Arkansas Scouting Report

[Hey Adrien!]

Arkansas: 22-13
KenPom Rating: 18
NET ranking: 21
4-10 vs Q1 ; 4-2 vs Q2
Record without Trevon Brazile (14-13)​

Best Win

• 3/18/23 72-71 v Kansas
  • Davis, 25 points on 9-15 FGs
  • Council IV, 21 points on 10-11 FTs

Worst Loss:

• 1/14/23 97-84 to Vanderbilt
  • Vanderbilt shot 50.0 2p% and 55.6 3p%

OFFENSE: 50th in efficiency​

• 23rd in FT rate (39.1%)
  • Black 62nd in the nation
  • Council 135th in the nation
• 33rd in preventing blocks
• 62nd with a 53.1 2p%
• 109th in offensive rebounding rate
• 140th in average length of possession (17.3 seconds)
• 179th in turnover prevention
• 240th in A/FGM (48.4%)
• 268th with a 69.6 FT%
• 318th with a 31.3 3p%
  • 348th in 3PA/FGA (27.8%)

DEFENSE: 15th in efficiency​

• 13th in 3PA/FGA (30.3%)
  • 24th in opp. 3P% (30.6%)
• 18th in block rate (13.3%)
  • However their best rim protector, Makhel Mitchell, didn’t play against Kansas due to a groin injury. His brother Makhi, has the 71st best block rate in the nation).
• 25th in steal rate (11.9%)
  • Black 123rd in the nation
  • Walsh 380th in the nation (Johnson has same rate, but not enough minutes to quality)
  • Davis 480th in the nation
• 38th at causing ISO plays
• 48th in opp. 2P% (47.0%)
• 56th quickest opp. Avg. length of possession (17.1 seconds)
• 138th in defensive rebounding rate
• 30th worst in the nation at preventing free-three rate (39.5%)
  • 151st in opp. FT% (71.2%)

Other metrics:

• 14th in average height (6’6 ⅔)
  • All rotation pieces between 6’4 and 6’10
• 263rd in D1 experience (1.53 years)
• 333rd in Minutes Continuity (16.6%)

Across Eric Musselman’s four seasons apiece at Nevada and Arkansas, he has been one of the first practitioners of the transfer portal and embracing the benefits and upside of constant tinkering.

Based on this, there’s some volatility to the types of teams Mussleman rosters, but the constants are tempo and attacking the rim on offense while on defense, his teams are aggressive on-ball defenders that prevent quality shots and are good at rim protection.

His late Nevada teams and first year at Arkansas was a three-point heavy team, but the perimeter offense is almost non-existent with just a quarter of the team’s FGAs from three. Instead, Mussleman focuses on the team’s strengths: athleticism, size and length to generate easy buckets on transition and accentuating each individual’s ISO ability to breakdown the D in one-on-one halfcourt settings.

Arkansas’ D reminds me a bit of Rutgers’ as the Razorbacks and Scarlet Knights both have bigger guards, but Arkansas relies more on each individual’s size, length and ability than a specific defensive scheme. Each player can defend multiple positions, some arguably every position (Anthony Black can defend the 1 to small ball 5), especially their rim protectors who can all comfortably stretch out and hedge at the perimeter.

That versatility allows the Razorbacks to have one of the best perimeter defenses in the nation. However, with the freakishly athletic 6’10 212 Trevon Brazile (also one of their best shooters and an elite defender) ending his season in December with a knee injury and 6’10 240 elite rim protector Makhel Mitchell missing last game against Kansas due to a groin injury, that leaves Arkansas’ big rotation depth to be tested. More on that later.

Since UConn’s bigs have been dominant this March Madness and Arkansas’ bigs have depth issues, let me start there. As mentioned earlier, Arkansas’ starter Brazile was injured in December and that greatly affected their Final Four aspirations as Brazile was arguably their greatest athlete, best defender and capable shooter.

In the wake of his injury, the Mitchell twins, Johnson and Graham have rotated at the 5, with Graham’s PT fading majorly across the last month and Makhel missing last game with a groin injury.

IF Makhel is still injured (their biggest player and best remaining rim protector), it would leave
the 6’9 230 Makhi Mitchell, 6’7 230 Kamani Johnson and 6’9 225 Jalen Graham splitting time at the 5.

