Darius Acuff Jr. explains Arkansas’ mindset for Texas game after loss at Florida
By David Wasson
Published:
The Arkansas Razorbacks absorbed a crushing 34-point road loss last weekend in Gainesville to the then-No. 7 Florida Gators – a 111-77 setback that easily could have derailed the Hogs for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
But instead of folding, John Calipari’s team rebounded in a huge way by thumping Texas 105-85 on Wednesday night to clinch a double bye in next week’s SEC Tournament in Nashville. Not surprisingly, Naismith Player of the Year candidate Darius Acuff Jr. was the star against the Longhorns, piling up 28 points and 13 assists.
“That was the whole mindset coming in, just to be a different team,” Acuff said to the ESPN telecast after the game. “That Florida game, that wasn’t our team. We wanted to come back and play hard and get better on defense. … We all have great chemistry, and everyone is together. That’s what makes us great.”
Acuff became the first player in Arkansas history to record at least 25 points and 10 assists in a single game – with 19 points and eight assists by halftime as the Razorbacks took a 22-point lead into intermission on Senior Night.
Trevon Brazile also scored 28 points to pace the Razorbacks, who scored their most points against Texas since the Southwest Conference championship game in 1991, the year before Arkansas joined the SEC. The 105 points also tied for the third-most against the Longhorns in the 158-game series history.
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An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
