Susan Altrui, the director of the Little Rock Zoo, has been named Little Rock’s acting city manager effective Sunday, Jan. 5, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
If you ask any honest Kentucky fan about John Calipari’s time as their head coach, they might have many negative things to say. But not one of them would argue about his recruiting abilities. Luckily, for Arkansas fans, it looks like he’s still got it.
On Friday, the No. 1 point guard in the 2025 class released his top-4 schools, including Arkansas.
Darius Acuff Jr. announced in an X post that Arkansas, UCONN, Kansas, and Michigan are still in play for his commitment. According to 247 Sports composite rankings, Acuff is a five-star prospect with a .9967 rating and the No. 8 player in the country. 247 itself is a little higher on Acuff, ranking him the nation’s fourth-best player in the 2025 class.
Adam Finkelstein, the director of scouting for 247 Sports, wrote this about the IMG Academy product:
“Acuff is the most dominant and dynamic lead guard in the class, who plays with outward confidence. He controls the offensive end of the floor with the ball in his hands and has a variety of versatile tools at his disposal. Firstly, he’s cut-up and powerful with long arms (a +4.5 inch wingspan). So, when he drops his body to attack, he can absorb contact without getting pushed off his line, whether that be in the open floor or half-court. That contributes to his ability to dictate his own pace and avoid getting sped up. He’s got a good early feel for how to play pick-and-roll, and loves to both change his angle right before reaching the screen and also split those defenders just when coming off. He’ll attack hard in the open floor and can really get downhill with his increasing power and sheer force.
“As Acuff has sculpted his frame, he’s simultaneously become more explosive and improved his first-step, but it’s often his second-move, or counter, that is especially lethal. He’s got a lot of different options when he goes through his legs mid-drive and has even become adept at adding a burst of speed, and accelerating, in the midst of his attack. Inside, the lane he has a full assortment of scoring options including crafty wrong-footed finishes, complete use of both hands at the rim, and good range on his runner. He is also a tough shot-maker and improving overall shooter who is equally dangerous off the catch or dribble, and doesn’t need much separation to get his shot off.
“Acuff is most effective when he’s making those around him better and asserting himself as efficiently as possible. He has good vision and is a talented passer, but like many young scoring lead guards, he can sometimes dominate the ball and settle for unnecessarily tough shots. Defensively, his physicality and competitiveness should be long-term assets, while he gradually seems to be getting a little looser in his hips.”
Landing Acuff isn’t a guarantee for Arkansas. On3 Sports has the Razorbacks with a 44.3 percent chance to land him, while Kansas still leads with a 51 percent chance.
The undefeated and top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers kick off SEC play at home with a Saturday afternoon matchup against the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks. The contest is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET with TV coverage on ESPN and streaming on-demand.
#23 Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2) at #1 Tennessee Volunteers (13-0)dd
NCAA men’s basketball matchup at a glance
When: Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Food City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
TV channel: ESPN
Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)
In a conference that claims seven of the top 17 teams in the most recent of Associated Press national rankings, Tennessee has risen to the top with its perfect start and ability to win on either end of the floor. The Vols rank No. 2 nationally in scoring defense (56.2 ppg), No. 2 in field goal percentage defense (34.7%) and No. 1 in 3-point defense (24.6%).
Arkansas ranks among the most efficient offenses in the country with the fourth-best field goal percentage (51.5%) and 14th-best effective field goal percent (58.3%). The Razorbacks wrapped a competitive non-conference schedule with an 11-2 record, but moved into a January schedule that begins with three straight games against ranked opponents.
Tennessee Vols vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: Know your live streaming options
The Vols and Razorbacks are set for a 1 p.m. ET start on ESPN. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).
January 3, 2025 at 7:49 p.m.
Joseph Flaherty
Susan Altrui, the director of the Little Rock Zoo, has been named Little Rock’s acting city manager effective Sunday, Jan. 5, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
Arkansas quarterback signee Madden Iamaleava and receiver signee Jace Brown will make their official visits to Fayetteville this weekend.
Both flipped their commitments from UCLA on the Dec. 4 signing day.
Iamaleava, 6-3 and 200 pounds, of Long Beach Poly High School in California is rated a 4-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.
He also had offers from Tennessee, Oregon, SMU, Ole Miss, Washington and others.
Iamaleava the brother of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, is rated the No. 13 pocket-passer quarterback and No. 143 overall recruit by ESPN.
Brown, 6-4 and 200-pounds, of Long Beach Poly High School in California had offers from Notre Dame, Arizona, Minnesota, UNLV, Utah and others.
He is a consensus 3-star recruit. Brown and Iamaleava plan to enroll at Arkansas in January. Neither signee has visited Fayetteville as recruits prior to signing with the team.
Iamaleava visited Fayetteville to watch his brother and the Volunteers take on Arkansas on Oct. 5.
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