It wasn't easy for Arkansas to get this far, but the Hogs are playing for the SEC Tournament title after winning another three-point game.
The Arkansas Razorbacks have not been at their best in the 2026 SEC Basketball Tournament. However, they are one of only two teams left standing on Selection Sunday. It's Arkansas versus Vanderbilt for the SEC Tournament trophy after the Hogs escaped an overtime semifinal against Ole Miss with a 93-90 win.
The math has been scary but simple for Arkansas this weekend in Nashville. The Razorbacks have scored a pair of three-point wins, first over bubble-hugging Oklahoma and then against 15th-seeded Ole Miss. UA has played two teams which will not compete in the NCAA Tournament and barely scraped by, but Arkansas has still advanced in the bracket and still has some hardware to play for. It beats losing.
Arkansas allowed Ole Miss to shoot 50 percent from the field in this game, a very poor outing given that Ole Miss was playing a fourth game in four days and should have been susceptible to leg fatigue, which often translates into a lot of missed shots. Fatigue didn't really get to Ole Miss in this game. Arkansas allowed the Rebels to hang around and could not deliver a knockout punch at any point in the proceedings.
What saved the day for Arkansas: rebounding and free throws.
The Razorbacks were plus-13 on the glass (44-31) and plus-12 (23-11) in points scored at the charity stripe. That compensated for the lack of defense and a rare game in which Darius Acuff (7 of 21 from the field) did not shoot efficiently.
What also compensated for Arkansas' deficiencies in this game: Malique Ewin. Arkansas' super reserve contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds to the cause. The Razorbacks would not have won without each and every contribution Ewin made.
Meleek Thomas also stepped up in a big way for this team. You will remember that one week ago, with Acuff out of the lineup entirely, Thomas scored 28 points to help Arkansas beat Missouri in overtime. Against Ole Miss, Thomas was once again ready to save the Hogs with 29 points on efficient (9 of 15) shooting. Thomas is establishing himself as the X-factor for this team with March Madness just a few days away.
Not to be ignored, Trevon Brazile produced 16 points and 10 rebounds in a blue-collar effort which helped Arkansas accumulate possessions and keep pace with the Rebels in a game which was far too close for comfort.
The problem for Arkansas going into the Vanderbilt SEC final is that Darius Acuff has played major minutes. He logged 40 against Ole Miss. The hope is that the UA supporting cast can play as well against Vandy as it has over the past week, with Arkansas winning two overtime games (Mizzou, Ole Miss) and three games by margins of under five points.