FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas men’s basketball coach John Calipari has made a living on producing one-and-done guards. It’s a legacy he often likes to touch on during speaking engagements, pointing to the amount of money — “$6 b-b-b-billion,” he often says — his former players have made playing in the NBA.
Making such conclusions on one official game would be foolish, particularly with how dominant the No. 14 Razorbacks’ 109-77 win over an outmatched Southern was at Bud Walton Arena on Monday.
But looking at the potential next in line in Calipari’s factory comes with its perks. Darius Acuff, who is projected by many to be Calipari’s next one-and-done lottery pick, showed why he has been touted as such against the Jaguars.
Acuff finished with 22 points — 20 of which came in the first half — 4 rebounds and 4 assists in his official collegiate debut.
While Southern is likely to be far off many of the power-conference foes Arkansas has in the future, the 5-star freshman gave a small glimpse into his potential — both for the remainder of what may be his lone college season and his future NBA lifestyle.
Monday’s score quickly ballooned, largely due to Acuff.
His 20 first-half points saw the Razorbacks’ lead grow from lower double digits to 25 points by the break.
photo Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) makes a fadeaway defended by Southern forward DaMariee Jones (1), Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, during the first half of the season-opener at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
“It was nice because it was like a 13-point game, and then all of a sudden you look up and it’s 25. But he made basket, basket,” Calipari said. “There was one play, I’m telling him and Meleek, you’ve got to respect your teammates. They are fine with you having the ball a lot, taking shots. No one’s saying anything. You don’t take a contested quick shot, you give it to somebody else so they can shoot it.”
His partnership with Meleek Thomas, another 5-star prospect who may be in the professional realm in a year’s time, has been among the most promising parts of Arkansas’ early showings.
Thomas scored 21 points and had 7 assists and 6 rebounds.
“They need to be on the floor together 20 minutes at least. I mean, it’s pretty obvious, wouldn’t you say?” Calipari said. “They need to be out there. So even if one doesn’t start, and the other starts the second half, whatever I do, I need to have 20 minutes of them together.”
That partnership, young or otherwise, may prove to be one of the Razorbacks’ best weapons.
Both were touted for their offense entering college, but both have shown a well-rounded game in their early days on campus.
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“If Darius isn’t going then I know I've got to go,” Thomas said. “I know we’re going to get offense from somewhere, but I don’t feel anyone can stop me on the floor, and I know Darius feels the same way. So it’s just special for him, to see him when he does, and then for me to know what I’m capable of at the same time.”
There are, of course, many months and variables ahead of Acuff on that path. But Monday showed the promise, even if it came against a team the Razorbacks beat easily.
Acuff also gave validation to his two exhibition performances — 17 points in both preseason contests against Cincinnati and Memphis. Saturday’s game at Michigan State will provide a sterner test.
Acuff appears to be the next in line to add to Calipari’s “humble brag,” as he likes to call his players’ NBA figure. There’s still a long way to Draft Day in June, but Acuff seems to be on his way.
“He's super talented when it comes to offense, and he's really getting very, very good on defense,” Thomas said. “He spent a lot of effort into defense, so to see him increasingly get better on defense while still putting on that display on offense, it’s just like you can see his game coming to a complete game.”