Makhi Mtichell is their best remaining big. He is less of a conventional big man than his brother, but more athletic, versatile and switchable on defense and is still a very gifted rebounder and shot blocker.

The only returning frontcourt option from last year, Johnson is the team’s best rebounder, more of a junkyard dog, blue collar guy who, at 6’7 230, outpositions and outworks on the boards and is basically a non-factor on defense. He kinda reminds me of a poor man’s Jerome Hunter: a team-first forward who will do anything that the coach asks.

Again, IF Makhel is injured, that leaves Makhi as the only remaining big who I feel like can give Sanogo/Clingan trouble and while an important piece to the team, Makhi has only played 30 or more minutes four times this season. Bottom line, there’s a clear advantage for UConn at the 5 spot: they took advantage of this both in the Iona and Saint Mary’s games…if it ain’t broke and there’s a matchup advantage take on that offer all day.

The remaining rotation pieces are interchangeable guards/wings that are each somewhere between 6’4 185 and 6’7 205 and fill out some combination of the 1 through 4 spots.

I’m going to lump Ricky Council and Anthony Black together due to their similar size and propensity to do most of their work inside the arc to take advantage of their elite ability to draw fouls and get to the line.

The Sixth Man of the Year for Wichita State last season, Council has been even better at Arkansas. A ball-dominant wing, Council uses his excellent vision to penetrate space and find open teammates when needed. However, like many SMOTY winners, most of his value is on the offense and is arguably the weakest starter on defense.

Conversely, Black is arguably the team’s best defender who could comfortably guard any of our non-bigs. As the team’s de facto “point wing” (he played point guard in pick and roll situations in high school) he has elite vision, handle and passing ability, but is a poor shooter and is prone to choosing the riskier and flashy play over the safe play (highest turnover rate on the team).

Entering the season as 247’s top rated recruit, Nick Smith has had a bit of an up and down season due to injuries that cost him the first seven games of the season and all of January (knee). There have been some fireworks lately (26 points against Georgia, 24 points against Alabama and 25 points against Kentucky), but Smith has scored a total of six points in his two March Madness games, shooting 2-14 from the field.

Smith’s pro upside is tantalizing and he has the ability to play hero ball, generating offense by making difficult shots, but, like Aidan Mahaney of Saint Mary’s, has seemed to have played differently and less effectively under the spotlight of March Madness.

The team’s longest tenured player, Davonte Davis is Arkansas’ only upperclassman who has played all of his seasons with the Razorbacks. After a solid, but unspectacular, start to his college career, Davis is starting to look like a very good four-year college player whose strength is perimeter defense, but he does enough on offense (no major strengths or weaknesses) to be a versatile 2-guard. Most notably, Davis has made major strides in his three-point shot, converting at a 34.6% clip this season after shooting a combined 25.3% across his first two seasons.

Last, but not least, is Jordan Walsh, who is arguably Arkansas’ best pure athlete and has developed into the team’s ultimate glue guy, despite entering the season as a five-star recruit. While Saint Mary’s Kyle Bowen is an elite defender due to his strength and positioning, Walsh is a rangy, tough 4 who, like Black, can easily defend any of our non-bigs.

Between Arkansas’ ability to not only get to the line, but make it easy for opponents to get to the line, this could be Tristen Newton’s game to generate fouls and use his length to guard Arkansas’ backcourt. For the same reason, Hassan Diarra could play up on Thursday, both thanks to his length, defensive grit and ability to get to the line.

However, as mentioned numerous times, I see, yet again, a clear advantage for UConn’s bigs. They’re bigger and stronger than Arkansas’ bigs and Kansas’ bigs.

Of course, Andre Jackson’s size and defensive versatility will be massive in guarding Ricky Council. Kansas’ Kevin McCullar had the task of guarding Council last game. He’s an excellent defender, but battled foul trouble all game.

Simply put, UConn is clearly the favored team, but Arkansas is a uniquely positionless, athletic defensive squad that will not be an easy out.

KenPom’s prediction: UConn wins 75-69

Note from the office: I will be away from my computer Tuesday, March 21st throughout Friday, March 24th while I will be in Arizona visiting in-laws. My lovely mother-in-law is planning our Thursday around the 4:10 tip time in Arizona. God bless her. Thank you for The Boneyard.

