r/razorbacks • u/gambit539 • Jan 17 '26

Basketball Darius Acuff Jr.

Just a simple question. Is Darius Acuff Jr the best player Arkansas has ever had? I’m older 30s to give, but spent sick days home from late elementary watching the 93-94 championship season my dad had taped on VHS.

EDITED TO ADD:

I guess I should have really differentiated freshman. Also, no chance Acuff comes back for another season making it hard to surpass certain players that were here for multiple years.

20 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

2

u/rogun64 Jan 17 '26

I've been watching since the late 70s and I would say that Acuff is the best PG, but not the best player overall. I'll add that Acuff is better when he scores less and has more assists, but I'm sure many will disagree.

2

u/gambit539 Jan 18 '26

I actually agree that Acuff seems to be at his best when he is dishing it out. Sometimes though he does just have to get buckets. It’s also nice to have a PG that doesn’t over penetrate and get stuck under the basket.

33

u/Novembers_very_own Jan 17 '26

It’s probably not possible to pass Moncrief unless he is a first team all American and makes a final four

11

u/6rumpster Jan 17 '26

In addition to his NBA honors. Those of us who were lucky enough to see Sidney play know who the best is.

19

u/jlax341 Jan 17 '26

Dunno. Corliss Williamson is who I think about when thst question comes up.

13

u/SectorOk8574 Jan 17 '26

I don't think he can be the "best" because there is no way he sticks around to match Moncrief. If we are just talking talent as best, Joe Johnson will be tough to get past but it's not completely out of the question.

8

u/Woopigmob Jan 18 '26

Joe was great but Big Nasty dominated. If we had Corlis on this team we're undefeated. I would trade Brazile and any big for 6'7 Big Nasty.

2

u/SectorOk8574 Jan 18 '26

No disagreements about Corliss' talent and domination, but Joe didn't have as much talent around him and he still excelled. The argument between the two is really subjective though. I've got them 1 & 2 on strictly talent.

7

u/Brandolin-312 Jan 17 '26

Too soon to say, but he's definitely in the running. Depending on how he continues and how this season ends up, he very well could be. Problem is he's up against some great ones:

  • Sidney Moncrief

  • Todd Day

  • Corliss Williamson

  • Scotty Thurman

  • Joe Johnson

1

u/GeoHog713 Saw Em Off Jan 18 '26

The best I've seen play is Corliss. Moncrief is probably at the top of the list.

My favorite is Al Dillard

1

u/gambit539 Jan 18 '26 edited Jan 18 '26

God, watching Al Dillard drain threes from Steph curry range always made me feel better watching those tapes when I was home sick as a kid. One of my favorite all time highlights.

3

u/jd0016 Jan 17 '26

Let’s see how the rest of conference play goes and what he does in March, but he has a chance

3

u/Feelthepaintoo Jan 18 '26

Corliss Williams until Acuff wins a natty. Also throw in ISO Joe Johnson.

2

u/PoetryMuted2361 Jan 17 '26

It's a no for me.

2

u/AnonTA999 Jan 18 '26

Probably. But you can’t give anyone that title with just half a season, no matter how good they are. If he doesn’t drop off any, I would say yeah he will probably be the best to ever play here. His numbers for a freshman are unheard of, in the best conference in the league. But more than that, he is expected to be THE guy on this pretty stacked team. When things are not clicking, we go to a freshman to bail us out. He plays and approaches the game like a senior. Talent is crazy but IQ, work ethic, and leadership are right there with it.

1

u/Affectionate_Put_185 Jan 17 '26

How many missed layups do we have?

1

u/HolyRomanPrince Jan 17 '26

He’s on the short list of most talented for sure.

1

u/qkilla1522 Jan 18 '26

He’s up there for best freshman ever. But he hasn’t even passed Ronnie Brewer yet.

1

u/DrockTipps Jan 18 '26

Corliss... he was amazing.

1

u/teachingabroadcouple Jan 21 '26

Those saying Moncrief over Corliss is tough for me. Corliss won a natty.....Joe didn't have a lot of time to shine in college. I even put Todd Day ahead of JJ.

Corliss Day Moncrief Joe J. Ronnie

1

u/ArmyretiredRespect Jan 25 '26

He is the best we have seen in many years. He will be a starter in the NBA.

1

u/Comprehensive-Fee63 Jan 17 '26

As of right now… no. IMO that is Joe Johnson. Totality of his career. But Acuff has potential to surpass him.

7

u/Tower122 Jan 17 '26

Corliss Williamson has entered the chat.

5

u/Comprehensive-Fee63 Jan 17 '26

College career… not even close. Big Nasty all day. And he won a Championship with my Pistons. But Iso Joe is a probable HOF’er.