we just kind of let go of the rope. But 23 assists and only nine turnovers in a fast game like that? Pretty good.”

Brazile Answers the Challenge

Trevon Brazile delivered one of the best performances of his career, posting 25 points and 11 rebounds for his 10th career double-double, all with Arkansas. He shot an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line, adding a steal, a block, and an assist in 28 minutes of play.

“The whole summer, the way we were scrimmaging, that’s just how I’ve been playing,” Brazile said. “For us to be successful, I have to keep playing that way. I’m just doing my job.”

At SEC Media Days, head coach John Calipari had challenged Brazile to become a “nightly double-double” player — and on Monday, he delivered. “He bent his legs today,” Calipari said with a smile. “He can get 10 points a game at the foul line; he just has to know, ‘I’m making these.’ And he did. I’m proud of him.”

Hogs’ Young Guns Step Up

Meleek Thomas carried over his hot hand from the preseason, scoring 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-10 from deep and 3-of-4 from the line. He added 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and a game-high 3 steals. Four of his six rebounds came on the offensive glass.

Darius Acuff, who etched his name into Razorback history, closed the game with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while adding 4 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal, and a block.

Freshman Isaiah Sealy also contributed, scoring 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting (including a perfect 6-for-6 from the line) with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 17 minutes.

Next Stop: Michigan State

Arkansas now turns its attention to a major early test. The Razorbacks travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to face the No. 22 Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST, with national broadcast coverage on FOX.