College basketball fans were buzzing after Arkansas and Alabama gave them an absolute barnburner on a random Wednesday.
Many had high expectations as No. 25 Alabama hosted No. 20 Arkansas for a heavyweight bout at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. But the game went above and beyond as the two teams went into double overtime, with the Crimson Tide outlasting the Razorbacks in a 117-115 affair.
Fans collectively called the matchup the “Game of the Year.”
Game of the Year. pic.twitter.com/hjVmMRC6ge
— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerOn3) February 19, 2026
Arkansas-Alabama is definitely a candidate to be Game of the Year.
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) February 19, 2026
Just spectacular basketball being played.
Game of the year
— PeeWeeDaPlug (@PeeWeeDaPlug) February 19, 2026
Even the official NCAA March Madness account couldn’t help but call Arkansas-Alabama the Game of the Year.
GAME OF THE YEAR ⁉️
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 19, 2026
No. 25 Alabama takes a 2OT THRILLER over No. 20 Arkansas 🐘 pic.twitter.com/Z5UxV3z08c
Arkansas had a chance to tie or potentially win the game in the closing seconds of the second overtime. But Razorbacks star Darius Acuff Jr. overshot his floater attempt, and a putback dunk from backup big man Malique Ewin bounced off the rim.
Bama Wins the possible Game of the year pic.twitter.com/97yyvfvQYC
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) February 19, 2026
Acuff Jr. and Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon Jr. made their respective namesakes proud with arguably the best individual battle of the season. The two projected lottery picks in this year’s NBA draft combined for 84 points.
Acuff was just a point shy of 50 on 16/27 shooting with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He also sank the game-tying three-pointer in regulation, sending the game to a first overtime. Philon countered with 35 points of his own on 11/21 shooting
Darius Acuff with the game-tying three and now 41 points in Tuscaloosa.pic.twitter.com/XUs0uAlEjt
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) February 19, 2026
Excessive fouling may have cost Arkansas the game. The Razorbacks had four players — including three starters — foul out. That left Acuff and senior forward Trevon Brazile with a bunch of bench players down the stretch.
Acuff may have lost Wednesday, but his draft stock likely went through the roof in what’s shaping up to be one of the deepest drafts in decades. His 49 points were the most by a freshman in an Arkansas uniform.
