The Arkansas Razorbacks secured a 13-point victory over the Auburn Tigers, with Darius Acuff Jr. leading the charge with 31 points and 7 assists. The win improved Arkansas' record to 19-6, while Auburn fell to 14-11. Acuff Jr.'s performance was a key factor in the game, as he shot efficiently and facilitated the offense with his 7 assists. Arkansas' 88 points were the result of a strong second-half performance, where they scored 50 points.
Darius Acuff Jr. Scores 31 Points, Including 5 in a 12-2 Run
The game was closely contested in the first half, with Arkansas leading 38-32 at halftime. However, the Arkansas Razorbacks pulled away in the second half, outscoring Auburn 50-43. The turning point in the game came with 10 minutes remaining, when Arkansas went on a 12-2 run, led by Acuff Jr.'s 5 points and 2 assists during that stretch. Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 29 points and dishing out 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Arkansas' 50 second-half points were a result of their 55.6% field goal percentage in the half, including 5 three-pointers.
Darius Acuff Jr. and Billy Richmond III led the Arkansas Razorbacks in scoring, with 31 and 25 points, respectively. Acuff Jr. also added 7 assists, while Richmond III shot 50% from the field. For Auburn, Tahaad Pettiford and KeShawn Murphy were the top performers, scoring 29 and 22 points, respectively. Pettiford also had 7 assists, while Murphy grabbed 12 rebounds. Trevon Brazile contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds for Arkansas, while Elyjah Freeman added 9 points and 9 rebounds for Auburn. Acuff Jr.'s 31 points were the most he has scored in a game this season, and his 7 assists were a reflection of his all-around skills.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Arkansas outshot Auburn 51.9% to 44.1% from the field, including 40% to 33.3% from three-point range. The Razorbacks also outrebounded the Tigers 37-35, with Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III grabbing 7 and 5 rebounds, respectively. Auburn committed 15 turnovers, which led to 18 Arkansas points, while the Razorbacks turned the ball over 12 times, resulting in 10 Auburn points. The 18 points off turnovers were a key factor in Arkansas' 13-point victory. Arkansas' 88 points were the result of their efficient offense, which scored 1.23 points per possession.
The CHD Scout predicted an Arkansas victory by 12.6 points, and the actual margin of 13 points was very close to the prediction. The predicted score of 88-76 was also close to the actual score of 88-75. The correct prediction was a reflection of the model's accuracy, as it took into account Arkansas' strong offense and Auburn's struggles on the road. The model correctly identified Acuff Jr. as a key player in the game, and his 31 points and 7 assists were a major factor in the outcome. The prediction comparison showed that the model was correct in predicting the winner and the margin, with an error of only 0.4 points.
The victory improved Arkansas' record to 19-6, and the Razorbacks' NET ranking of 20 will likely remain steady. The win was a Quadrant 2 victory for Arkansas, which will help strengthen their resume for the NCAA Tournament. For Auburn, the loss dropped their record to 14-11, and their NET ranking of 32 may take a slight hit. The game was a Quadrant 1 opportunity for Auburn, and the loss will make it more difficult for them to improve their tournament seeding. Arkansas' 19-6 record includes a 10-4 record in Quadrant 1 and 2 games, which will be a key factor in their tournament resume. The Razorbacks' strength of schedule, which includes games against top-ranked teams, will also be a factor in their tournament seeding.
The Arkansas Razorbacks will face the Kentucky Wildcats on February 18, while the Auburn Tigers will face the Tennessee Volunteers on February 17. Both games matters in determining the teams' tournament seeding and will provide a challenge for the Razorbacks and Tigers. Arkansas want to build on their 19-6 record, while Auburn will try to bounce back from their 14-11 record. The games will be a test of the teams' strength and resilience, and the outcomes will have a significant impact on their tournament chances.