 

[firstnline]

This is a treasure trove of info. Thanks for posting

 

[aburks41]

Draw fouls, feed Adama/Clingan, and destroy them on the offensive glass. That's the gameplan

 

[Son of Robert]

Arkansas: 22-13
KenPom Rating: 18
NET ranking: 21
4-10 vs Q1 ; 4-2 vs Q2
Record without Trevon Brazile (14-13)​

Best Win

• 3/18/23 72-71 v Kansas
  • Davis, 25 points on 9-15 FGs
  • Council IV, 21 points on 10-11 FTs

Worst Loss:

• 1/14/23 97-84 to Vanderbilt
  • Vanderbilt shot 50.0 2p% and 55.6 3p%

OFFENSE: 50th in efficiency​

• 23rd in FT rate (39.1%)
  • Black 62nd in the nation
  • Council 135th in the nation
• 33rd in preventing blocks
• 62nd with a 53.1 2p%
• 109th in offensive rebounding rate
• 140th in average length of possession (17.3 seconds)
• 179th in turnover prevention
• 240th in A/FGM (48.4%)
• 268th with a 69.6 FT%
• 318th with a 31.3 3p%
  • 348th in 3PA/FGA (27.8%)

DEFENSE: 15th in efficiency​

• 13th in 3PA/FGA (30.3%)
  • 24th in opp. 3P% (30.6%)
• 18th in block rate (13.3%)
  • However their best rim protector, Makhel Mitchell, didn’t play against Kansas due to a groin injury. His brother Makhi, has the 71st best block rate in the nation).
• 25th in steal rate (11.9%)
  • Black 123rd in the nation
  • Walsh 380th in the nation (Johnson has same rate, but not enough minutes to quality)
  • Davis 480th in the nation
• 38th at causing ISO plays
• 48th in opp. 2P% (47.0%)
• 56th quickest opp. Avg. length of possession (17.1 seconds)
• 138th in defensive rebounding rate
• 30th worst in the nation at preventing free-three rate (39.5%)
  • 151st in opp. FT% (71.2%)

Other metrics:

• 14th in average height (6’6 ⅔)
  • All rotation pieces between 6’4 and 6’10
• 263rd in D1 experience (1.53 years)
• 333rd in Minutes Continuity (16.6%)

Across Eric Musselman’s four seasons apiece at Nevada and Arkansas, he has been one of the first practitioners of the transfer portal and embracing the benefits and upside of constant tinkering.

Based on this, there’s some volatility to the types of teams Mussleman rosters, but the constants are tempo and attacking the rim on offense while on defense, his teams are aggressive on-ball defenders that prevent quality shots and are good at rim protection.

His late Nevada teams and first year at Arkansas was a three-point heavy team, but the perimeter offense is almost non-existent with just a quarter of the team’s FGAs from three. Instead, Mussleman focuses on the team’s strengths: athleticism, size and length to generate easy buckets on transition and accentuating each individual’s ISO ability to breakdown the D in one-on-one halfcourt settings.

Arkansas’ D reminds me a bit of Rutgers’ as the Razorbacks and Scarlet Knights both have bigger guards, but Arkansas relies more on each individual’s size, length and ability than a specific defensive scheme. Each player can defend multiple positions, some arguably every position (Anthony Black can defend the 1 to small ball 5), especially their rim protectors who can all comfortably stretch out and hedge at the perimeter.

That versatility allows the Razorbacks to have one of the best perimeter defenses in the nation. However, with the freakishly athletic 6’10 212 Trevon Brazile (also one of their best shooters and an elite defender) ending his season in December with a knee injury and 6’10 240 elite rim protector Makhel Mitchell missing last game against Kansas due to a groin injury, that leaves Arkansas’ big rotation depth to be tested. More on that later.

View attachment 85404

Since UConn’s bigs have been dominant this March Madness and Arkansas’ bigs have depth issues, let me start there. As mentioned earlier, Arkansas’ starter Brazile was injured in December and that greatly affected their Final Four aspirations as Brazile was arguably their greatest athlete, best defender and capable shooter.

