Arkansas Celebrates Darius Acuff Jr.'s Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist Honor The Arkansas Razorbacks continue their strong performance in March Madness, remaining undefeated in the month with a dominant showing in the NCAA Tournament. The team entered the tournament after securing an 86-75 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores in the SEC Tournament, earning a No. 4 seed in the West bracket. Their tournament opener saw them defeat the No. 13 seed Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors 97-78, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. The Razorbacks’ success is driven by freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., who has emerged as a key player for the team. Acuff leads the squad with an average of 23.0 points, 6.6 assists, and 35.1 minutes per game. His all-around contributions have drawn attention from NBA scouts, with analysts suggesting he may declare for the draft early. If he does, Acuff would join a list of high-profile “one-and-done” players, including Anthony Davis of the Washington Wizards and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, under the guidance of head coach John Calipari. On Friday, Acuff was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award, a prestigious honor recognizing the nation’s top college basketball player. The list of semifinalists includes notable talents such as AJ Dybantsa of BYU, Cameron Boozer of Duke, Jaden Bradley of Arizona, Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s, Kingston Flemings of Houston, Joshua Jefferson of Iowa State, Yaxel Lendeborg of Michigan, Braden Smith of Purdue, and Keaton Wagler of Illinois. Arkansas celebrated the announcement on social media, posting, “The best player in the country is officially a Naismith Trophy Men’s POY Semifinalist. #AcuffPOY.” Looking ahead, the Razorbacks will face the No.#darius_acuff_jr #arkansas_razorbacks #john_calipari #vanderbilt_commodores #hawai_i_rainbow_warriors
Vanderbilt Commodores Defeat Florida Gators to Reach SEC Tournament Final Vanderbilt University’s men’s basketball team secured a decisive victory over the Florida Gators, advancing to the SEC Tournament final. The game, held on March 14, 2026, at 10:30 PM, saw the No. 22 seed Commodores overcome the No. 4 seed Gators, ending Florida’s winning streak. Referee K.B. Burdett officiated the matchup, which was marked by standout performances from Vanderbilt players. Key moments in the game included a smooth layup by Tyler Tanner, a transition bucket by Tyler Nickel, and a clutch three-pointer by Duke Miles, who hit a game-winning shot from beyond the arc. These plays highlighted Vanderbilt’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and execute under pressure. The victory marked a significant upset, as the Commodores’ win ended Florida’s streak and propelled them to the SEC Championship game. The result underscored the competitive nature of the SEC tournament, with underdog teams proving capable of toppling higher-seeded opponents. Vanderbilt’s triumph will now set the stage for their next challenge in the tournament, as they aim to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The game also drew attention to the evolving dynamics of the league, with teams like Vanderbilt demonstrating resilience and strategic depth.#sec_tournament #florida_gators #vanderbilt_commodores #tyler_tanner #tyler_nickel
