Beyond the box: Veteran leadership key in Arkansas’ win over SDSU

Kamani Johnson possible received’t end within the high six or seven on the Arkansas roster in minutes performed.

However the 19 he was on the court docket Wednesday had been of large significance within the Razorbacks’ 78-74 time beyond regulation win over San Diego State within the third-place recreation of the Maui Invitational.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9 ahead, is the sort of participant from the old fashioned. He’s a rough-and-tumble publish participant who received’t take many jumpers – or many pictures in any respect – and whose worth comes from battling on the block.

These sorts of gamers aren’t en vogue in basketball, however Wednesday confirmed there’s nonetheless a spot for them. Arkansas coach Eric Musselman leaned on his massive man within the late going, with Johnson’s toughness and management proving paramount for a Hogs crew with solely two returners.

Let’s have a look past the field rating at how Arkansas got here away with the victory.

Kamani Johnson has grown up a bit

Mar 16, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks ahead Kamani Johnson (20) with the ball throughout apply earlier than the primary spherical of the 2022 NCAA Event at KeyBank Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports activities

Johnson had solely performed three of Arkansas’ earlier 5 video games getting into Wednesday’s in opposition to San Diego State. An absence of consistency was largely the wrongdoer. However Johnson noticed key minutes, particularly down the stretch, in opposition to the Aztecs.

If he can ship seven factors and 7 rebounds a recreation – and even 5 and 5 – in minutes that register within the excessive teenagers all season, Johnson’s expertise (he’s one in every of solely two returning regulars on the Arkansas roster) might be invaluable.

Arkansas’ aggression was a key

LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: Anthony Black #0 of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts after making a basket within the second half of the sport in opposition to the Creighton Bluejays in the course of the Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Heart on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Picture by Darryl Oumi/Getty Pictures)

Arkansas followers weren’t the one ones upset with the officiating within the semifinals of the Maui Invitational in opposition to Creighton.

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The Hogs determined the free-throw discrepancy that struck them in opposition to Bluejays wouldn’t once more versus San Diego State. Arkansas was 27 of 38 from the free-throw line contrasted in opposition to the Aztecs’ 18 of 23 evening. The Hogs’ athleticism will likely be of utmost vital when SEC play rolls round.

Arkansas wasn’t essentially higher, however the Hogs had combat

LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks takes a leap shot within the second half of the sport in opposition to the Creighton Bluejays in the course of the Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Heart on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Picture by Darryl Oumi/Getty Pictures)

Pretty much as good as the sport in opposition to Creighton was, the third-place recreation Wednesday was much less to have a look at it. Arkansas shot simply 40% from the ground and SDSU was 44%. The groups mixed to go 5 for 35 from 3-point vary, too.

However Arkansas received the rebounding recreation, second-chance factors, fastbreak factors and blocked pictures. The margins had been razor skinny, however they’re margins that helped in an time beyond regulation victory.

Story initially appeared on Razorbacks Wire