In the wake of his injury, the Mitchell twins, Johnson and Graham have rotated at the 5, with Graham’s PT fading majorly across the last month and Makhel missing last game with a groin injury.

IF Makhel is still injured (their biggest player and best remaining rim protector), it would leave
the 6’9 230 Makhi Mitchell, 6’7 230 Kamani Johnson and 6’9 225 Jalen Graham splitting time at the 5.

Makhi Mtichell is their best remaining big. He is less of a conventional big man than his brother, but more athletic, versatile and switchable on defense and is still a very gifted rebounder and shot blocker.

The only returning frontcourt option from last year, Johnson is the team’s best rebounder, more of a junkyard dog, blue collar guy who, at 6’7 230, outpositions and outworks on the boards and is basically a non-factor on defense. He kinda reminds me of a poor man’s Jerome Hunter: a team-first forward who will do anything that the coach asks.

Again, IF Makhel is injured, that leaves Makhi as the only remaining big who I feel like can give Sanogo/Clingan trouble and while an important piece to the team, Makhi has only played 30 or more minutes four times this season. Bottom line, there’s a clear advantage for UConn at the 5 spot: they took advantage of this both in the Iona and Saint Mary’s games…if it ain’t broke and there’s a matchup advantage take on that offer all day.

The remaining rotation pieces are interchangeable guards/wings that are each somewhere between 6’4 185 and 6’7 205 and fill out some combination of the 1 through 4 spots.

I’m going to lump Ricky Council and Anthony Black together due to their similar size and propensity to do most of their work inside the arc to take advantage of their elite ability to draw fouls and get to the line.

The Sixth Man of the Year for Wichita State last season, Council has been even better at Arkansas. A ball-dominant wing, Council uses his excellent vision to penetrate space and find open teammates when needed. However, like many SMOTY winners, most of his value is on the offense and is arguably the weakest starter on defense.

Conversely, Black is arguably the team’s best defender who could comfortably guard any of our non-bigs. As the team’s de facto “point wing” (he played point guard in pick and roll situations in high school) he has elite vision, handle and passing ability, but is a poor shooter and is prone to choosing the riskier and flashy play over the safe play (highest turnover rate on the team).

Entering the season as 247’s top rated recruit, Nick Smith has had a bit of an up and down season due to injuries that cost him the first seven games of the season and all of January (knee). There have been some fireworks lately (26 points against Georgia, 24 points against Alabama and 25 points against Kentucky), but Smith has scored a total of six points in his two March Madness games, shooting 2-14 from the field.

Smith’s pro upside is tantalizing and he has the ability to play hero ball, generating offense by making difficult shots, but, like Aidan Mahaney of Saint Mary’s, has seemed to have played differently and less effectively under the spotlight of March Madness.

The team’s longest tenured player, Davonte Davis is Arkansas’ only upperclassman who has played all of his seasons with the Razorbacks. After a solid, but unspectacular, start to his college career, Davis is starting to look like a very good four-year college player whose strength is perimeter defense, but he does enough on offense (no major strengths or weaknesses) to be a versatile 2-guard. Most notably, Davis has made major strides in his three-point shot, converting at a 34.6% clip this season after shooting a combined 25.3% across his first two seasons.

Last, but not least, is Jordan Walsh, who is arguably Arkansas’ best pure athlete and has developed into the team’s ultimate glue guy, despite entering the season as a five-star recruit. While Saint Mary’s Kyle Bowen is an elite defender due to his strength and positioning, Walsh is a rangy, tough 4 who, like Black, can easily defend any of our non-bigs.

Between Arkansas’ ability to not only get to the line, but make it easy for opponents to get to the line, this could be Tristen Newton’s game to generate fouls and use his length to guard Arkansas’ backcourt. For the same reason, Hassan Diarra could play up on Thursday, both thanks to his length, defensive grit and ability to get to the line.

However, as mentioned numerous times, I see, yet again, a clear advantage for UConn’s bigs. They’re bigger and stronger than Arkansas’ bigs and Kansas’ bigs.

Of course, Andre Jackson’s size and defensive versatility will be massive in guarding Ricky Council. Kansas’ Kevin McCullar had the task of guarding Council last game. He’s an excellent defender, but battled foul trouble all game.

