Arkansas
LSU
LEAD STORY
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. continues to rewrite the SEC record books, earning his fifth consecutive SEC Freshman of the Week honor—a feat unprecedented in conference history. The league office announced the historic selection today, cementing Acuff's status as one of the most dominant first-year players in recent SEC memory.
Acuff's remarkable streak speaks to both his individual excellence and Arkansas's strong start to conference play. While the SEC has seen plenty of talented freshmen over the years, none has managed to capture five straight weekly honors, underscoring the consistency and impact the young guard has brought to Eric Musselman's squad. His ability to perform at an elite level week after week has not only elevated the Razorbacks but also set a new standard for freshman production in the nation's premier basketball conference.
QUICK HITS
• Softball dominance brewing: Five Arkansas softball players—Dakota Kennedy, Robyn Herron, Ella McDowell, Reagan Johnson, and Payton Burnham—landed on Softball America's Preseason Top 100 Players list, signaling another potentially elite season for Courtney Deifel's program.
• Diamond Hogs climb rankings: Arkansas baseball earned the No. 7 spot in D1Baseball's preseason top 25, positioning Dave Van Horn's squad among the national elite heading into the 2026 campaign.
• Portal addition from LSU: The Razorbacks added wide receiver Jelani Watkins from LSU, bringing a 5-10, 162-pound target from LaPlace, Louisiana, who originally played at Atascocita High School before his stint with the Tigers.
• Podcast spotlight: Freshman guard Meleek Thomas shared his compelling backstory on episode 319 of the Arkansas athletics podcast, detailing how his Pittsburgh upbringing forged the toughness that's made him one of the country's top first-year guards.
• Practice intel: Coach Courtney Deifel provided insights into Arkansas softball's opening week of practice, offering fans a glimpse into preparation for what could be another championship-caliber season.
PORTAL WATCH
The transfer portal remained quiet overnight with no new SEC entries or commitments reported. This brief lull comes after a typically active holiday period, suggesting programs across the conference may be settling into their current rosters as the spring semester begins. With basketball season in full swing and spring sports ramping up, expect portal activity to pick up again as players reassess their situations following the semester break.
RECRUITING BUZZ
No new commitments were announced across SEC programs today, though the addition of Jelani Watkins from LSU to Arkansas represents significant roster movement within the conference. The 5-10 receiver's transfer highlights the continued shuffling of talent within SEC boundaries, as programs look to address specific positional needs. Watkins brings Louisiana speed and SEC experience to the Razorback receiving corps, potentially filling a crucial role in Bobby Petrino's offensive scheme.
GAMES TO WATCH
No SEC games are scheduled for today, giving fans a brief respite in what has been a packed January slate. However, this quiet Tuesday provides an opportunity for teams to focus on practice and preparation, particularly important for basketball programs navigating the grind of conference play. Arkansas basketball will look to build on Acuff's historic momentum when they return to action, while other SEC programs use the downtime to address areas of concern before the schedule intensifies again.
The lack of game action today also allows recruiting efforts to take center stage, with coaches across the conference hitting the road for official visits and final pushes before upcoming signing periods. Spring sports programs, meanwhile, continue their preparation phases, with Arkansas softball's strong preseason recognition suggesting the Razorbacks could be a team to watch when competition begins.