9. Arkansas (4-seed)
Darius Acuff Jr. (Freshman – Guard)
Expectations were high for Acuff entering the season but suffice to say the Top 10 recruit has exceeded those dreams. Named both First Team All-American and SEC Player of the Year, Acuff racked up several awards while leading the conference in scoring assists with 23.3 points and 6.5 assists per game. He’s been everything for a Razorbacks rotation that’s been really thing at times and is fresh off a 36-point, 6-assist game against High Point in the second round of the Tournament. Any future run rests on this star’s shoulders.
Trevon Brazile (Senior – Forward)
No stranger to March or success with the Razorbacks, Brazile is in his fourth season with Arkansas and has been his most productive as a senior in this lineup. He’s putting up 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, knocking down 35% of his 3-pointers and nearly 65% from inside the arc. Brazile is a fantastic threat all over the court who just had 19 points against Hawaii and is adamant to Arkansas’s future success, especially after his prowess during the SEC Tournament a few weeks ago.
Malique Ewin (Junior – Forward)
It’s year four and school four for Ewin and he’s certainly not regretting opting for the Razorbacks with how this season has gone. He’s only been starting largely during the NCAA Tournament, but Ewin’s had a great season with 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game from this frontcourt. Ewin might not be quite as efficient as he was last season in Florida State’s frontcourt, but he put up at least 14 points and 12 rebounds in each of Arkansas’s first two Tourney games and is really playing into this bigger role.
Billy Richmond III (Sophomore – Forward)
Richmond has taken a nice step forward in year two with the Razorbacks and has really found his footing in the back half of this season. He’s been impressive for Arkansas while averaging 11.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, including 64% from 2-point range. He’s been in double-figures in the Razorbacks’ last three games, including a much-needed 15-point, 10-rebound effort against upset-hungry High Point. Richmond plays his role well in this frontcourt and rightfully earned his spot on the SEC All-Defense team.
Meleek Thomas (Freshman – Guard)
The other half of Arkansas’s impressive young backcourt duo, Thomas has also lived up to the expectations during a really productive collegiate campaign. He’s averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while knocking down 42% of his long-range shots for the Razorbacks. Both a stat stuffer and efficient offensive presence, he’s scored 40 points combined in his team’s first two Tourney games, including a 21-point, 8-rebound effort against Hawaii in the first round.