Simply put, UConn is clearly the favored team, but Arkansas is a uniquely positionless, athletic defensive squad that will not be an easy out.

KenPom’s prediction: UConn wins 75-69

Note from the office: I will be away from my computer Tuesday, March 21st throughout Friday, March 24th while I will be in Arizona visiting in-laws. My lovely mother-in-law is planning our Thursday around the 4:10 tip time in Arizona. God bless her. Thank you for The Boneyard.

Thanks dude, I look forward to these breakdowns, lots of depth and insight. What I saw from watching them play Kansas is that they are a really physical team, athletic and strong, and they will out-tough you if they can. We really have to play strong basketball to win this one.

 

[PNolanFan]

When I look at this team, i think the offensive glass is what we need to attack. They are excellent at perimeter defense and think they will use multiple big wings to guard sanogo inside. Need tp punish them when they go small. On defense we need to pack it in and defend the rim I think. We should live with them shooting from the outside

 

[MexicoHusky]

I asked in another thread. I should of asked here. Will we get good three point shots against Arkansas. Sounds like Arkansas has solid perimeter D. So it won't be easy for our guards.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Draw fouls, feed Adama/Clingan, and destroy them on the offensive glass. That's the gameplan

Add in guard the rim

 

[pj]

Does Arkansas remind anyone of 1988-89 Illinois (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988–89_Illinois_Fighting_Illini_men's_basketball_team)? Lots of strong, athletic 6'4" - 6'7" players, big guards, limited height at center, but strength and athleticism combined with skill can carry a team a long way.

 

[August_West]

 

[bendm]

really my only concern is foul trouble, but it's a huge one. our Gs unnecessarily overplaying on the perimeter, as they are prone to do, is the recipe for disaster. it will result in our Gs picking up cheap fouls and/or allowing Ark to penetrate, which will get our bigs into foul trouble.

they are a bad 3 pt shooting team but an elite attacking team so heavily mixing in some 2-3 and 1-3-1 is the recipe for success here. hurley deserves the benefit of the doubt at this point, but i just dont see him deviating from his "play to our identity" man to man mentality at this point.

 

[ucp990411]

Hey Adrien! These scouting reports are terrific. I report back to my buddies and they think I actually know what I am talking about and think I am nuts. Probably right about the latter. My question is: Are you Tom Moore or Kimani Young? If you are not, how do you do it?

 

[Umami Zen]

@Hey Adrien! Before you head out to Ariz. A few quick questions as I have not seen Arkansas play this year.. Who would you consider their primary ball-handler/PG? Or is it by committee? How do they respond to ball pressure??Also.. Looks like the "Andre Jackson" defense strategy(used against us) of playing their guards soft at three point line and packing the paint to prevent penetration/cut off lanes/clog the middle would make sense.. Otherwise.. they look like they will attempt to challenge our Bigs at the rim. Any thoughts??

BTW.. Excellent job once again on the scout

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I asked in another thread. I should of asked here. Will we get good three point shots against Arkansas. Sounds like Arkansas has solid perimeter D. So it won't be easy for our guards.

That's their defensive strength as a team, however Council is their weakest perimeter non-big while Makhel Mitchell, if he plays, is their only big who isn't an average-or-better perimeter big.

@Hey Adrien! Before you head out to Ariz. A few quick questions as I have not seen Arkansas play this year.. Who would you consider their primary ball-handler/PG? Or is it by committee? How do they respond to ball pressure??Also.. Looks like the "Andre Jackson" defense strategy(used against us) of playing their guards soft at three point line and packing the paint to prevent penetration/cut off lanes/clog the middle would make sense.. Otherwise.. they look like they will attempt to challenge our Bigs at the rim. Any thoughts??

After a made bucket, Black is the guy who brings the ball up the court, however, sometimes Council brings the ball up when he gets ISO calls.

Ball pressure definitely disrupts Arkansas' halfcourt offense. For example, four of their last six losses were against Texas A&M (2x), Mississippi State and Tennessee, all teams that rank within the top-50 in defensive turnover rate.

The "Andre Jackson" style of defense would be a viable defensive option for Arkansas. Listen, we've played two very good defensive teams this tournament and we face another on Thursday...I guess the good news is that UConn will be mentally conditioned (both via the players and the coaches) for that type of style of play.

