Arkansas
SEC Basketball Power Rankings: A new No. 1, LSU beats Arkansas, Mizzou dominates Kentucky
SEC play has formally begun!
Of the 14 groups, 10 have performed their convention openers, whereas the opposite 4 groups (Texas A&M, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt) will open SEC motion on both Tuesday or Wednesday evening.
The primary league motion was fascinating, with LSU beating Arkansas, Mizzou thumping Kentucky and far more.
So how did that influence our weekly energy rankings? Listed below are our first rankings of all 14 SEC males’s hoops groups of the 2023 calendar yr:
14. Vanderbilt (7-6 general, 0-0 in SEC, Final week: 14)
It feels unusual to say this, however Tuesday evening’s sport in Nashville between South Carolina and Vanderbilt is must-see TV. If the Commodores can’t win this one, they won’t win an SEC sport all yr. After Tuesday evening’s house sport, the Commodores go to No. 20 Mizzou and No. 8 Tennessee. Then, house video games towards No. 13 Arkansas and No. 7 Alabama await. Brutal.
13. South Carolina (7-6, 0-0, LW: 13)
Can South Carolina begin SEC play with a bang? As talked about above, the Gamecocks head to Nashville on Tuesday evening to tackle the Commodores in a sport that might resolve the worst group within the convention. GG Jackson might want to have an enormous evening to win on the highway. We’ll see what occurs for the Gamecocks, however this is able to be a very nice win to construct confidence shifting ahead.
12. Ole Miss (8-5, 0-1, LW: 12)
Ole Miss performed nice protection and led by 6 towards Tennessee at halftime within the SEC opener, however issues went south within the second half of the Rebels’ 63-59 loss. Ole Miss made solely 37.3% of its photographs from the ground, regardless that Jaemyn Brakefield’s 18-point effort was a brilliant spot. Matthew Murrell went 1-for-11 from the ground, and that damage the Rebels in an enormous means. We’ll see if they’ll get their main scorer going at Alabama on Tuesday evening.
11. Florida (7-6, 0-1, LW: 11)
It’s loopy to suppose that the second sport in SEC play might be a must-win contest, however that’s mainly the place the Gators are at this level. They’ll host Texas A&M on Wednesday evening, and falling to 0-2 in league motion after an unsightly loss at Auburn final week gained’t sit nicely with followers. The Gators made solely 3 of their 19 3-point makes an attempt (15.8%) towards the Tigers. If they’ll’t shoot the deep ball extra constantly, they’re not going to win many video games, even when Colin Castleton has a superb evening.
10. Kentucky (9-4, 0-1, LW: 9)
Lastly, the Kentucky Wildcats aren’t ranked within the AP Ballot. Primarily based on outcomes this season, this group shouldn’t have been within the prime 25 for a few weeks now. After a blowout loss at Mizzou to open SEC play, voters lastly seemed previous the identify on the entrance of the jersey and dropped the Wildcats out of the highest 25. Will this spark John Calipari to make some much-needed modifications to Kentucky’s offense? Primarily based on latest historical past, most likely not. And that’s solely going to harm the Wildcats shifting ahead. There’s loads of expertise on this roster, however a brand new offensive system is required to unlock Kentucky’s full potential.
9. Texas A&M (8-5, 0-0, LW: 10)
Texas A&M heads to Gainesville to play a determined Florida group (as talked about above) to start out SEC play on Wednesday evening. This can be a huge probability for Buzz Williams and firm to make an announcement and rating a highway win in convention play towards a struggling Gators squad. Perimeter protection goes to be a key to this sport. If the Aggies can hold Florida’s 3-point struggles going, they’ll have an amazing probability to win.
8. Georgia (10-3, 0-0, LW: 8)
Ought to the Bulldogs actually be No. 8 in these rankings? I don’t know. Perhaps I’m simply impressed with the job Mike White has already accomplished at Georgia, digging this program out of unimaginable depths. Nonetheless, the Dawgs haven’t actually overwhelmed anybody of word exterior of Notre Dame. That’ll change this week, as they play No. 22 Auburn in Athens on Wednesday evening. Auburn has seemed flawed at instances this yr, so it’s an enormous sport for Georgia!
