Hogs Dominate Hawai’i in NCAA Tournament Opener

Arkansas opened the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center in Portland with a commanding 97-78 win over Hawai’i. The Razorbacks raced to an early 11-0 run and never trailed. The performance set the tone for an efficient offensive display and a comfortable margin throughout.

Key players and milestones

Darius Acuff Jr. led Arkansas with 24 points and seven rebounds. He also broke Kareem Reid’s single-season and freshman school assist mark, finishing the season with 223 assists.

Meleek Thomas added 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Acuff and Thomas became the first freshman duo in NCAA Tournament history with at least 20 points and five assists in the same game.

Trevon Brazile scored 19 points and reached 1,013 career points as a Razorback. Including one season at Missouri, Brazile’s collegiate total is 1,164 points.

Malique Ewin recorded a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double and posted a career-best six assists. Billy Richmond III chipped in 10 points. Five Razorbacks finished in double figures.

Game flow and statistics

Arkansas opened the game on an 11-0 run while Hawai’i missed its first seven field-goal attempts. The Hogs extended the advantage to 19 points before Hawai’i trimmed the lead late in the half.

The Razorbacks closed the first half on an 8-0 run featuring dunks by Richmond, Ewin and Brazile. Arkansas led 54-36 at intermission.

Arkansas shot 61.1 percent in the first half, despite making only 2-of-11 three-pointers. The team finished with 26 assists and five first-half steals. Arkansas is 12-0 this season when recording 20 or more assists, and 17-0 under Coach Calipari in such games.

Hawai’i shot better in the second half, 48.6 percent to Arkansas’ 47.2 percent. The Warriors converted four of 13 threes in the period, while the Razorbacks were 2-of-10. Arkansas’ lead never fell below 11 in the second half.

Individual first- and second-half notes

• First half leaders: Thomas 14, Acuff 13, Ewin 10.
• Dre Bullock led Hawai’i with 13 points in the first half.
• Malique Ewin grabbed six second-half rebounds to help Arkansas out-rebound Hawai’i 21-17 in the period.

Context and next steps

The victory sets Arkansas against 12-seed High Point in the second round. High Point earlier upset 5-seed Wisconsin 83-82. The matchup time will be announced later.

Arkansas improved its NCAA Tournament record to 53-36 in its 37th appearance. The Razorbacks are 21-8 all-time in first-round games. Coach John Calipari is 60-23 in NCAA play and 22-3 in first-round contests.

Arkansas’ starting five for the game were Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, Trevon Brazile and Malique Ewin. Meleek Thomas opened the scoring at 19:41. D.J. Wagner was the first substitute.

Hogs Dominate Hawai’i in NCAA Tournament Opener captured the early momentum and closed strongly. For additional coverage and analysis, visit Filmogaz.com.