The Hoop Hogs opened the regular season with a 109-77 blowout win over Southern at Bud Walton Arena. Three Razorbacks scored more than 20 points, led by Trevon Brazile, who posted a career-high 25.
Game Summary
It took about a minute and a half for Arkansas to find its rhythm offensively, but after a 3-pointer from Brazile gave the Hogs a 3-2 lead, they never looked back. Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. was the star of the first half, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Brazile and fellow freshman Meleek Thomas each added 10 points in the opening 20 minutes. Arkansas shot 60 percent from 3-point range, 53.1 percent from the field and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line to take a 57-32 halftime lead.
The second half was more of the same, as the Razorbacks continued to dominate. Arkansas led by as many as 37 points and controlled the paint, outscoring Southern 48-28 inside. Defensively, the Hogs forced problems for the Jaguars with 10 steals and four blocks, turning those into 16 points off turnovers. Arkansas also thrived in transition, scoring 32 fast-break points.
The Razorbacks finished the night shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 86.2 percent from the line. The 109-77 rout left no doubt as Arkansas, ranked No. 14 nationally, started the season 1-0.
Who Stood Out for the Hoop Hogs
Brazile delivered an impressive double-double, leading the Razorbacks in scoring and rebounding while adding an assist, a steal and a block. In 28 minutes, he looked like the impact player he was before his 2022-23 injury.
The freshman duo of Acuff and Thomas shined in their collegiate debuts. Acuff scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting with two rebounds and four assists, while Thomas added 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-10 from deep, along with seven rebounds and a team-high three steals.
Looking Ahead for the Hoop Hogs
Arkansas will face its first true test of the season when it travels to No. 22 Michigan State on Nov. 8 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on FOX.
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