Acuff Sets SEC Record with 7th Freshman of the Week Honor; Gets 3rd Vitale Honor

February 16, 2026

FAYETTEVILLE – Darius Acuff Jr. averaged 29.5 points and 6.0 assists, while shooting 62.2% from the field and 57.1% from 3-point range, in wins at LSU and versus Auburn to earn a record-setting seventh SEC Freshman of the Week honor. Acuff was additionally named Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week for the third time this season.

He has won SEC Freshman of the Week honors seven of the last 10 times it has been awarded, including an SEC record five consecutive honors.

Acuff has scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games (including two 31-point games), while adding five-plus assists in six-straight games. He tied his best scoring output with 31 points versus Auburn and had his fourth-best scoring game with 28 points versus LSU.

In the 29-point win at LSU, Acuff scored 28 points with five assists. He scored 14 points in each half, going 7-of-10 from the field in the second half. Overall, he tied his career-high with 13 FG made (also accomplished the first time Arkansas faced LSU) while attempting a career-high 22 shots.

In the 13-point win over Auburn, Acuff tied his career high with 31 points, while adding seven assists with just one turnover. He posted career highs, going 7-of-10 (70%) from 3-point range (previous career-high for 3’s made was 4 accomplished 3 times). Overall, he shot an efficient 10-of-15 (67.7%) from the field.

Arkansas, up six at halftime, opened the second half with a 15-2 run. Acuff made three 3’s over the span and assisted on two of the other three baskets. He opened the half by throwing alley-oop passes to Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III for the team’s first four points. Then, after a Richmond basket, Acuff made 3’s on the Hogs’ next three possessions to cap the 15-2 run. For good measure, after Auburn scored to end the 15-2 run, Acuff assisted on a Malique Ewin basket, so of the Hog’s first 17 points of the second half, Acuff accounted for 15 with his three 3’s and three assists.

Acuff’s Record-Setting Seven SEC Freshman of the Week Honors:

Dec. 8 – Averaged 17.5 points, nine assists and five rebounds in wins over #6 Louisville and Fresno State.
Dec. 15 – Scored 20 points to go with eight assists, four rebounds and a block in the 93-86 win over #16 Texas Tech.
Dec. 22 – Averaged 25 points, 8.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in a win over Queens and a loss to #8 Houston.
Jan. 5 – Averaged 23 points and 5.0 assists in wins over James Madison and #19 Tennessee, also earning several national weekly awards.
Jan. 12 – Averaged 22.5 points and 5.0 assists in his first two SEC road games, at Ole Miss and at Auburn.
Jan. 26 – Averaged 24 points and 5.5 assists in leading Arkansas to wins over #15 Vanderbilt and LSU.
Feb. 16 – Averaged 29.5 points and 6.0 assists in wins at LSU and versus Auburn.

Arkansas returns to action on Wednesday (Feb. 18) at Alabama. Tipoff is set for 6 pm and the game will be televised on ESPN.

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