7. Mississippi State (11-2, 0-1, LW: 7)
I gained’t overreact an excessive amount of to Mississippi State’s SEC-opening loss to an elite Alabama group, however I do must see extra from the Bulldogs’ protection, and shortly. Going to Knoxville for a sport towards No. 8 Tennessee on Tuesday evening seems powerful on paper, however the Vols’ offense has additionally been susceptible to struggles at instances. All I do know is that I’ll be betting the underneath for whole factors within the Mississippi State-Tennessee sport. Anticipate a rock struggle on Rocky High.
6. Auburn (11-2, 1-0, LW: 6)
Auburn didn’t look nice towards Florida to open SEC play, however a win is a win, even if you happen to shoot 3-for-14 (21.4%) from 3-point vary. Wendell Inexperienced Jr. and Johni Broome each had 14 factors, although, as they proceed to develop as group leaders. A highway journey to Georgia on Wednesday evening gained’t be as straightforward because it has been in years previous, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a sport the Tigers ought to win forward of a Saturday house sport towards No. 13 Arkansas.
5. Arkansas (11-2, 0-1, LW: 1)
Arkansas could have had a setback at LSU to open SEC play, however that is nonetheless a harmful group. Don’t count on the Hogs to go 4-for-25 (16%) from 3-point vary fairly often. It’s price noting that the Razorbacks began SEC play 0-3 final yr earlier than roaring again and occurring one other spectacular NCAA Event run. Don’t rely Eric Musselman’s group out but! Getting star freshman Nick Smith Jr. again from an harm quickly will likely be essential.
4. Mizzou (12-1, 1-0, LW: 4)
The Recreation of the Week within the SEC is probably going the Tigers’ Wednesday evening showdown towards rival Arkansas in Fayetteville. Successful at Bud Walton is not any straightforward activity, however the Tigers are enjoying some assured basketball proper now. If Arkansas can’t decelerate Kobe Brown, who has scored 61 factors mixed in his previous 2 video games towards Illinois and Kentucky, Mizzou might hold the nice instances going. Irrespective of who wins this one, although, the two faculties will meet once more in Columbia on Jan. 18.
3. LSU (12-1, 1-0, LW: 5)
LSU didn’t face the hardest nonconference schedule, so many have been hesitant concerning the Tigers’ probabilities towards Arkansas to open SEC play. Trae Hannibal and Derek Fountain stepped up, although, combining for 35 factors and 16 rebounds in LSU’s 60-57 house win. Hannibal even earned SEC Participant of the Week honors for his efforts. A win at Kentucky on Tuesday evening would get loads of folks on the LSU bandwagon shifting ahead.
2. Tennessee (11-2, 1-0, LW: 3)
The excellent news? Tennessee’s protection continues to be elite. The unhealthy information? The offense hasn’t fairly discovered its highest gear but. The Vols have time to work issues out on that finish of the ground, however Tuesday evening’s sport towards one other sturdy defensive group in Mississippi State might be a low-scoring affair. Anticipate the Vols to seek out their taking pictures stroke at South Carolina on Saturday and vs. Vanderbilt subsequent Tuesday forward of subsequent weekend’s showdown towards Kentucky on Rocky High.
1. Alabama (11-2, 1-0, LW: 2)
Alabama is again within the No. 1 spot after a convincing win at Mississippi State to start out SEC motion. Brandon Miller continues to develop right into a celebrity, recording a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double in his first ever SEC sport. Mark Sears additionally performed nicely, scoring a team-high 20 factors and making 4 of his 8 3-pointers. That is going to be a troublesome group for anybody within the SEC to cease. Ole Miss and Kentucky get the following photographs on the Crimson Tide, on Tuesday and Saturday, respectively. Each video games are in Tuscaloosa.
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.
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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