Arkansas
What to watch for in Arkansas-South Carolina
FAYETTEVILLE — After three consecutive SEC house video games, Arkansas’ males’s basketball crew is again on the street in league play this weekend.
The Razorbacks will face South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday and look to notch their first street win of the season. Tipoff is ready for two:30 p.m. Central on SEC Community.
Listed here are a handful of issues to look at for:
Can Council proceed his roll?
Following a stretch wherein Ricky Council scored a mixed 12 factors on 5 of 19 from the ground in opposition to Ole Miss and LSU, he has fallen again right into a rhythm of kinds for the Razorbacks.
Council scored a game-high 25 factors at Baylor final Saturday, then pitched in 19 in Tuesday’s 81-70 victory over Texas A&M. He was a spark offensively in opposition to the Aggies, and his quite a few pro-like moments in Waco, Texas, almost led to Arkansas choosing up a marquee win.
Council’s play was spectacular sufficient at Baylor that KenPom.com designated him the sport’s MVP regardless of the Razorbacks falling 67-64.
The bouncy wing has been a problem for opponents to defend of late. Council is flattening his mid-range jumper at a top quality clip and making sufficient threes to present himself shot credibility.
In flip, his perimeter shot pretend has develop into extra of a weapon and created alternatives to drive the ball, which is the energy of his recreation. Minus a number of powerful three-pointers late within the shot clock, Council has largely taken photographs in his wheelhouse and been decisive attacking mismatches.
Although the SEC has numerous gifted particular person defenders, few are outfitted to constantly defend Council 1-on-1 when his deal with — and crossover — is as tight because it has been these days. Search for him to be in assault mode in opposition to the Gamecocks, who’ve allowed three of their final 4 league opponents to make a minimum of 61.5% of two-point makes an attempt.
Whereas spectacular as a scorer within the final week, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman on Thursday gave Council props for his shot creation for teammates. He has 13 assists within the final 3 video games, together with 11 in opposition to LSU and Texas A&M.
“He is studying over-helps and (has) completed an important job getting another teammates concerned with some simple dump-off passes for dunks or spray-out, kick-out three-balls,” Musselman stated. “I believe that is why you are seeing a few of our different gamers enhance their three-point taking pictures, due to (Anthony Black’s) passing and Ricky being a facilitator.”
The Razorbacks scored 1.11 factors per possession with Council on the ground within the final two video games, based on HoopLens knowledge. They usually have made 59.5% of their two-point makes an attempt, partly, due to Council’s creativity as a scorer and passer.
Affect of Makhel Mitchell
Seldom used within the early phases of the season, the 6-10 Rhode Island switch seems with every passing recreation to be rising into a vital a part of the equation in Arkansas’ frontcourt.
It is smart given his mixture of productiveness and toughness.
Makhel Mitchell, on a sore foot, blocked three photographs at Baylor and 7 photographs Tuesday in opposition to Texas A&M, serving as a stout final line of protection for the Razorbacks. The Aggies and Bears, based on HoopLens, shot 34.6% on two-point makes an attempt within the ahead’s 87 defensive possessions.
“He simply makes the most effective of it. Extraordinarily happy with him,” stated ahead Makhi Mitchell, Makhel’s brother. “I believe everyone else on the crew is happy with him, too. He is discovering himself inside this crew.”
Makhel Mitchell is an intriguing participant as a result of he has proven in most appearances to be a deterrent on the inside. He has 9 multi-block outings this season, and 5 have are available Arkansas’ final 7 video games.
Musselman on Tuesday stated the Razorbacks are doing “some distinctive issues” with Makhel Mitchell defensively with reference to his defensive placement. He acted as a goalie of kinds when Arkansas threw its half-court entice at Baylor and Texas A&M.
Having a participant who contributes 7.3 blocks and a couple of.6 steals per 100 possessions performed, based on Sports activities Reference, because the anchor of that defensive look is sound technique. Makhel Mitchell owns a team-best defensive ranking of 93.7 in SEC play.
Makhi Mitchell, per Sports activities Reference, is No. 2 at 98.0.
No crew within the SEC has had two-point area purpose makes an attempt blocked at a better charge in league video games than the Gamecocks — 14.1%, per KenPom. It appears like one other recreation wherein Makhel Mitchell generally is a presence across the rim.
South Carolina missing an enormous who can stretch the ground might enable him to concentrate on defending the lane. Contending with 7-foot heart Josh Grey on the glass will likely be a problem. He has 20 offensive boards within the Gamecocks’ final 4 video games.
GG Jackson and Meechie Johnson
Primarily every little thing South Carolina does offensively entails these two. They’re averaging a mixed 27.7 factors per recreation in SEC play on 27.8 area purpose makes an attempt.
Jackson is a 6-9 do-it-all freshman who has been tasked with shouldering a whole lot of the Gamecocks’ offensive load. Based on KenPom knowledge, he’s third in league-only video games in shot share, making an attempt 33.6% of South Carolina’s area purpose makes an attempt when on the ground.
