COLUMBIA, Mo. — Arkansas men’s basketball point guard Darius Acuff will miss the Razorbacks’ regular-season finale against Missouri on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mizzou Arena, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein had previously indicated that Acuff was doubtful for the game.
Before the Razorbacks’ recent double-overtime loss to Alabama, in which Acuff scored an impressive 49 points, he was seen in a walking boot. While the details surrounding his injury remain undisclosed, his remarkable performance against Alabama only highlights his immense talent.
Acuff, a standout 6-foot-3 freshman, leads the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with averages of 22.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. His exceptional play has put him in contention for the SEC Freshman of the Year award, as well as for SEC Player of the Year honors.
In their previous matchup on February 21, the Razorbacks triumphed over the Tigers with a score of 94-86, during which Acuff contributed 20 points and 5 assists. Missouri coach Dennis Gates commended Acuff’s skills, likening him to NBA Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, stating, “This kid is like Chris Paul. That’s how good this kid is. He’s very talented.”
Additionally, Acuff is projected to be a highly sought-after one-and-done selection in the upcoming NBA Draft on June 25. Following a strong performance in a recent game, Texas coach Sean Miller praised Acuff, saying, “I have never seen a point guard better. ‘Greatness’ is how I would describe his game. … Guys like him don’t come into college basketball very often. He’s a generational player.”
As the Razorbacks look to navigate their upcoming challenges without Acuff, the excitement surrounding his potential and the impact he has made this season remains palpable among basketball fans and analysts alike.