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Preview – Arkansas Plays No. 1/1 South Carolina for Last Regular Season Home Game

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Preview – Arkansas Plays No. 1/1 South Carolina for Last Regular Season Home Game


FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas women’s basketball team (18-11, 6-8 SEC) will host No. 1/1 South Carolina (27-0, 14-0 SEC) on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Leap Day game will be broadcast on SEC Network at Bud Walton Arena and will serve as the Hogs’ final regular season home game.

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GAME INFORMATION

Date: Thursday, Feb. 29
Time: 8 p.m.
Opponent: No. 1/1 South Carolina
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Promotions: Student Point Game and Razorback dance team performance
Tickets: HERE
Watch: SECN
Listen: Razorback Sports Network from Learfield
Arkansas Game Notes
South Carolina Game Notes
Live Stats 

STORYLINES

  • The Arkansas women’s basketball team will welcome the No. 1 team in the country in South Carolina on Thursday night
  • Arkansas is looking to get win No. 19, seventh in SEC
  • The Gamecocks come into Bud Walton Arena with an unblemished 27-0 record, 14-0 in SEC
  • Arkansas has never defeated a No. 1 team in the country. The program is 0-21 against teams who are ranked No. 1 in the country at the time of facing the Razorbacks
  • Arkansas’ highest ranked win in program history was against LSU in 2003, which resulted in an 82-72 win for the Hogs at home
  • Thursday’s game will mark the last ever regular season game for Makayla Daniels at Bud Walton Arena. She has played 75 games at BWA during her career
  • Taliah Scott leads the Hogs in scoring with 22.1 points per game, and is the only player in the SEC to average 20.0+ points per game
  • Saylor Poffenbarger is one of the top defensive rebounders in the country. She leads the SEC in defensive rebounds/game (9.9) and is second in rebounds/game (11.8), which are second and fifth in the NCAA. She holds the single-season defensive rebound record with 276 this season. Her 53 3-pointers leads the team
  • Samara Spencer leads the team with 104 assists. Her 354 career assists is No. 11 on the career list and her 1,322 points is No. 18 on the all-time scoring list
  • Maryam Dauda has made a big jump this season, pacing the team with 68 blocks, which is third in the league (2.3 per game), and her 2.8 blocks per game in SEC contests paces the league. She is No. 4 on the individual season block list at Arkansas
  • Makayla Daniels is an elite defender and leads the team with 48 steals. She is the highest scoring point guard in school history with 1,811 points, making her a top five scorer in school history, while holding a program’s most starts and games played records with 151, as well as career minutes (4,447). Daniels was selected on the All-SEC Preseason Second Team, as chosen by the league’s coaches
  • The Hogs lead the league in 3-pointers per game (91), which is 12th in the NCAA, 3-point attempts per game (29.7), a number that is fourth in the country, as well as turnovers per game (12.7), 21st in the country

SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA

  • SC is 27-0 and 14-0 in the SEC heading into Thursday
  • In the SEC Preseason Polls, SC was chosen to finish second by both the media and coaches
  • Kamilla Cardoso was tabbed to the All-SEC Preseason First Team by the media and coaches. Last season, she was named the SEC Sixth Woman of the Year, having averaged 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with 70 blocks in just 18 minutes per game
  • Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao was chosen to the SEC Preseason Second Team. She was named to the All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention last season and a two-time All-Pac12 First Team recipient. Last season, she averaged 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for the Ducks
  • SC is one of the deepest teams in the NCAA this season with nine players averaging 5.0+ points per game and seven with 8.0+ points per game
  • Cardoso paces the team with 14.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game
  • Raven Johnson has a team’s most 128 assists and 56 steals
  • Ashlyn Watkins has swatted a team’s most 70 shots
  • Paopao has a team’s most 64 made 3-pointers for an impressive 48.9 percentage from beyond the arc. She also averages 11.5 points per game
  • MiLaysia Fulwiley and Bree Hall also average double digits in scoring with 11.3 and 10.1 points per game, a piece
  • SC leads the leagues in scoring defense (54.07), scoring margin (+32.89), field goal percentage (.505), field goal percentage defense (.311), 3-point field goal percentage (.405), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.265), blocked shots (8.52), assists (19.07), assist/turnover ratio (1.44) and defensive rebounds/game (32.59)
  • Dawn Staley is in her 16th season at the helm, where she has helped South Carolina battle for SEC and national championships each season. She has led the Gamecocks to two National Championships (2017 and 2022), five NCAA Final Fours in the last eight tournaments, ranking in the AP top 25 every week since Dec. 10, 2012, six 30-win season with a program-record 36 in 2022-23, among other accomplishments

 

