Arkansas

John Calipari’s first impressions on Arkansas basketball freshmen in summer practices

Published

9 months ago

July 14, 2025

Press Room

John Calipari’s first impressions on Arkansas basketball freshmen in summer practices

Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari is working with four new freshmen recruits.
Point guard Darius Acuff shows promise but needs to improve defensively and play at a faster pace.
Shooting guard Meleek Thomas needs to improve his shot selection efficiency.
Isaiah Sealy needs to improve his anticipation and read the play before catching the ball.

FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari is evolving with the changing ecosystem of college hoops, but the Arkansas basketball head coach can’t quit his reliance on ballyhooed first-year players.

The Razorbacks welcomed four freshmen to campus this summer. Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas were five-star pillars, while Isaiah Sealy and Lebanon’s Karim Rtail joined as development pieces to round out the 2025 signing class.

Calipari invited the local media to attend an open practice last week. Rtail did not participate due to an ongoing back injury, but the other three freshmen all showed why they were so highly-regarded coming out of high school.

Here’s a look at what Calipari has seen from his first-year players through summer workouts.

Darius Acuff

The point guard from Detroit was the crown jewel of Calipari’s latest recruiting class. His feel for the game was evident in last week’s practice.

Acuff looked calm in the pick-and-roll and operated with patience, dragging defenders away from the basket before throwing perfect lobs to big men like Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin. Acuff can also lull on-ball defenders with hesitation moves before driving past them and getting to the basket.

But according to Calipari, Acuff must improve defensively and play with a faster pace. His methodical approach can slice defenses, but Arkansas wants to run with three capable point guards in Acuff, D.J. Wagner and Billy Richmond.

Wagner was singing Acuff’s praises in a recent press conference. The duo must be a better backcourt fit this year than Fland and Wagner were in Calipari’s first season at Arkansas.

“(Acuff) can do everything,” Wagner said. “He can shoot, he plays with great pace, he plays physical, so it’s fun to play with him and against him every day. I feel like he’s making me better. He’s making all of us better.”

Meleek Thomas

Thomas’ ability to make highly-contested and difficult jump shots wowed college coaches and recruiting experts, but Calipari wants to see better efficiency.

“I’m stopping every time (Thomas) tries to take one because he’s going 1 for 5 and we can’t win like that,” Calipari said. “The other shots, he makes, so just take those, but they like to do their thing. So we’re teaching.”

The head coach wants Thomas, a shooting guard, dribbling less during the summer practices while still staying involved with the offense. Calipari envisions him shooting floaters, coming off screens into mid-range jumpers and pulling up for 3-pointers in transition. At the open practice, Thomas initiated some offense in 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 drills.

Arkansas wants to rein Thomas in while still capitalizing on his gifted offensive game.

“(Thomas) is a bucket-getter,” Calipari said. “And I’ll tell you what else he is – he’s a gym rat, and he lives in the gym, so he’s going to be fine.”

Isaiah Sealy

All three freshmen are still adjusting to the speed of college basketball. Calipari pointed out a specific avenue where Sealy must improve.

“Isaiah doesn’t play until he catches, so he’s behind the action instead of, ‘I’m seeing, so when I catch it I read and I see what’s there in front of me,’” Calipari said. “He catches and then tries to read, but that’s typical of someone his age.”

But Sealy impressed with his reads during the open practice. He found open dunkers in the pick-and-roll and knew when to take it upon himself and drive to the basket. He also had one of the better looking 3-point shots on the roster.

The Springdale High School product was a four-star recruit who could quickly find a role with the Razorbacks.

Karim Rtail

Rtail has been dealing with an injured back and did not participate in the open practice. There is no timetable for his return, but Calipari expressed optimism he could accomplish the necessary conditioning to get on the practice floor when the Hogs begin practices in September.

Calipari provided a brief scouting report on the Lebanese forward from his limited action this summer.

“He is a perimeter three man,” he said. “Could he place him four? Yes, but he’s not that physical. Shoots it pretty good.”

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Arkansas

What John Calipari said about Dairus Acuff after Arkansas basketball’s Sweet 16 exit

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

What John Calipari said about Dairus Acuff after Arkansas basketball’s Sweet 16 exit

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A humbling loss to Arizona means Darius Acuff Jr.’s career with Arkansas basketball is likely over.

Acuff is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He scored a game-high 28 points as the No. 4 Razorbacks (28-9) fell to the No. 1 Wildcats (35-2) 109-88 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 26.

After the loss, John Calipari reflected on Acuff’s historic season. The Hall of Fame coach will remember the Detroit native’s fierce spirit while hunting victories.

“(Acuff) was the ultimate competitor. He had a will to win and would make baskets because he wasn’t afraid to miss late in games,” Calipari said. “He and Meleek (Thomas) and the other guys, they set the stage for growth. You’re going to have an opportunity to get better, but it’s hard. The league is hard. You’ve got to be a gym rat if you really want to do this. Those guys proved it. I had a ball coaching them.”

