Arkansas
Analyzing Arkansas’ 72-59 loss at Auburn
Frustration was the central theme in the course of the post-game interviews with Arkansas guard Anthony Black and fourth-year coach Eric Musselman on Saturday evening after the No. 13 Razorbacks’ 72-59 loss at No. 22 Auburn.
For the second time in as many SEC street video games, Arkansas struggled mightily on the offensive finish. And defensively, the Razorbacks, who entered the weekend No. 5 within the nation from an effectivity standpoint, allowed Tigers guards Wendell Inexperienced and Allen Flanigan to attain 37 mixed factors.
Arkansas dropped to 12-3 total and 1-2 in league video games forward of Wednesday’s house matchup in opposition to Alabama, which may soar into the highest 5 of The Related Press High 25 ballot on Monday after a pair of blowout wins this week.
Black, the Razorbacks’ 6-7 freshman guard, exhibited Saturday the identical take-over-the-offense mentality he had for stretches whereas Arkansas was on the Maui Invitational. He completed with a game-high 23 factors at Auburn.
Black knocked down 5 of 11 pictures and 13 of 16 makes an attempt on the free-throw line behind 7 drawn fouls. The freshman scored 13 of the Razorbacks’ first 16 factors after halftime.
Arkansas’ offensive frustrations had been lots. The shortage of complementary mess around Black was obtrusive, notably from a scoring perspective, and the Razorbacks did not convert at a ample price at any degree of the ground.
Extra from WholeHogSports: Musselman, Black focus on Razorbacks’ loss at Auburn | Recap: Hogs fall at Auburn regardless of Black’s 23-point effort
Past the arc, Arkansas hit simply 2 of 16 makes an attempt. The two threes made matched a season low.
On the free-throw line, the Razorbacks had been 19 of 32, and 6 of 16 outdoors of Black. They’re now taking pictures 61.5% on the line by means of three SEC video games.
And, final however not least, Arkansas was 16 of 33 within the painted space. StatBroadcast information reveals Musselman’s group was 7 of twenty-two on lay-up makes an attempt and scored solely 8 second-chance factors after grabbing 17 offensive rebounds.
Tigers ahead Johni Broome, who had 10 factors and 10 rebounds, contributed to a number of the points across the rim with 6 blocks.
“These additional possessions aren’t assured, so, to start with, we’ve bought to say good job to the bigs for getting these additional probabilities. However we’ve bought to complete them,” Black mentioned. “I feel we actually beat ourselves tonight. I imply, Auburn is a stable staff, however I feel we actually beat ourselves, to be trustworthy.”
Past Black, Wichita State switch Ricky Council was the one Razorback to attain in double figures. He added 14 factors, however on 5 of 15 from the ground, together with 3 of 9 on two-point makes an attempt.
For Council, it was one other evening within the SEC during which he lacked effectivity. In three convention video games in opposition to LSU, Missouri and Auburn, he has hit 11 of 31 appears contained in the arc and 5 of 18 three-point makes an attempt.
Council led Arkansas with 9 first-half factors, however there was no huge particular person second-half push like he supplied Wednesday in opposition to Missouri. Averaging 10.8 second-half factors by means of 14 video games, per CBB Analytics, he added 5 factors on 2 of 8 from the ground Saturday.
“We’re taking part in in opposition to higher expertise,” Musselman mentioned when requested about Council’s offense of late. “You’re going up in opposition to some size and a number of the greatest defensive groups within the nation. You’ve bought to maneuver with out the ball and determine find out how to rating throughout the board.
“We’re not getting as many basket cuts as we have now prior to now. We’re doing the identical drills. You’ve bought to determine when your shot isn’t falling find out how to get some simple baskets off of studying the protection.”
Given Arkansas shot 33.9% as a staff, extra gamers than simply Council discovered it troublesome to fall right into a rhythm on offense. Freshman wing Jordan Walsh completed 2 of 10 taking pictures, guard Davonte Davis was 1 of 5, and ahead Jalen Graham was 2 of 6 from the ground and 1 of 5 on the line.
Extra from WholeHogSports: South Florida switch Antonio Grier publicizes he will probably be a Razorback
Walsh’s and ahead Makhi Mitchell’s six factors had been tied for third most on the staff. Black famous that Arkansas was merely far too stagnant in opposition to the Tigers’ zone defense, which had previously been played three possessions all season.
“Guys working relentlessly on their recreation outdoors of observe, that’s bought to enhance, for positive,” Musselman mentioned. “We have now some guys that have to share the basketball a bit bit extra from an offensive standpoint, as a result of we’re struggling to attain the ball. Everyone is aware of it.
“The three-point taking pictures, you’re not simply going to miraculously get up and rapidly grow to be an amazing three-point taking pictures staff, so that you’ve bought to determine different methods to attempt to put factors on the board.”
On the opposite finish, Arkansas, for probably the most half, was unable to disrupt or trouble Auburn. The Tigers dedicated eight turnovers and posted a turnover price of 11.9%, which is the bottom by a Razorbacks opponent this season, per KenPom information.
The location additionally reveals Arkansas is twelfth within the SEC in league video games in defensive turnover price. The Razorbacks are forcing 9.3 turnovers per recreation in convention play.
“The defensive recreation plan has not modified apart from the execution by a few of our guys,” Musselman mentioned. “We had 4 steals tonight, and two of them had been by our energy ahead/heart Kamani Johnson.
“That sort of tells you what our perimeter (defenders) did from a defensive creating turnovers standpoint — not a lot in any respect.”
Arkansas
New address, same issues: Why John Calipari's dismal start at Arkansas mirrors his fall from favor at Kentucky
Give John Calipari credit for stumbling upon a foolproof way to avoid extending his streak of early-round NCAA tournament flameouts.
You can’t get Gohlked again if you’re watching from the couch.
Arkansas is in major jeopardy of missing the NCAA tournament in Calipari’s highly anticipated debut season after an unremarkable non-league showing and a nightmare start to SEC play. The preseason No. 16 Razorbacks lost 78-74 at previously struggling LSU on Tuesday night to fall to 11-6 overall and 0-4 in the SEC.
It was concerning when then-No. 1 Tennessee outclassed Arkansas by 24 in Knoxville on the first Saturday of January. The warning signs grew more ominous when the Razorbacks followed that with back-to-back home losses against nationally ranked Ole Miss and Florida last week. Now it’s full-blown panic time in Hog Country after Arkansas went to Baton Rouge for an apparent get-right game against one of the SEC’s only non-NCAA tournament contenders and somehow lost that too.
Despite playing without its third- and fourth-leading scorers due to injury, LSU erased deficits of 12 points late in the first half and eight points a few minutes into the second half. The Tigers (12-5, 1-3) built a nine-point lead of their own with less than five minutes to go, then withstood full-court pressure and a late scoring flurry from standout Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland to close out the victory.
Calipari’s postgame news conference Tuesday night was reminiscent of many that he delivered after losses late in his Kentucky tenure. He shouldered the blame for not preparing his team well enough yet offered few specifics regarding adjustments he intended to make.
Twice, Calipari told reporters in Baton Rouge, “I’ve got to do a better job with my team.” Later, he described himself as disappointed he’s “not getting through to these guys” and claimed he “may have to drag them to the finish line in some of these close games.”
There’s still time for Arkansas to dig its way out of this midseason hole, but the Razorbacks’ road to the NCAA tournament is uphill and obstacle-laden. A neutral-court victory over Michigan is Arkansas’ lone Quadrant 1 or 2 victory this season in seven opportunities. The Razorbacks’ second-best win of the season is … Lipscomb? Troy? Maybe 4-13 ACC doormat Miami?
The historic strength of the SEC could be Arkansas’ salvation or demise. On one hand, plenty of chances for marquee victories remain in a league with nine teams in the current AP Top 25. On the other hand, per Ken Pomeroy, the Razorbacks will only be favored in five of their remaining 14 conference games. At this point, Arkansas is more likely to finish in the bottom third of the SEC than to make the NCAA tournament.
That Calipari’s former program is flourishing in his absence only highlights Arkansas’ struggles. Kentucky coach Mark Pope didn’t inherit a single returning player from Calipari, yet the roster he rebuilt on the fly via the transfer portal is 14-3 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. Fueled by its sleek, modern offense, Kentucky boasts impressive victories over Duke, Gonzaga, Louisville, Florida, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. If the season ended today, the Wildcats would be no worse than a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Deep-pocketed Arkansas boosters envisioned a similar outcome when they plunked down big money to lure Calipari from Kentucky last spring. The fresh start appeared to be a win-win for both parties with Calipari in need of an offramp out of Lexington and Arkansas in search of a jolt of excitement.
Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky was perfect, until it wasn’t. For almost a decade, he fulfilled Big Blue Nation’s wildest dreams. The revolving door of one-and-done talent he recruited won SEC titles, made deep NCAA tournament runs and even captured the 2012 national title. But the program that was two wins away from a historic 40-0 season in 2015 never approached those heights again. The atmosphere in Lexington turned especially toxic after Calipari’s Wildcats lost to 15th-seeded St. Peters in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament and to 14th-seeded Oakland last year.
What observers have since learned is that a fresh start requires more than a change of address and an influx of red blazers and quarter-zip pullovers. You can’t hire a 65-year-old coach, allow him to bring over an assortment of longtime assistants and then expect different results.
Armed with a war chest of NIL money that few other programs could match, Calipari assembled a roster that doesn’t mesh well with one-another or fit the modern game. Fland and fellow perimeter players DJ Wagner, Johnell Davis and Karter Knox can all hit a 3-pointer but are best with the ball in their hands attacking downhill. The spacing gets worse with forward Adou Thiero and center Jonas Aidoo in the frontcourt together, as neither are a threat from 3-point range.
Arkansas is shooting 33.7% from behind the arc as a team and is 248th nationally in percentage of points scored from 3-point range. Opposing defenses can afford to clog driving lanes, pack the paint and dare the Razorbacks to hoist contested jumpers early in the shot clock.
The hallmark of Calipari’s best Kentucky teams were long, athletic defenses that aggressively hounded 3-point shooters yet surrendered nothing easy at the rim. This Arkansas team is better defensively than some of Calipari’s most recent Kentucky teams, but it commits too many fouls and surrenders too many second-chance points to make up for the Razorbacks’ offensive woes.
Against LSU, it also didn’t help that a tough call went against Arkansas at a key juncture of the second half. LSU led 53-52 when referees called this a flagrant foul on Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile. The Razorbacks trailed 58-52 by the time they got the ball back.
How will Arkansas respond to a dismal SEC start made worse by the LSU loss? With effort and energy, Calipari says, despite a difficult upcoming schedule. Arkansas visits Missouri on Saturday, then hosts Georgia and Oklahoma. Matchups with Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Texas and Texas A&M await in February.
“I told them after the game, ‘I’m not cracking so let’s just keep going,’” Calipari said Tuesday.
The Razorbacks have no choice.
Either they turn their disappointing season around now, or Calipari’s debut campaign in Fayetteville will end shy of the NCAA tournament.
Arkansas
UL prepares to face Troy, Arkansas State twice in 11-day stretch
LAFAYETTE — The Louisiana women’s basketball team is off to its best Sun Belt Conference start since 2020, holding a 4-1 record as they aim to replicate the success that led them to a regular-season title just three years ago.
However, the Cajuns face a critical 11-day stretch as the team will take on Arkansas State and Troy twice, both teams boasting potent offenses ranked second and fourth in the conference, respectively.
Head coach Garry Brodhead emphasizes that defense will be the key to weathering this challenging stretch.
“Anytime that you have any type of system, if the kids believe in it, it seems like it works a little bit better or a lot better,” Brodhead said. “On the road, that’s one of the things that we really, really preach. You know, we may not be making shots like we’re capable of… but you can always defend.”
The coach acknowledged the difficulties posed by Arkansas State and Troy, pointing out changes in the Red Wolves’ system, which now prioritizes a faster pace, three-point shooting, and relentless pressing.
“Troy is a tough team to play,” Brodhead added. “Both games will be tough. Can we withstand that, especially from the first game to the second game?”
The Cajuns’ pivotal run begins Wednesday in Jonesboro, where they’ll face Arkansas State at 7 p.m. A strong showing could position Louisiana for second place in the standings, trailing only James Madison.
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Arkansas
Arkansas High School Boys Basketball Scores (1/14/2025)
The Arkansas high school boys basketball season is in full swing, and High School On SI has scores for every team and classification.
Keep track of Arkansas high school boys basketball scores below.
Arkansas high school boys basketball scores
ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL STATEWIDE SCORES
CLASS 6A
CLASS 5A
CLASS 4A
CLASS 3A
CLASS 2A
CLASS 1A
2024-25 ARKANSAS BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULES: FIND YOUR TEAM
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