No. 21 Arkansas cruises past Mississippi State, 88-68, behind Acuff's 24 points

Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. and forward Trevon Brazile led the No. 21-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks to a decisive 88-68 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Tuesday night to solidify their standing in the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks secured the win behind an explosive offensive performance, aiming to maintain their momentum in the national rankings and bounce back from recent competitive stretches in conference play. Arkansas dominated the flow of the game, largely thanks to Acuff’s standout performance, as the young guard shot efficiently to rack up a game-high 24 points. Complementing the backcourt scoring, Trevon Brazile contributed 19 points and provided a veteran presence in the paint, helping the Razorbacks establish a lead that Mississippi State struggled to close throughout the second half. The team’s cohesive play on both ends of the floor allowed them to outpace a physical Bulldogs squad that failed to find an answer for the Razorbacks' perimeter shooting and fast-break opportunities. With this victory, Arkansas moves further up the SEC standings, demonstrating the depth and scoring versatility that has made them a Top 25 fixture this season. For Mississippi State, the loss highlights defensive vulnerabilities that will need to be addressed as they continue their road campaign. The Razorbacks now look ahead to their next conference matchup, while Coach John Calipari's squad continues to integrate high-scoring freshmen like Acuff into a system that relies on high-tempo offensive execution.