Top 25 And 1: Arkansas routs Texas as star freshman Darius Acuff Jr. shines

A lot of people have said a lot of good things about Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. this season, myself included. But Texas coach Sean Miller took it to another level Wednesday following his Longhorns’ 105-85 loss to the Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena.

Did you see the quote?

That’s a good thing.

“In my time…I’ve never seen a better point guard,” Miller said before later adding, “I’ve never been on a court where a player at that position is better than him. Greatness is how I would describe his game, and he seems like an incredible young man. …Guys like him, they don’t come around very often in college basketball. He’s a generational player. He’s really good. And that No. 1 pick thing, I don’t know why the People don’t talk about him anymore. I can’t imagine anyone better.”

NOW It is a quote.

Acuff took 15 shots against Texas, made eight of them and finished with 28 points and 13 assists. That means he’s now averaging 22.2 points and 6.4 assists, shooting 43.7 percent from 3, and having an assist ratio better than 3 to 1. According to OptaStats, no Division I player has ever posted such good numbers in each of those categories in a season while appearing in at least 75 percent of his team’s games.

Acuff is poised to be the first.

He already broke the Arkansas record for most points in a season by a freshman. With 27 more assists, Acuff will also hold the program record for most dimes allowed by a freshman in a season. Simply put, the SEC Player of the Year award should be his.

Arkansas remains No. 20 in the daily CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings updated Thursday morning, where Duke is No. 1 for the 12th straight day. Next up for the Razorbacks is Saturday’s regular season finale at Missouri.

Rankings Top 25 And 1