Jackson is taking pictures beneath 37% on two-point appears to be like and under 27% from three-point vary, however he’s greater than able to giving opponents matches. He scored 30 factors on Auburn on Jan. 21 and 20 at Florida the following day out.
Hoop-Math numbers point out a lot of Jackson’s offense is self-created. Solely 4 of 32 made two-point jumpers have been assisted, and simply 18 of 59 scores on the rim have come straight after a teammate’s go.
However 26 of his 39 three-pointers have been arrange by one other Gamecock, so he is a little more reliant on others in that regard.
“It’ll be necessary for us to find him as quickly as he crosses half courtroom,” Musselman stated. “He’s a three-dimensional scorer within the truth he can submit up, he can offensive rebound (and) he’s bought deep three-point vary. He’s a high-volume shooter.”
Musselman added that Johnson is the table-setter for South Carolina and likewise possesses deep vary. He made 3 of seven threes in Tuesday’s loss to Mississippi State after a 4-of-28 funk past the arc within the earlier 4 video games.
The Ohio State switch has tried 5 two-point appears to be like and seven.4 threes per recreation in SEC play. Arkansas’ perimeter defenders should be on excessive alert when Johnson has possession past the arc.
His fearless shot-taking can overwhelm the Gamecocks’ offense, but it surely additionally keyed the crew’s win at Kentucky.
Producing turnovers and simple scores
Arkansas, based on KenPom knowledge, posted two of its 4 lowest defensive turnover charges of the season in opposition to Baylor and Texas A&M.
In the meantime, South Carolina recorded its worst offensive turnover share of the season earlier this week in opposition to Mississippi State (28.5%). The Gamecocks are final in league-only video games in that class, giving the ball away on 21.2% of possessions.
Ought to the Razorbacks be capable of disrupt a struggling South Carolina offense by means of taking part in passing lanes and making use of nice strain on the ball, it will go a great distance towards getting within the win column on the street and constructing confidence forward of Tuesday’s journey to Kentucky.
Jackson and Johnson are averaging 6.5 turnovers per recreation in convention play, and so they mixed for 22 miscues within the final two video games.
Based on CBB Analytics, Arkansas is averaging 8.8 factors off turnovers in street video games, down from 19.6 in house video games and 20.8 on impartial flooring.
The Razorbacks, although, scored 21 fast-break factors Tuesday in opposition to the Aggies. It was their highest complete in a recreation since including 23 in opposition to San Jose State on Dec. 3.
Arkansas has not scored greater than seven fast-break factors in a street recreation. Working when alternatives current themselves may benefit the Razorbacks in opposition to a crew exterior the highest 300 nationally in tempo.
Arkansas
Fed report: Arkansas’ economic expansion continued in December | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas’ economic expansion continued in the last months of 2024 and positions the state to continue building momentum as the year opens, according to a regional economic analysis released Wednesday.
Nevertheless, rising prices could hinder growth and business executives are worried about persisting inflation and the potential economic hurdles that tariff increases could create. Christmas holiday sales were uplifting, coming in better than expected and brightening the outlook for 2025.
Sales were helped by a late Thanksgiving that fueled a spending spree and delivered a kickstart to the year, the Federal Reserve Bank reported Wednesday in its Beige Book economic analysis. The report covers 12 regional districts, including Arkansas and surrounding states in the St. Louis district.
“Retailers in our district indicated that December sales were stronger than in previous years,” Charles Gascon, the Fed economist for the Arkansas region, said Wednesday.
Arkansas
Diggs '100% cleared' for big return to Arkansas lineup
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn gave a long-awaited update Wednesday on the status of senior outfielder Kendall Diggs, who suffered a torn labrum during the 2024 season.
Diggs, who exited a game against McNeese State in March with the injury, was hitting .357 at the time before finishing the year with a lowly .229 batting average.
It seems, after an offseason of recovery, the SEC veteran is on track for a major return for the Diamond Hogs.
“He’s 100% cleared to do everything now,” Van Horn said Wednesday. “Now, it’s all about timing at the plate. Getting that bat speed back that he’s had in the past. Seeing live pitching and just feeling confident…now it’s not about him being part of the team, because he’s going to be a big part of the team. It’s just a matter of how soon. We know what he can do when he’s full-go.”
A 6-foot-0, 210-pound lefty hitter from Olathe, Kansas, Diggs was named to the All-SEC Second Team in 2023 after slashing .299/.436/.547 with 12 home runs and a team-high 63 RBIs.
“You look at what (Kendall) has done in the past, he played 50-some games last year with major tears,” Van Horn said. “He’s swinging the bat, he’s going to hit live pitching tomorrow. When I say live pitching, not just batting practice, we’re talking live pitching. So, we’ll see how that goes. He’s a little bit behind, but he’ll get there.”
Even after his 2024 injury, many expected Diggs to be selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, and his return gave Arkansas another competitive piece in a loaded outfield full of transfer portal additions.
“He’s stronger than ever, even with the shoulder injury,” Van Horn said. “He’s had a chance to work on his lower half and he’s a full-grown man now. It’s time to go, and I think he’s excited about being out there.”
The Razorbacks will open their season Friday, Feb. 14, against Washington State at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
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.
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