Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. Was In Walking Boot Days Before Historic Game vs. Alabama, Calipari Says

Arkansas star freshman Darius Acuff Jr. exploded for 49 points in Wednesday night's 117-115 loss to Alabama, and he wasn't even feeling 100 percent.

Razorbacks head coach John Calipari told reporters after the game that Acuff had been wearing a walking boot in the days leading up to the showdown against the Crimson Tide. While Calipari didn't specify the exact injury Acuff is dealing with, he said the youngster didn't hesitate to take the floor on Wednesday.

"He was in a boot for two days and still did that," Calipari said, per Nick Schultz of On3.com. "I said, 'Do you think you might have to miss this game?' He said, 'Are you nuts?' He didn't care, hurt, whatever it is. He was in a boot for two days."

BAMA STUNS ARKANSAS IN 2OT 😱

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The heartbreaking loss against No. 25 Alabama ended a three-game win streak for No. 20 Arkansas, but Acuff was the star of the night. Per Tyler Glasscock of 247Sports, the freshman's career-high 49 points were "the second most in a game in program history, the most in an SEC game in program history, the most by a freshman in program history and the most by a freshman against a ranked opponent in college basketball history." He also broke the Arkansas freshman scoring record in the first half of Wednesday's game.

"He's unique and special, and I would imagine everybody saw it today," Calipari said of Acuff. "His body language, his ability to make everybody better, his will to win and make big baskets. He thrives in that, and there's not many. I've coached some really good guards over the years, and I've had a few this way, but he's right there with them."

Acuff has already been named SEC Freshman of the Week seven times this season, a new conference record. It can be expected that an eighth award is on the way, especially if he keeps up his hot shooting when Arkansas tries to get back on track at home against Missouri on Saturday.