HISTORY AGAINST THE GAMECOCKS

  • Arkansas trails South Carolina in the all-time series, 26-18
  • The Hogs and Gamecocks will meet for the 45th time of the all-time series on Thursday
  • In games played in Fayetteville, Arkansas has a 10-9 advantage
  • Head coach Mike Neighbors is 1-10 against SC
  • SC has an eight-game winning streak against Arkansas. The last time Arkansas defeated the Gamecocks was in a 95-89 upset at the SEC Tournament in 2019. Arkansas hasn’t beaten SC in a regular season game since 2012 (W, 68-47 in Fayetteville), marking a 14-game regular season losing skid
  • Arkansas faced off against SC twice last season, while having to draw the Gamecocks in the SEC Tournament four times in the past five years. In the first meeting in Columbia, Arkansas fell, 92-46. Spencer led the Hogs with 15 points. In the second meeting in the SEC Tournament, SC won 93-66. Poffenbarger went off for 22 points and four assists, Spencer had 16 points and Daniels registered 12 points

 LAST TIME OUT

  • Arkansas fell to Vanderbilt, 62-53, as Arkansas scored a season low point total
  • Spencer led the game with 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals
  • Carly Keats delivered 13 points off the bench, while adding one rebound and one steal
  • Karley Johnson logged seven points, three rebounds and one steal
  • Poffenbarger finished with four points, including a 3/4 court shot and 12 rebounds, breaking the single-season defensive rebound record Sunday
  • Daniels was honored for her Senior Day, Pack for Mak

UPCOMING

Arkansas will head to Oxford, Mississippi to face Ole Miss on Sunday, March 3 for a 3 p.m. tipoff at SJB Pavilion. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network. 

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Arkansas Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @RazorbackWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RazorbackWBB. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, “Kickin’ It In The Neighborhood” for an inside look at the Razorback women’s basketball program and check out The Neighborhood podcasts at CoachNeighbors.com.

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Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports





Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports







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Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights

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Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.

Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.

“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”

The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.

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“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.

With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.

“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”

“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”

Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.

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About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.

About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.



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Razorbacks’ Guard Darius Acuff Selected No. Overall in 2026 NBA Draft

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Razorbacks’ Guard Darius Acuff Selected No.  Overall in 2026 NBA Draft


BROOKLYN — Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff is the first of three Razorbacks off the board in the 2026 NBA Draft Tuesday night when he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round.

Acuff’s selection makes him the highest drafted player from Arkansas since 2023 when Anthony Black went No. 6 overall to the Orlando Magic.

He went into the night projected to be the first player from the Hogs taken following a phenomenal freshman year that saw him earn first team All-American honors, SEC Player of the Year, league freshman of the year, and SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

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Likely his biggest accomplishment was becoming the first player to lead the SEC in points and assists since Pete Maravich in 1970.

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Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

As a freshman, Acuff averaged over 24 points, six assists and three rebounds on 48% shooting from the field, 44% from three and 81% from free throw line.

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His knack as a bucket getter and facilitator lifted the Razorbacks to a different level in the postseason by averaging an astonishing 30 points, seven assists and one steal across six postseason tournament games.

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He led Arkansas to a victory over Vanderbilt for the SEC Tournament Championship and back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.

Arguably his best performance of the season came in a double-overtime classic in Tuscaloosa against Alabama when he dropped 49 points on 16-of-27 from the floor, 6-of-10 from three and 11-of-12 from the free throw line. He also contributed with five rebounds, five assists and only one turnover in 50 minutes.

And don’t forget, the 6-foot-2, 186 pound point guard did all of that on a bum ankle he sustained against Aubrn just four days prior.

During a media appearance on ESPN last week, Calipari made sure to warn NBA teams they will regret passing on superstar point guard.

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“A great teammate. We all hear stuff. I’m around these kids, all they want to do is get better. They want to respect who’s coaching them,” Calipari told Colin Cowherd on The Herd. “And Darius Acuff, I’m telling you, there’s going to be some guys regretting [not picking him.]

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Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari talks with guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) during a time out against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

“That’s okay. That’s okay. When he starts playing, you’ll remember this conversation, and we’re saying, ‘You’re going to regret not taking him.’”

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Acuff is the latest in a growing list of coach John Calipari guards to be selected as lottery picks across his four decades in the college game. Former Kentucky stars Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, John Wall, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Knight.

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During his time at Memphis, Calipari helped Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and Dajuan Wagner were each lotter picks from 2000-2009.

The 2026 NBA Draft will continue with its second round Wednesday night at 7 p.m. CT from the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

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Coach Cal Reaction

There haven’t been many times over the years that Calipari has missed out on watching one of his stars stroll across the stage to shake hands with the NBA Commissioner.

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The second-year Razorbacks coach told the world Tuesday night that the Kings will be getting a “fierce competitor and winner” in Acuff.

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Being drafted by Sacramento shouldn’t come as a surprise either as most mock drafts pegged him at No. 7 overall since the beginning of the college basketball offseason. With so many connections to the franchise, the Kings’ organization might be the perfect fit after all as General manager Scott Perry coached his father two decades ago at Eastern Kentucky.

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