Arkansas outlasts Mizzou in OT thriller despite absence of Darius Acuff
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Arkansas got 28 points from Meleek Thomas and survived countless Mizzou rallies for an 88-84 overtime victory on Saturday afternoon in Columbia that brought along with it a milestone achievement for head coach John Calipari.
The road escape act by No. 20 Arkansas in the regular-season finale for both teams was Calipari’s 900th career victory, so the Razorbacks earned some big-time momentum for next week’s SEC Tournament while also making some history for their legendary coach. Thomas shot 5 of 6 from 3-point territory to help make it all happen despite the Hogs being without freshman sensation and Wooden Award finalist Darius Acuff.
Arkansas’ leading scorer sat out Saturday’s game because of an ankle injury. ESPN insider Pete Thamel reported that Calipari wanted Acuff to get some needed rest before the SEC Tournament, with Calipari telling reporters recently that Acuff has been playing in some games despite wearing a walking boot on that nagging ankle throughout the regular season.
That means Arkansas, which finished the regular season at 23-8 overall and 13-5 in the SEC, accomplished both things on Saturday in hostile territory. It won the game and it gave its standout guard that needed rest before the thick of March Madness. Meanwhile, Mizzou dropped to 20-11 overall and 10-8 in the SEC, missing a great chance to boost its NCAA Tournament chances.
Arkansas basketball’s social media account celebrated Saturday’s thrilling victory and Calipari’s milestone achievement:
Thomas added 7 rebounds in the win, and the Razorbacks had 5 players score in double figures to help make up for the absence of Acuff.
Arkansas shot 50% from 3-point territory, which helped make up for the Hogs only going 14 of 22 from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Mark Mitchell led the Tigers with 32 points in 43 exhausting minutes, but it wasn’t enough to get Mizzou over the hump on Saturday.
With Arkansas and Mizzou now done for the regular season, their focus shifts to next week’s SEC Tournament, and here is how Kalshi sees the contenders heading into the tournament right now:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
