Arkansas Claims First SEC Tournament Title Since 2000

Nashville, TN – The Arkansas Razorbacks secured their first SEC men’s basketball tournament championship since 2000, defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 86-75 on Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. The victory marks the second SEC tournament title in program history.

Game Highlights

Darius Acuff Jr. Led the Razorbacks with a stellar performance, scoring 30 points and dishing out 11 assists, becoming the first player in SEC tournament history to achieve both milestones in a single game. Trevon Brazile contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, while Billy Richmond III added 18 points and 5 rebounds.

Vanderbilt was led by Tyler Nickel and Duke Miles, both scoring 19 points apiece. Nickel also grabbed 9 rebounds, and Miles recorded 9 assists.

Key Moments

Arkansas shot an impressive 63% (15-of-24) from three-point range, a significant factor in their win. After falling behind by six points, Arkansas responded with an 11-0 run fueled by three-pointers from D.J. Wagner and Acuff to regain the lead. Late in the game, Brazile hit consecutive three-pointers and blocked a shot to secure the Razorbacks’ advantage.

Tournament Recap

Arkansas’ path to the championship included victories over Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Vanderbilt reached the final after a stunning upset of top-seeded Florida in the semifinals.

2026 SEC Tournament Results

• First Round: Kentucky 87, LSU 82. Auburn 79, Mississippi State 61; Ole Miss 76, Texas 66; Oklahoma 86, South Carolina 74
• Second Round: Kentucky 78, Missouri 72; Tennessee 72, Auburn 62; Ole Miss 76, Georgia 72; Oklahoma 83, Texas A&M 63
• Quarterfinals: Florida 71, Kentucky 63; Vanderbilt 75, Tennessee 68; Ole Miss 80, Alabama 79; Arkansas 82, Oklahoma 79
• Semifinals: Vanderbilt 91, Florida 74; Arkansas 93, Ole Miss 90 (OT)
• Championship: Arkansas 86, Vanderbilt 75

Looking Ahead

Arkansas (26-8) will now await their seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Coach John Calipari secured his first SEC title since 2018, when he was with Kentucky. The Razorbacks’ impressive run through the tournament positions them as a strong contender in March Madness.

Source: Yahoo Sports, NCAA.com, CBS Sports