The biggest difference between Iona/Saint Mary's and Arkansas is that they have size at the 4 and 5 spot, Arkansas doesn't.

Hey Adrien! These scouting reports are terrific. I report back to my buddies and they think I actually know what I am talking about and think I am nuts. Probably right about the latter. My question is: Are you Tom Moore or Kimani Young? If you are not, how do you do it?

I'll keep you guessing here. If I were Moore or Young, that would mean I either a) occasionally post on The Boneyard in-game; or b) give someone else access to my account during the game to perpetuate the guise.

Either way, I'm not showing my hand, but the few people here who know me personally know the true answer...

 

[Umami Zen]

@Hey Adrien! BTW.. Since we're playin' the Razorbacks while you're in Arizona.. Keep an eye out for the wild Javelinas down there.. If you're in the burbs and out walking/jogging/biking.... They travel in packs and can be aggressive with humans when in packs.. Ran into some in Scottsdale one year..

 

[Hey Adrien!]

@Hey Adrien! BTW.. Since we're playin' the Razorbacks while you're in Arizona.. Keep an eye out for the wild Javelinas down there.. If you're in the burbs and out walking/jogging/biking.... They travel in packs and can be aggressive with humans when in packs.. Ran into some in Scottsdale one year..

Haha, I’m very familiar. It’s like Phoenix’s version of raccoons, just way bigger! It’ll be my sixth time down there since my in-laws moved 4ish years ago, almost feels like a second home…still waiting for my first GCU experience!

 

[Fishy]

Arkansas fans wear velcro sneakers and basketball season is just something to kill time before they’re sodomized by Alabama and Georgia in the fall.

 

[huskyharry]

really my only concern is foul trouble, but it's a huge one. our Gs unnecessarily overplaying on the perimeter, as they are prone to do, is the recipe for disaster. it will result in our Gs picking up cheap fouls and/or allowing Ark to penetrate, which will get our bigs into foul trouble.

they are a bad 3 pt shooting team but an elite attacking team so heavily mixing in some 2-3 and 1-3-1 is the recipe for success here. hurley deserves the benefit of the doubt at this point, but i just dont see him deviating from his "play to our identity" man to man mentality at this point.

Agree! Davis destroyed Kansas through penetration in the second half. Our defense needs to be geared to stop penetration. Coach Hurley made some adjustments to the man-to-man to limit this in the last two Providence games and St. Johns away,, but a 2-3 zone would make a lot of sense as a mix-it-up defense, particularly with DC in the middle

 

[MuchoDogYears]

They beat Kansas, and everything about them sounds like a bigger better version of St John’s.

But…They’re 14-13 since Brazile was sidelined for the year. They’ve barely won 50% of their games.

The SEC is arguably the best conference this year. I get it. But still they got beat 13 times. That’s 13 losses that were hung on them.

I think we have a chance.

 

[evmore]

They are going to give us trouble with their guards.. 5 of the top 6 minutes per game are guards.. They stretch the floor and attack & they know they need to get Sanogo into foul trouble so look for them to try. Our guards haven't done shit to stop penetration, but out hedging has worked well against non-elite shooting teams.. Dan Hurley and the gang will def play a lot of zone, but they will HOUND us on the perimeter, so TN better be ready to make smart decisions and SOMEONE has to step up and hit shots during the time they take JH away... they all do for a time. Too often when we are overplayed on D we fail to cut backdoor. I expect plenty of backdoor opportunities in this game. An ugly grind it out game.. UConn 62-59

 

[Ripper32]

 

[mauconnfan]

They will play bigger than they actually are, they're physical as hell. They will be much more athletic than the last 2 we played but also don't shoot it real well so we need to pack it in keep them from getting to the rim. The Freshman Walsh did a tremendous job against Wilson of Kansas so expect him on Hawkins. Strong kid for a frosh, very physical and will definitely give Hawk a run. For a athletic team they are somewhat slow paced, would prefer to run less than us but don't always play smart enough to stop us from getting what we want.

Listening to the radio today with all the college hoops gurus they all say this is the game they can't wait to see, should be a fun one!

