Coach John Calipari enters his second season at No. 14 Arkansas with a reloaded roster featuring highly-touted freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, setting the stage for high expectations as they prepare to open against Southern.
The anticipation is palpable in Fayetteville, Ark. as the No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks gear up for their season opener against Southern. Under the guidance of coach John Calipari, who is now in his second year with the program, expectations are soaring after a remarkable run to the Sweet Sixteen and the acquisition of elite talent.
Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching the impact of two potential one-and-done freshmen, Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. These two standout talents are part of a select group of five McDonald’s All-Americans who chose to play in the SEC this season, signaling a significant shift in the conference’s landscape. The Razorbacks themselves were picked to finish fifth in the SEC preseason media poll, a testament to their projected strength in a fiercely competitive league, as reported by SEC Sports.
A Refreshed Roster and Offensive Firepower
Acuff, a dynamic point guard, and Thomas, a versatile wing, are primed to make an immediate impact. Their arrival is critical for an Arkansas squad that lost its top three scorers, including National Player of the Year candidate Boogie Fland, from a 22-14 team that pulled off upsets against Kansas and St. John’s in the NCAA Tournament last season before a tough overtime loss to Texas Tech.
The offensive load will also be shared by returning wings D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox. Both players were recognized for their talent, with sophomore Knox and junior Wagner named to the preseason All-SEC third team in the media poll. Wagner, a 2023 McDonald’s All-American himself, averaged 11.2 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the floor in his last season. Coach Calipari has explicitly stated his desire for Wagner to embrace a more aggressive offensive role, believing it will unlock his best version.
Acuff steps into a lineage of elite point guards nurtured by Calipari throughout his distinguished coaching career at Kentucky and Memphis. This impressive list includes NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Derrick Rose, and John Wall, underscoring the high hopes for Acuff’s development and impact on the team, a testament to Calipari’s track record with point guard talent, a common discussion point among fans on forums like 247Sports.
Calipari’s Emphatic Call for Interior Dominance
Beyond offensive firepower, Calipari is prioritizing an improved interior presence and rebounding. The Razorbacks were ranked 12th in the SEC and 213th in Division I in rebounding margin last year, a statistic the coaching staff is determined to rectify. “You have to have a post presence or your team’s a fraud,” Calipari asserted, emphasizing his philosophy. “We should be a terrific rebounding team, both on defense and offense.”
To bolster their frontcourt, Arkansas welcomes two 6-foot-10 senior transfers: Malique Ewin from Florida State and Nick Pringle from South Carolina. They will join 6-foot-10 returnee Trevon Brazile to form a formidable presence in the paint. In an 89-61 exhibition victory over Cincinnati on October 24, Wagner, Acuff, Knox, Brazile, and Pringle all started, showcasing the team’s potential lineup. Freshman Meleek Thomas also impressed off the bench with team highs of 18 points, seven rebounds, and 27 minutes.
Scouting the Southern Jaguars
The season opener presents an immediate challenge in Southern, a team that finished last season with a 20-12 record. The Jaguars were projected to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in a poll of league coaches and sports information directors, as detailed by the SWAC. They won the SWAC regular-season title with a 15-3 record last year but were upset by Grambling in overtime during the first round of the conference tournament.
Southern coach Kevin Johnson returns key players, including senior guard Michael Jacobs, who was the team’s only double-digit scorer (11.3 ppg) last season while serving as the sixth man and was named to the SWAC’s preseason first team. Guards Joe Manning (6.4 ppg) and Andre Nunley (2.9 ppg) are the only other returning starters. Manning (41.3 percent) and Cam Amboree (35.0 percent) pose significant 3-point threats for a Jaguars team that boasted a strong defense last year, allowing only 68.3 points per game (61st in Division I) and limiting opponents to 42 percent shooting from the field.
“It’s good to have him back,” said Johnson of Jacobs, adding, “To return those guys as a core, I felt good about adding some pieces to keep this at a high level.” The Jaguars are no strangers to upsetting power conference teams, having secured road victories at UNLV and Mississippi State in 2023-24. Their challenging schedule this year also includes matchups against Marquette, Washington, Texas, Baylor, and Illinois, preparing them for tough competition early.
