A Case of Deja Vu Might Not be Worst Thing for Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –  Not a lot has modified since Arkansas hosted Missouri on Jan. 6 in Bud Walton Enviornment.

Arkansas was coming off a surprising upset to LSU in an SEC highway recreation that on paper regarded like it could be a very good likelihood at momentum. The subject of the day was Mississippi State making an attempt to lure away offensive coordinator Kendall Briles. 

On the finish of the evening, the dialogue was how Arkansas carried out in opposition to Missouri’s zone protection.

So right here we’re 11 days later and Arkansas is coming off an SEC highway loss to Vanderbilt that regarded like it could be a very good likelihood at constructing momentum on paper. The subject of the day is the reported mutual curiosity between Briles and TCU for the offensive coordinator place vacated by Garrett Riley after the nationwide championship recreation.

On the finish of the evening on Wednesday, the dialogue goes to be how the Razorbacks carry out in opposition to Missouri’s zone protection. That’s except Tigers’ soccer coach Eli Drinkwitz reveals up and does one thing unusual that upstages every thing taking place on the ground.

Nevertheless, if historical past goes to repeat itself, then Eric Musselman is likely to be OK with that. 

Arkansas wants a win nevertheless it may well get it proper now.

Two issues stand out from that recreation past the shock efficiency of Joseph Pinion. 

1. Jordan Walsh performed with confidence.

2. Arkansas moved the ball rather well.

Halfway by the primary half, Arkansas trailed 25-8. It was trying bleak at finest.

Nevertheless, Walsh was calm. He labored his solution to the center of the lane, knocked down just a few mid-range jumpers and was aggressive on the glass to get Arkansas shifting in the suitable route. 

Walsh was the calm within the storm that settled everybody else down and bought the ball rolling. Davonte Davis discovered a spark, Kamani Johnson did what Kamani Johnson does when he is feeling it, and Pinion performed out of his thoughts.

By halftime, Arkansas had practically evened issues up whereas setting the desk for Ricky Council to take over within the second half. It was a win that, had it not laid the blueprint for how one can rattle the Razorbacks defensively, wold have been the bounce the workforce wanted to make an early SEC run.

The second factor that stood out was how nicely Arkansas moved the ball. The guards discovered small creases within the zone by fast, crisp passing that arrange a wide range of mid-range photographs and lay-ups.  

As efficient because the zone was, the insane velocity at which Arkansas moved the ball created moments of area for the Razorbacks to get a shot off. 

Nevertheless, that is the place the priority lies going into Wednesday evening. Confidence has dissipated with key Razorback shooters to the purpose that extensive open photographs are handed up not with momentary delay, however extended pause.

If Arkansas is to tug off a win in Columbia, all of the demons of the previous two weeks which are haunting this workforce should be put aside. A gap has to generate a shot with out hesitancy. 

The ultimate piece of the puzzle must be producing possessions. That is how Arkansas pulled out the win in opposition to Missouri and it is likely to be the important thing to clawing out a good report going ahead.

The Razorbacks out-rebounded the Tigers 40-23. Scrapping for rebounds and forcing turnovers to create further shot alternatives.

It is fairly simple arithmetic. If a workforce pulls down 17 extra rebounds than the opponent and provides in 10 turnovers, that is 27 further possessions. Even when Arkansas has a extremely off evening and solely shoots 40% from the ground, that is at worst 22 further factors. 

That is like discovering an additional $200 within the sofa cushions on hire day. 

That sort of work not solely generates factors, it creates vitality and confidence. 

A blue collar deal with being scrappy is how this workforce lastly finds its id and profitable edge if it is going to occur this 12 months.

That is a great distance from the continuous, high-flying spotlight reel workforce that walked onto the courtroom for follow this previous summer season. 

However, if these younger males modify their mindset, retrain their brains, they will develop into one thing nice. 

It could not refill Sportscenter segments, however it would refill the win column.

Similar to the 2 groups earlier than.

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