FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Interstat) — A pivotal Southeastern Conference men’s basketball clash with postseason implications is set for Saturday when the Missouri Tigers visit the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Both teams enter with momentum from thrilling victories last Wednesday. Missouri (18-8, 8-5 SEC) edged Vanderbilt 81-80 behind 16 points from guard T.O. Barrett. Arkansas (19-7, 9-4) fell in a double-overtime epic at Alabama, 117-115, despite a heroic 49-point performance from star guard Darius Acuff Jr. The matchup features two of the league’s most dynamic guards. Barrett has been a consistent force for the Tigers, averaging 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists over his last seven games. Acuff, however, is playing at a historic level, averaging 30.7 points and 5.6 assists in that same stretch, including four games of 28 or more points. The game carries significant weight in the crowded SEC standings. Arkansas currently sits in a tie for third, while Missouri is just one game back in fifth. A win for the Razorbacks would solidify their position near the top of the league and bolster their case for a high NCAA tournament seed. For the Tigers, a road victory against a ranked opponent would represent a major resume boost. Arkansas will aim to leverage its home-court advantage, where it is 13-1 this season, with the only loss coming to Kentucky. Missouri has proven resilient on the road in conference play, securing key wins at Texas A&M and South Carolina in February. The teams will meet again in Columbia, Missouri, on March 7, adding another layer to Saturday’s contest. First, they must navigate a high-stakes battle where guard play and late-game execution will likely decide the outcome.