In what figured to be a physically challenging game, Arkansas' offense was able to deliver once again
On paper, Arkansas is a much better team than Missouri, but Saturday's game in Bud Walton Arena figured to be tricky for a very obvious reason: Arkansas was tired. Darius Acuff had to play 50 minutes against Alabama. Other Arkansas teammates had to play extended minutes as well.
Saturday, Arkansas needed to steal minutes for Acuff, but not too many. John Calipari still needed Acuff for 35 minutes. He needed Billy Richmond for 35 and Meleek Thomas for 37. Guys had to dig deep after a draining double-overtime road loss and find enough energy to get the job done. This was a "sneakier than it looked" game, and Arkansas passed the test.
The Hogs have been so good at home this season not just because the crowd at Bud Walton is great, but because UA feels so comfortable on offense at home. The Razorbacks have relentlessly shot above 50 percent from the field in home games this season. They don't make a ton of mistakes. They get to the free throw line. They replicate high-level offensive performances very consistently.
Saturday, the familiar set of numbers emerged once again: 52 percent field goals, 22-25 free throws, only 5 turnovers. Arkansas has been able to shoot well, not give up the ball, and earn foul shots on a steady basis in 2025-2026 home games. It's arguably the most dependable characteristic of this team. Five players scored at least 12 points. Acuff got to the foul line 13 times and made 11. Given that Arkansas won by eight -- 94-86 -- that fact is particularly important.
Concerned about Arkansas' defense? That's fair. Missouri made 55 percent of its field goals and earned 23 foul shots in its own right. However, with UA being tired after the Alabama game, this is not the test case to use as proof of the Hogs' defensive limitations. This is a game in which merely getting the result is very impressive and important. The Arkansas home game offensive magic continues.
ELSEWHERE IN THE SEC ON SATURDAY
Florida won at Ole Miss, so the Razorbacks -- who play at Florida one week from now on February 28 -- remain two games behind the Gators in the SEC standings. Tennessee and Alabama scored road wins on Saturday. The Vols won at Vanderbilt while the Crimson Tide won at LSU. Arkansas is tied with Tennessee and Alabama for second place in the SEC. All three teams are in great position to get double-byes into the quarterfinals of the upcoming SEC Tournament. The main priority for the Hogs will be to avoid being the No. 4 seed so that they can avoid Florida in the semifinals.