Michael Main

Posting AI slop when you have one of the nation's top journalism/creative media schools is a disgrace.

Watch Arkansas face off against Arizona on Thursday night and you'll see Darius Acuff shapeshift. One possession, he's snaking through a ball screen with that low dribble and impossible touch around the rim — full Kyrie mode. The next, he's sprinting off a handoff and pulling up from the logo before the defense can even blink — full Dame mode. Then the other team inbounds the ball and he's standing somewhere near half-court, watching his man curl off a screen on the other side of the floor — full Trae Young mode. It's the most fascinating offensive package in college basketball attached to the most exhausting defensive effort. Anyone who’s watched Acuff knows about the defensive effort lapses, the awareness issues, and the size limitations at a generous 6-foot-3 that don't go away. These are legitimate flags and they belong in every honest evaluation. But Saturday night showed why some scouts forgive those flaws. He scored 12 of Arkansas' final 15 points and, with the game tied at 83 with three minutes left, Acuff went on a personal 7-0 run — with two layups and a 3-pointer from the wing with a minute left. He added two free throws with eight seconds remaining to close it at 94-88. His 36-point night is the most by any Razorback in NCAA tournament history and broke the program's single-season scoring record. He and Chris Paul are the only freshmen since 1973 to open their tournament careers with back-to-back 20-and-5 games. He has 60 points and 13 assists in two games. He's 19. Acuff doesn’t do much defending at the college level. Yes, that’s real. And yes, if Arkansas loses to Arizona the odds are his inability to get stops will be one of the factors why. And yes, maybe it’ll continue to be a problem in the NBA. But at some point the avalanche of offensive credentials just buries the counterargument. Irving is a future Hall of Famer and a champion who hit one of the greatest shots in the history of the Finals. Dame is a future Hall of Famer and led his team to a conference finals. Trae is a complicated case — his best days in Atlanta are behind him and he'll need to rejuvenate in a disastrous Washington situation — but he still gave that franchise seven years of appointment television and a conference finals run. The offensive value was worth a top-five pick … well, as long as you're not giving away Luka Dončić to get him. The question with smaller guards is always about whether they do enough on offense to compensate. And with a football player frame and a high work ethic, Acuff does have the tools to be a competitive defender when he's surrounded by more talent. A player this special offensively is worth a top-five pick, whether or not his defense is a red flag.

🗣️ HOGS SCORE 10 IN THE 5TH!

Heard about Moses Moody injury last night. @mosesmoody you are always welcome to come back and rehab with us and use the facility. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery!

Breaking: Arkansas freshman star Darius Acuff Jr. has landed a signature shoe with Reebok, becoming the first NCAA men’s athlete to receive one from a major U.S. brand while still in college, Reebok’s head of basketball, Jide Osifeso, tells @ShamsCharania.

After an embarrassing loss to Arkansas State last month, Central Arkansas comes to Baum-Walker Stadium with a similar mission to “kick the crap out of” the Diamond Hogs. bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-baseb…

"Darius Acuff is one of the top two or three players in the country.. He's NBA ready and he loves the pressure" Coach K #PMSLive

🐶 #MarchMadness

Allen Iverson sharing some veteran wisdom with 5-star recruit Darius Acuff Jr. Is Darius Acuff Jr. the next AI? 👀 (Via theofficialai3/ig)

@JacksonCollier @connerjcaldwell Two perfect loafs

@connerjcaldwell I do love my cats!

“JC Hoops” and the JC stands for “Just Cats”

While John Calipari just took Arkansas to another Sweet 16, many Kentucky fans want to strip Mark Pope of a key part of his job after this year’s $22 million disaster. bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-baske…

First weekend update: 28/32 in the Round of 64 and 14 out of the Sweet 16. Only messed up the Florida/Vanderbilt pod. No regrets on that one. Iowa and Nebraska gave us instant classics. Not bad at all.

@morrisoncrying Jacket off with a tie is so good.

Total #class victory over pajamas, by the way

Arkansas’ Sweet 16 matchup with Arizona will tip off at 8:45 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 26, from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Jim Jackson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (reporter) will have the call on CBS.

It's been a rough week for Big Blue Nation.

From Arkansas State to Providence in two years' time. Hats off to Coach Hodgson.

Arizona still has to take care of business against Utah State this evening, but here's a look at how the Razorbacks match up with the Wildcats. Tommy Lloyd's top-seeded team bears a lot of similarities to the Florida squad that embarrassed the Hogs... bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-baske…

John Calipari currently has the best point guard in the NBA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), in college (Darius Acuff Jr.), and in high school (Jordan Smith Jr.) The greatest recruiter of all time. Generational.

Arkansas has seen more than its fair share of heartbreak in recent years. Darius Acuff Jr. is fighting that reputation tooth and nail, willing the Hogs to the Sweet 16 with his record-breaking performance against High Point. bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-baske…

FINAL - Arkansas 94-88 High Point The Razorbacks survive a shootout and advance to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year.