In an arena that’s hosted many ballgames played by studs galore through the decades, Coleman Coliseum hosted its most spectacular contest since opening its doors back in 1968 last night in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama (19-7 straight up, 11-15 against the spread) outlasted Arkansas 117-115 in double overtime thanks to a missed putback dunk by the Razorbacks’ Malique Ewin just before the buzzer. John Calipari’s team covered the spread as a 4.5-point road underdog.
Gamblers on the ‘over’ (181.5 points) cashed tickets when Arkansas freshman point guard Darius Acuff scored on a layup that cut the Crimson Tide’s lead to 93-90 with 1:19 remaining in regulation. After Arkansas got a defensive stop, its other freshman phenom, Meleek Thomas, buried a pair of free throws with 25 ticks remaining to make it a one-point game.
Calipari’s team had to give a foul after unsuccessfully trying to get a steal in the backcourt. Alabama point guard Aden Holloway extended his team’s advantage to 95-92 by burying both free throws.
Next, Acuff pulled up from 30 feet and drained a tying 3-ball with 12 seconds left. Back at the other end, Alabama star guard Labaron Philon got into the lane off the dribble, only to miss a mid-range fadeaway attempt at the horn.
Arkansas scored the first five points of the first overtime, only for the Tide to answer with a 7-0 run capped by Houston Mallette’s 25-footer, his first of two pivotal buckets in a six-point effort from the Pepperdine transfer who missed most of last season injured. Acuff answered with a pair of free throws with 2:13 left in OT to tie it again at 102-102.
After both teams traded three made free throws, Alabama’s Amari Allen missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining. Arkansas used its final timeout after being granted a team rebound when the ball went out of bounds.
Acuff quickly brought the ball up and got a great look off the dribble moving to his right, but his 14-foot jumper was off the mark. The rebound came off to the far side and although it was certainly a rushed attempt with literally just a fraction of a second remaining, Ewin had a great opportunity for a tip-in at the buzzer, but it was a little too strong.
And this Instant Classic went to a second extra session.
With Karter Knox and Isaiah Sealy in street clothes sidelined by injuries, Calipari had only seven healthy players available that played regular minutes. However, Thomas fouled out with 3:18 left in the first OT, and then Nick Pringle was whistled for his fifth foul with 1:30 remaining.
Therefore, when D.J. Wagner committed his fifth foul with 3:18 left in double OT, Calipari was forced to bring in Jaden Karuletwa, a sophomore guard who had played only 19 minutes all season long.
With the game knotted at 110-110, Philon put his team back in front on a driving layup with 1:57 remaining. At the other end, Acuff was fouled by Holloway while attempting a 3-pointer with 1:31 left. Acuff made all three from the charity stripe to give the Hogs a 113-112 edge.
On Alabama’s next possession, Holloway drew a foul on Billy Richmond, his fifth, forcing Calipari to bring in Elmir Dzafic, who had played merely 15 minutes this season.
After Holloway made both free throws and ‘Bama got a defensive stop, Mallette picked a prime opportunity to drain another 3-ball off a pass from Philon to give the Tide a 117-113 lead with 51 ticks remaining.
But it wasn’t over. Arkansas center Trevon Brazile dunked with 40 seconds left to make it a one-possession game. Next, Amari Allen missed at the other end. Brazile snagged the rebound and got the ball to Acuff, who raced down the court and missed a mid-range jumper.
As previously noted, Ewin missed the putback that would’ve forced a third overtime.
Acuff was brilliant in the losing effort, finishing with 49 points, five rebounds, one steal, one blocked shot and five assists compared to only one turnover. He hit 16-of-27 field-goal attempts, 6-of-10 treys and 11-of-12 free throws.
At his postgame presser, Calipari revealed that Acuff had been in a walking boot on Monday and Tuesday. When the second-year HC asked Acuff if he might miss the game, he replied, “Are you nuts?”
Acuff’s 49 points were the most ever by an Arkansas freshman and the second-most in program history behind only Rotnei Clarke’s 51-point effort in 2009. It didn’t set a Coleman Coliseum record, though, as some dude named ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich dropped 69 on Bama without a 3-point line in 1970.
Philon scored a career-best 35 points on 11-of-21 FGAs and also dished out seven assists. Aiden Sherrell enjoyed a career night as well, producing 26 points (10-of-13 FGAs) and 13 rebounds. Allen and Holloway were also in double figures with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Alabama went ‘over’ its Team Total of 94 points thanks to 56 percent shooting from the field (40/71).
Thomas scored 24 points and grabbed six boards before fouling out. Richmond added 20 points and six rebounds, while Brazile finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and a pair of steals.
Alabama has won five games in a row since getting blasted 100-77 at Florida. The Tide is now #19 in the NET rankings and #20 at KenPom. They play Saturday at LSU.
Arkansas (19-7 SU, 18-8 ATS) saw its three-game winning streak snapped, but the Hogs are on a 4-0 ATS run. They are #17 in both the NET and KenPom.
FanDuel has Alabama at 40/1 and Arkansas with 50/1 odds to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament.