FAYETTEVILLE — Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl often prefers his group play man-to-man protection, however the Tigers modified issues up towards the College of Arkansas Razorbacks.
The No. 22 Tigers primarily performed a 2-3 zone in beating No. 13 Arkansas 72-59 on Saturday evening in Neville Enviornment.
“That was lots — lots — of zone that we performed,” mentioned Allen Flanigan, Auburn’s senior guard from Little Rock Parkview who had 18 factors and eight rebounds. “That is in all probability the primary time since I have been right here and performed zone just about the entire recreation.”
The zone proved to be extremely efficient for Auburn because the Razorbacks shot 33.9% from the sphere (19 of 56) and 12.5% on three-pointers (2 of 16).
Junior guard Ricky Council hit 2 of 6 three-pointers with the remainder of the Razorbacks going 0 of 10.
“Arkansas is best from two than three, and that little flat 2-3 zone bothered them,” Pearl mentioned. “They actually struggled with it.
“They will see that every one yr lengthy.”
The Razorbacks (12-3, 1-2 SEC) have already got confronted loads of zone protection within the first three convention video games, together with their 60-57 loss at LSU and 74-68 victory over Missouri in Walton Enviornment.
In SEC play, Arkansas is capturing 39.4% from the sphere (69 of 175) and 19.4% on three-pointers (12 of 62).
On the season, the Razorbacks are capturing 28.7% on three-pointers (71 of 247) to rank No. 334 nationally.
The losses of Trevon Brazile and Nick Smith to knee accidents impression Arkansas in some ways, however notably in three-point capturing.
Brazile hit 11 of 29 three-pointers earlier than struggling a season-ending knee harm towards North Carolina-Greensboro. Regardless of enjoying solely 9 of 15 video games, he is third on the group behind Council (17 of 57) and freshman Anthony Black (14 of 43) in three-pointers made.
Smith, who has missed 10 video games and stays out indefinitely and certain till a minimum of the tip of January, in response to Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman, is 6 of 20 on three-pointers — however that was after lacking the primary six video games.
“You are not simply going to miraculously get up and abruptly grow to be an awesome three-point capturing group,” Musselman mentioned. “So you have to work out different methods to attempt to put factors on the board.”
Musselman’s groups have been identified for attending to the free-throw line to attain huge, and the Razorbacks had 32 makes an attempt at Auburn — 10 greater than the Tigers.
However Arkansas hit 19 free throws for 59.4%, and that included Black going 13 of 16.
The Razorbacks hit 5 of 10 free throws of their loss at LSU. They began 5 of 11 from the road towards Missouri earlier than ending 14 of 21 with Council 11 of 13.
“The one factor I do know is you have to get within the gymnasium by yourself,” Musselman mentioned of elevating the chances on free throws and capturing general. “That is one thing that is been a part of our tradition. Guys working relentlessly on their recreation exterior of apply.
“That is obtained to enhance for positive.”
Musselman mentioned the Razorbacks additionally have to do a greater job of sharing the ball and shifting with out it after they’d 9 assists at Auburn in comparison with 14 turnovers.
“We’re enjoying towards higher expertise,” Musselman mentioned of SEC video games. “You are going up towards some size and a few of the greatest defensive groups within the nation.
“Alabama is coming. Have a look at their defensive numbers.”
The No. 7 Crimson Tide (13-2, 3-0) play at Arkansas at 6 p.m. Wednesday after pounding Kentucky 78-52 at residence on Saturday.
Alabama is holding its opponents to 37.8% capturing, together with 27.8% on three-pointers.
“We have talked to our group about making an attempt to be higher cutters,” Musselman mentioned. “As an alternative of simply dribbling the ball, you have to lower.”
Musselman rattled off the names of former Razorbacks Au’Diese Toney, Moses Moody, Justin Smith and Jimmy Whitt as being “nice cutters” to the basket.
“You have to transfer with out the ball and work out learn how to rating throughout the board,” Musselman mentioned. “We’re not getting as many basket cuts as we’ve prior to now.
“We’re doing the identical drills. You have to work out when your shot shouldn’t be falling learn how to get some straightforward baskets off of studying the protection.”
Auburn was forward 36-25 at halftime and led by as many as 15 factors within the second half.
“I imply, simply stagnant,” Black, who led the Razorbacks with 23 factors, mentioned of the offensive struggles. “We actually had a foul first half to be sincere. I feel as soon as we obtained in that gap, they may simply zone us and sort of not play aggressive.”
One plus for Arkansas was out-rebounding Auburn 45-23, however with 17 offensive rebounds the Razorbacks obtained solely eight second-chance factors. They shot 7 of twenty-two on layups in response to statbroadcast.com.
Johni Broome, the Tigers’ 6-10 sophomore switch from Morehead (Ky.) State, had 10 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 blocked pictures. His presence made it more durable for the Razorbacks to complete inside.
“Clearly, he is among the finest shot blockers within the nation,” Musselman mentioned. “He did an awesome job defending the rim for them for positive.”
Arkansas wasn’t capable of get many factors in transition as a result of the Tigers had a season-low eight turnovers. They’d a 25-6 benefit in factors off of turnovers over the Razorbacks.
However Auburn’s zone protection was the Razorbacks’ greatest drawback.
“We simply constructed a wall and performed in another way than what we have been enjoying, and that was the way in which to beat them,” Pearl mentioned. “They by no means had been capable of successfully assault.
“No matter we had been doing defensively did not permit them to return again, and we did not flip the ball over and create straightforward offense for them.
“I do know it is easy, however truthfully, that is it.”
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