Razorbacks Overcome Injuries, Cruise Past Bulldogs in Starkville

Arkansas wins big on the road despite missing two key players, showcasing their depth and team-first approach.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 5:47pm

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The Arkansas Razorbacks overcame the absences of Karter Knox and D.J. Wagner to cruise to an 88-68 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville. Led by a dominant performance from Darius Acuff, who finished with 24 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds, the Razorbacks played unselfish, team-first basketball to pull away in the second half. Arkansas' defense and rebounding were also key factors in the lopsided win.

Why it matters

This victory on the road against a conference opponent demonstrates the Razorbacks' resilience and ability to adapt when faced with adversity. It also highlights the team's depth, as freshman Isaiah Sealy stepped up with a strong performance off the bench. The win could be a significant momentum boost for Arkansas as they continue their SEC schedule.

The details

The Razorbacks took control of the game with a 20-2 run in the first half, using their defense to fuel their offense. Arkansas finished the game with a 22-7 assist-to-turnover ratio and outscored Mississippi State 19-4 in points off turnovers. The Razorbacks also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bulldogs 38-33 and grabbing 11 offensive rebounds.

  • Arkansas trailed 10-9 at the first media timeout, but then went on a 20-2 run over the next 7 minutes to take a commanding lead.
  • Arkansas led 43-30 at halftime after a 6-0 run to close the first half.
  • The Razorbacks never led by fewer than 14 points in the second half.

The players

Darius Acuff

A freshman point guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks who finished the game with 24 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Isaiah Sealy

A freshman who was inserted into the rotation due to the Razorbacks' injuries, and contributed 6 points and 3 blocks in 15 minutes of action.

Chris Jans

The head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who praised the Razorbacks' length, athleticism, and quality of players after the game.

John Calipari

The head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who was impressed with his team's ability to adjust and figure things out despite the injuries.

Josh Hubbard

A productive scorer for the Mississippi State Bulldogs who helped them get an early lead before the Razorbacks pulled away.

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What they’re saying

“I was excited about the game, and I told the team that. And the reason is, you go through a season and things happen. You've got to say, 'Alright, let's figure this out.'”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, Arkansas Razorbacks

“You can talk until you're blue in the face about facing a team like that. But until you get on the court and get a feel for it, it's like walking out in the cold. You've got to adjust to it quickly.”

— Chris Jans, Head Coach, Mississippi State Bulldogs

“Anytime this team gets over 20 assists, we win. But it's hard because it means you can't bounce it as much. It means you got to give it to a teammate when he's open.”

— John Calipari, Head Coach, Arkansas Razorbacks

What’s next

The Razorbacks will look to build on this impressive road victory as they continue their SEC schedule. Their next game is at home against the Florida Gators on February 15th.

The takeaway

This win showcases the Razorbacks' depth, resilience, and team-first mentality. Despite missing two key players, Arkansas was able to dominate on both ends of the floor, demonstrating their ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. This performance could be a turning point in their season as they look to make a push in the SEC standings.