FAYETTEVILLE – Trevon Brazile got off to a hot start, scoring 12 of the Razorback’s first 19 points, and freshman Darius Acuff Jr. recorded a double-double, while scoring nine of the Hogs’ last 15, to lead #25 Arkansas to an 89-80 victory over #6 Louisville Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena in the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge.

Arkansas improves to 3-0 in the ACC/SEC Challenge with a home win over then #7 Duke in 2023 and a road win at Miami (Fla.) last season.

The Razorbacks, which never trailed, were up 18 at the break, but Louisville got hot from 3-point range and trimmed its deficit to five on three occasions in the second half – the last coming 81-76 with 2:48 left. Brazile answered with an alley-oop dunk. Then, Acuff made a layup and Malique Ewin hit two free throws for a 6-0 run to put the Hogs up 11 and seal the win.

Overall, Arkansas had five players score in double figures and made 27-of-35 free throws, compared to 14-of-18 shooting at the line by Louisville. Arkansas also out-rebounded Louisville, 46-35, despite the Cardinals’ coming into the game ranking fifth in the NCAA in rebounds (46.0) and 15th in rebound margin (+12.7).

Another storyline in favor of the Razorbacks, Louisville entered the game second in the NCAA in 3-pointers made per game (13.1), but the Razorbacks kept the Cards to just 8-of-37 shooting from deep.

Brazile finished with 21 points (17 in the first half) and five rebounds and Acuff had 17 points (11 in the second half) and 10 assists. Meleek Thomas also scored 17 points. Malique Ewin added 12 points (6-of-8 FT) and nine rebounds – seven offensive – while Billy Richmond III scored 10 points.

Louisville was led by Mikel Brown Jr. with 22 points (16 in the second half). Ryan Conwell added 15 points, Sananda Fru scored 14 and Isaac McKinney scored 11.

Up next, Arkansas makes its annual trip to North Little Rock and will face Fresno State on Saturday (Dec. 6). Tipoff at Simmons Bank Arena is set for 3 pm.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 47 – LOU: 29

• The 18-point halftime lead was the fourth-largest by Arkansas in its 299 games versus an AP top 25 opponent and second-largest over an AP to p10 team. (HogStats)
• Arkansas lost the tip but forced a turnover and scored the first six points of the game. In fact, Arkansas held a lead the whole first half.
• Trevon Brazile scored 12 of the Razorbacks’ first 19 points.
• Louisville entered the game second the NCAA in 3-pointers made (13.1 per game) but was just 3-of-20 from deep in the first half. Arkansas was 5-of-11 thanks to Brazile going 3-of-4.
• Brazile was 6-of-7 overall from the floor and scored 17 points.
• Darius Acuff Jr. had six first-half assists. He entered the game with a season-high of six.
• Meleek Thomas was 8-of-9 at the line and scored 11 points. Overall, Arkansas was 14-of-18 at the line. Louisville was just 2-of-5.
• Louisville did not have a player score in double figures.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 42 – LOU: 51

• After Arkansas extended its lead to 20 (54-34 with 17:30 left), Louisville started chipping away at its deficit. Ultimately, Louisville used a 20-8 run to get to within six (62-56) with 10:51 left.
• Malique Ewin ended the run with a tip-in and Meleek Thomas added a second-chance jumper to give Arkansas a 10-point cushion.
• The Cardinals got to within five twice – 66-61 with 8:39 left and 68-63 with 8:04 left.
• Arkansas once pushed its lead to 10 once again (79-69) after an old-fashion, 3-point play by Acuff with 4:45 left.
• An Isaac McNeely 3-pointer with 2:48 allowed Louisville to trim its deficit to five a third time – 81-76 with 2:48 left – before Arkansas’s 6-0 run to seal the win.
• Louisville was 12-of-13 at the free throw line in the second half and shot 50% from the field despite going 5-of-17 (29.4%) from 3-point range.
• Arkansas was just 1-of-7 from deep in the second half.

NOTES:

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle.
• Trevon Brazile scored the game’s first points with two free throws at 19:33.
• Arkansas’s first subs were Meleek Thomas, Malique Ewin and Billy Richmond III.
• With the win tonight, Arkansas took a one-game advantage (5-4) in the nine-game, all-time series.
• Coach Calipari is now 20-8 all-time versus Louisville.
• Darius Acuff Jr. is the ONLY freshman since 1991-92 to get 10 assists versus an AP top 25 team. Overall, he is just the Razorback overall to have 10 assists versus an AP top 25 team. The other two were Courtney Fortson (10 pts and 10 assists) versus #4 Oklahoma (12/30/08) and Kareem Reid (10 pts and 10 assists) versus #8 Memphis (1/18/96). (HogStats)
• Arkansas improves to 7-4 all-time when ranked #25 in the AP poll. The last time the Hogs won when ranked #25 was a 69-57 decision over Ole Miss (1/21/23) in Bud Walton Arena.
• Arkansas improves to 8-12 all-time when playing AP #6. The last time Arkansas defeated a team ranked #6 was Kentucky, 75-73, on 2/26/22) in Bud Walton Arena.
• Coach Cal improves to 5-5 all-time when his teams are ranked #25 and improves to 6-6 all-time when
• Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas are the only Razorbacks to score in double figures in all eight games and they are the only Hogs to make a 3-pointer in all eight games.
• There are only four Razorback freshmen to score 10+ points in each of their first 8+ games in the freshman eligible era which began in 1972-73. The leaders are 13 – Isaiah Joe 2018-19; 10 – Moses Moody 2020-21; 8 – Darius Acuff Jr. 2025-26 and 8 – Meleek Thomas 2025-26. (HogStats)
• Coach Calipari picked up win #883 making him 17 shy of 900 for his career.