Acuff became just the third person to win the SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards handed out by both the coaches and media, joining Anthony Davis (2012) and Brandon Miller (2023). He became the league’s first player since Pete Maravich to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists.

His final season-long stats were 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game. He shot 48.4% from the field and 44% on 3-pointers.

Acuff was short on words in his final press conference with the Hogs, but he didn’t bring up his individual accolades when asked what he will remember the most from a dynamic collegiate season.

“Brotherhood, for sure,” Acuff said. “With the team, great support from the fans. I don’t know, a lot of good stuff. It was a great year, for sure.”

Arkansas fans won’t soon forget his dominance.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Arkansas

What channel is Arkansas basketball vs Arizona on today? March Madness game time, TV, streaming

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

What channel is Arkansas basketball vs Arizona on today? March Madness game time, TV, streaming

Darius Acuff Jr. and the fourth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks will face Brayden Burries and the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats as the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament continues with the Sweet 16 Thursday in San Jose, California.

The Razorbacks (28-8) reached the West Region semifinals by beating Hawaii and High Point. Meanwhile, the Wildcats (34-2) beat Long Island and Utah State.

Here’s how to watch the Razorbacks-Wildcats game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Watch March Madness live with Sling TV

What time is Arkansas vs Arizona today? When is NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game today?

Date: Thursday, March 26
Start time: 8:45 p.m. CT
Where: SAP Center in San Jose, California

What channel is Arkansas vs Arizona on today? How to watch, stream NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

TV: TBS/truTV
How to watch online: Sling (free trial)

Arkansas vs Arizona betting odds for March Madness Sweet 16 game

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, March 26:

Moneyline: ARI -375 | ARK +290
Spread: Arizona (-8.5)
Over/under: 165.5

All times CT

Print your own March Madness bracket for 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament

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Arkansas

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction, Odds, Best Prop Bet for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction, Odds, Best Prop Bet for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Arkansas Razorbacks parlayed an SEC Tournament Championship into two straight wins to start their NCAA Tournament run, getting past Hawaii and High Point in impressive fashion. Now, they’ll face their toughest challenge yet, a Sweet 16 showdown with the 1-seed Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona cruised past both Long Island University and Utah State in the first two rounds, and still has just two losses on its record all season. As you’d expect, they’re favored in this SEC vs. Big 12 showdown. Let’s take a look.

Arkansas vs. Arizona Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spread

Arkansas +7.5 (-110)
Arizona -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Arkansas +278
Arizona -355

Total

OVER 166.5 (-110)
UNDER 166.5 (-110)

Arkansas vs. Arizona How to Watch

Date: Thursday, March 6
Game Time: 9:45 pm ET
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose
How to Watch (TV): CBS
Arkansas Record: 28-8
Arizona Record: 34-2

Arkansas vs. Arizona Betting Trends

The OVER is 9-2 in Arkansas’ last 11 games
The OVER is 5-1 in Arkansas’ last six games vs. Big 12 opponents
Arkansas is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games as an underdog
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last five games
The OVER is 4-2 in Arizona’s last six games
Arizona is 5-1 ATS in its last six games vs. SEC opponents

Arkansas vs. Arizona Best Prop Bet

Brayden Burries OVER 17.5 Points (-106) via FanDuel

Brayden Burries has a chance to have a phenomenal performance on Thursday night. Arkansas may be a strong offensive team, but its defense leaves a lot to be desired. They rank 200th in the country in defensive efficiency and are allowing 80.3 points per game this season, which ranks 325th. If Burries brings his best stuff, the Razorbacks are going to be in trouble.

Arkansas vs. Arizona Prediction and Pick

Let’s try our best not to overreact to Arkansas being in the Sweet 16. They had a relatively easy path to win the SEC Championship, squeaking by both Oklahoma and Ole Miss by just three points before beating Vanderbilt in the final, completely avoiding the Florida Gators. Then, in the NCAA Tournament, they had the easiest path to the Sweet 16, getting to face a 13-seed and a 12-seed in the first two rounds.

The Arizona Wildcats are no joke and will be by far the Razorbacks’ biggest challenge. There’s a case to be made that Arizona is the best team in the country, and they have the interior defense to completely shut down the Arkansas offense. The Razorbacks rank 50th in the country in two-point shot rate. Now, they have to face an Arizona defense that ranks second in the country in opponent two-point field goal percentage, keeping teams to shooting just 43.7% from two-point range.

Arizona also mainly shoots two-point shots, ranking third in two-point shot rate, and now they get to face an Arkansas team that ranks 278th in opponent two-point field goal percentage, allowing teams to shoot 54% from two-point range.

This is a nightmare matchup for Arkansas.

Pick: Arizona -7.5 (-110)

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