 

[Umami Zen]

Haha, I’m very familiar. It’s like Phoenix’s version of raccoons, just way bigger! It’ll be my sixth time down there since my in-laws moved 4ish years ago, almost feels like a second home…still waiting for my first GCU experience!

The ones I encountered in Scottsdale were the size of Labrador Retrievers!. .Big SOBs.. Front desk at hotel said to never go jogging alone..

 

[Tenspro2002]

They sound similar to us, except we can also shoot 3's.

 

[uconnfan68]

Arkansas fans wear velcro sneakers and basketball season is just something to kill time before they’re sodomized by Alabama and Georgia in the fall.

This is why I read The Boneyard.

 

[Marat]

They sound similar to us, except we can also shoot 3's.

We also have Adama/Clingan and they don't.

 

[GetTheFacts]

I'm very worried about this matchup, but everyone else doesn't seem to be?

Davis is one of the best perimeter defenders in the country and could see him giving Hawkins fits. Their athleticism isn't something we've seen since the Bama game. Also, Musselman is probably a better X's and O's coach than Hurley.

No result would surprise me but I hope we don't let our guard down even a little bit now that we're 'finally past the first weekend.' See y'all in Vegas!

 

[Westhamhog]

Makhel Mitchell is not injured. He actually came in t the end of the KU game to box out on the last FT. Musselman changes starting 5 according to matchups. Expect the Mitchell twins to start at the 4 and 5 spots. 6’9 and 6’10. While Makhi is an exceptional perimeter defender and able to guard SF-mobile PF’s, Makhel averages 3+ blocks a game when the matchup is right(ie when he plays more than 15+ mins). Bet Arkansas will throw both Mitchell’s, Johnson, and 4-5 minutes of Jalen Graham at Sanogo and Clingan. Graham actually graded out as one of the best 1 on 1 post defenders in the country at ASU last year, but he’s struggled mightily in PnR defense so has limited minutes sometimes.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Does Arkansas remind anyone of 1988-89 Illinois (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988–89_Illinois_Fighting_Illini_men's_basketball_team)? Lots of strong, athletic 6'4" - 6'7" players, big guards, limited height at center, but strength and athleticism combined with skill can carry a team a long way.

It's a stretch. Simply because there are 4 guys on that team that are better than anybody on Arkansas (pending Smith eventually figuring things out). That Illinois team was loaded with shooters and scorers. They scored 100 points 9 times. This is a defensive minded team with minimal offensive firepower.

Aside from the obvious advantages inside, I think it is critical to get back on defense. We crash the boards really hard on the offensive end, but that may not be wise against a team that is offensively challenged in the half court, but good in transition. Need Hawkins to show up and break out, because I don't care how tight you guard him, he can still get shots off (and draw fouls). If they overplay Alex's outside shot he will need to cut and attack the rim more.

 

[Westhamhog]

@Hey Adrien! Before you head out to Ariz. A few quick questions as I have not seen Arkansas play this year.. Who would you consider their primary ball-handler/PG? Or is it by committee? How do they respond to ball pressure??Also.. Looks like the "Andre Jackson" defense strategy(used against us) of playing their guards soft at three point line and packing the paint to prevent penetration/cut off lanes/clog the middle would make sense.. Otherwise.. they look like they will attempt to challenge our Bigs at the rim. Any thoughts??

BTW.. Excellent job once again on the scout

Black and Council bring the ball up the court, and Devo Davis usually receives the ball in middle pick n roll. Arkansas will give Jackson the three point line, and as they’ve done with other ”bigs” this year Makhel Mitchell will guard Sanogo 1 on 1. Musselman will allow Sanogo to get his and look to to keep Hawkins under 8 points, and he will try to make the other players in addition to Sanogo beat us. Calcaterra and Karaban will be chased off the 3 point line.

 

[ThabeetDown]

Not going to lie, since they are pretty poor at shooting the 3, I'd love to bring back the 2-3 zone we saw vs Marquette at MSG for a little bit. With all their athletes and with Joey C/Hawk essentially liabilities with their perimeter D, it will be our best chance to neutralize those big athletic guards. Deeply worried about foul troubles (PTSD still from the at Providence game) and FT discrepancy that has plagued us in some losses, so switching to zone might help with that.