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

No. 6 Louisville Cardinals (7-0, 0-0 ACC) at No. 25 Arkansas Razorbacks (5-2, 0-0 ACC)

– Tipoff: Wednesday, December 3 at 7:15 p.m. EST
– Location: Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.
– How To Watch: ESPN
– How To Listen: 93.9 FM
– Betting Favorite: Louisville -3.0
– All-Time Series: Tied 4-4
– Last Meeting: Arkansas won 80-54 on Nov. 21, 2022 (Maui Invitational)

Projected Starting Lineups

Louisville

• G Mikel Brown Jr. (6-5, 190, Fr.)
• G Isaac McKneely (6-4, 195, Sr.)
• G Ryan Conwell (6-4, 215, Sr.)
• F J’Vonne Hadley (6-7, 210, 6th)
• F/C Sananda Fru (6-11, 245, Jr.)

Arkansas

• G Darius Acuff Jr. (6-3, Fr., 190)
• G D.J. Wagner (6-4, 190, Jr.)
• F Karter Knox (6-6, 220, So.)
• F Nick Pringle (6-10, 230, Gr.)
• Trevon Brazile (6-10, 230, Sr.)

Comparison

See how the Cardinals stack up against the Razorbacks, and who the statistical models favor: Tale of The Tape, Predictions: Louisville vs. Arkansas

Game Notes

Louisville

• Louisville will face Cardinal Forever, national champion and former head coach of the Cardinals Kenny Payne, who is an assistant for the Razorbacks.
• Louisville netted 20 3-pointers against NJIT on Nov. 26, the second-most made 3’s in a single game in program history. It’s just the second time ever the Cardinals have made at least 20 3’s in a game. UofL is the third team in DI this season to make at least 20 3-pointers against another DI team.
• Louisville’s back-to-back 40-point wins (87-46 over Eastern Michigan & 104-47 over NJIT) is the program’s first set of backto-back 40-point victories since 2012-13.
• Senior guard Ryan Conwell is the only DI men’s basketball player since at least 2010-11 to log at least 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 24 minutes or less, according to Sports Reference.
• Louisville has had two games of at least 24 assists, the first time since 2010-11 that the program has had multiple games of 24+ assists; the Cardinals had five games of at 24+ assists that season.
• Louisville’s positive 38 rebounding margin against NJIT on Nov. 26 was the third-largest rebounding margin by any team against a DI opponent this season, and the largest rebounding margin in program history.
• Louisville is 34-0 under Kelsey when leading with five minutes to play.
• With two 50-point victories on the season (104-45 vs. South Carolina State & 104-47 vs. NJIT), it marks the first time Louisville has had two 50-point victories in one season since 2004-05.
• A pair of Cardinals represent Louisville on the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List, Oscar Robertson Trophy Preseason Watch List and the Wooden Award Preseason Watch List; both Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. were named to the esteemed lists.
• Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. was named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Preseason Watch List while senior guard Ryan Conwell was named the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Preseason Watch List.
• Head coach Pat Kelsey is the reigning ACC Coach of the Year – he is one of 10 active DI head coaches that have earned a Coach of the Year honor in three or more DI conferences.
• There were 14 players returning to DI this season that had made at least 175 3-pointers with a career 3-point field goal percentage of 38% or more; Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely are two of those 14.
• Louisville led 59-15 at halftime against South Carolina State on Nov. 3. The 44-point halftime lead was the largest in program history.
• Louisville’s two season opening victories marked the first time the Cardinals had back-to-back 30-point victories since 2016.
• Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. was named ACC Co-Player and CoRookie of the Week on Nov. 17 after averaging 24.0 ppg, 6.0 apg and shooting 48.1% from the floor in Louisville’s two Week 2 victories – a 96-88 win over Kentucky and 106-81 win over Ohio.
• The Cardinals landed two players on the Preseason All-ACC First Team, the only program to do so in 2025. Both Mikel Brown Jr., and Ryan Conwell earned the First Team nod.
• There are 14 players who returned to DI this season that started the season with at least 175 made 3-pointers with a career 3-point field goal percentage of 38% or more; Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely are two of those 14 players.
• Of the 10 players who were on an NCAA DI roster in 2024-25, eight of them were on teams that played in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
• Louisville is one of the older teams in the country this season. When the Cardinals tipped off the season on Nov. 3, the average age of the 15-man roster was 21.3 years of age.
• UofL has three Cardinals on the roster that have scored over 1,000 DI points: Ryan Conwell (1,494), Isaac McKneely (1,175) and J’Vonne Hadley (1,085).

Arkansas

• LAST TIME THEY MET: ARK: 80 – LOU 54 (11/21/23 in Maui) Arkansas did not give Louisville an inch during a dominating defensive second half, turning an eight-point halftime lead into a 26-point, 80-54 victory in the opening round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Anthony Black led the Razorback with a career-high 26 points (a total he matched the next day vs Creighton) while adding a game-high six assists 
• Razorback head coach John Calipari has a long history with the Louisville Cardinals. Overall, Coach Cal is 19-8 versus Louisville.
• With Arkansas’ win over Samford (Nov. 11), Razorback head coach John Calipari recorded his 880th career win as an NCAA Division I coach, passing Dean Smith for sixth all-time. Coach Cal now has 882 on-court wins and is 18 shy of reaching 900 wins as head coach of an NCAA Division I program.
• Starting with the Michigan State game, Arkansas will make history when it becomes the first team (on record) to play all the teams that advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 the previous year, four SEC opponents and four non-conference opponents. Including Arkansas, the Razorbacks’ schedule includes 11 of the 2025 NCAA Sweet 16 teams.
• In the UCA and Samford games, Arkansas started four McDonald’s All-Americans — D.J. Wagner (‘23) • Karter Knox (‘24) • Darius Acuff Jr. (‘25) • Meleek Thomas (‘25). It was the first and only time the Hogs started four McDonald’s All-Americans in the same game.
• Meleek Thomas scored 26 points against Winthrop. Trevon Brazile just missed a double-double with 14 and 8 while adding a key assist with 1:13 left to start Arkansas’s 6-0 run to end the game. However, it was the two’s defense that won the game.
• Arkansas ranks 8th in the NCAA — 1st in the SEC — in free throw percentage at 80.0% (132-165).^ Trevon Brazile leads the team in both makes (22) & attempts (27) and is shooting 81.5% … an improvement over last year’s 52.9%
• Arkansas is averaging 29.63 points on fastbreaks, which ranks 3rd-best in the NCAA. The Hogs had 34 fastbreak points versus Jackson State, compared to four by the Tigers.
• Arkansas opponents are only making 30.6% (59-of-193) of their 3-ppint attempts, which is a pretty true average as two opponents had great success shooting the 3, three were just OK and two were practically shutout. THE BAD: Southern and Winthrop were a combined 27-of-59 (45.8%) from 3-point range. Southern opened the season making 12-of-27 triples (44%). Winthrop was 15-of-32 (46.9%) from deep, making 7 in the 1st half and 8 in the 2nd. THE OK: Samford, Jackson State and Duke were a combined 27-of-79 (34.2%) from 3-point range. THE GOOD: MICHIGAN STATE AND UCA WERE A COMBINED 5-OF-55 (9.1%) FROM 3-POINT RANGE
• Arkansas had 24 assists with just four turnovers in the Jackson State win. Arkansas has dished out at least 15 assists in 5 of the 7 games and kept its turnovers to single digits in 5 of the 7.
• Arkansas shot an impressive 63.9% in the win over Jackson State – including 74.2% (23-of-31) in the second half. Arkansas scored a season-best 56 points in the paint … thanks to 16 dunks.

More Cardinals Stories

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — The net income for Arkansas farmers is dropping by 8% in 2025 alone, according to a report by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center.

There has been quite a bit working against farmers this year, particularly torrential rainfall and declining crop prices. Hunter Biram, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, suggests that the best-case scenario of Arkansas farmers at this point is still not promising.

“We do not account for farmers to be able to pay themselves a wage, so the best-case scenario for a farmer is to volunteer their time to show up and plant the crop and break even.”

In 2024, Arkansas’ net farm income was $3.17 billion. In 2025, the net farm income is $2.91 billion.

According to Biram, this is nothing new. “Since 2022, crop prices have declined right about 27%, so this 8% is not an isolated decline, it’s not like we’ve seen some fluctuations, we’re entering a third straight year of a decline in the state of Arkansas.”

Biram says that rice, soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat, and peanuts, are the crops that have all seen a drop in value. “On average, we saw about an 8% decline in all of those crop prices year over year.”

Biram says that the farm safety net presented by the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is expected to provide relief to farmers across the country. However, farmers will have to wait on that relief.

“They won’t receive that cash from a cash inflow perspective until a year from now, and farmers need to go to the bank right now,” says Biram.

Throughout this time, Biram says farmers have been hopeful, especially with potential measures aimed to help them in 2026. There is still significant doubt though.

“Farmer are eternal optimists, and they always want things to be better, but right now, there is nothing to be optimist about in terms of where the markets are right now.”

Why is this important for Arkansas?

Agriculture is the #1 industry in the state, accounting for 8% of Arkansas’ gross domestic product. That is the greatest share of the GDP across all of the southern United States.

Click here to view the full report.