NFL
By: Randall Slifer
Arkansas Basketball debuted last Monday night against Southern U and started very strongly. Of course, some of these early games are expected wins, but the team looked good on the floor.
Darius Acuff Jr and Maleek Thomas had incredible debuts in their first game. Darius Acuff Jr had a strong game, posting 22 points and four assists while shooting 61% from the field and 60% from three. Darius played with great tempo and controlled the offense, scoring from all parts of the court. Maleek Thomas posted 21 points, seven assists, and three steals while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from three. Maleek found his rhythm from the three-point line and contributed on both sides of the court with his three steals.
Trevon Brazile had a career-high game, posting a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. He also had one block, one steal, and made one three. He was all over the place, and the connection of Darius Acuff and Trevon Brazile will be lethal. Darius Acuff can make defenders gravitate to him immediately, leaving Brazile with a quick outlet and an open look.
The team as a whole allowed only 77 points in the game. They played a more physical game than Southern U. Arkansas basketball outrebounded Southern U by eight, and Arkansas had 10 steals to Southern U’s 3. Arkansas also had 23 assists to Southern U’s 10. It was an overall domination for a team that needed to show they were ready for some live action.
Arkansas Basketball has its first test this Saturday against 22nd-ranked Michigan State. Michigan State beat Colgate 80-69 in their first matchup and looked good for their debut. Let’s take a look at who we should be watching this weekend:
Guard – Jeremy Fears Jr (6’2 190lb) – 34 Min, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals
Guard – Kur Teng (6’5 200lb) – 17 min, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Forward – Jaxon Kohler (6’10 245lb) – 32 min, 16 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Forward – Coen Carr (6’6 230lb) – 27 min, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Center – Carson Cooper (6’11 245lb) – 28 min, 10 points, 6 rebounds
How can Arkansas pull off the win?
The duo of Kohler and Cooper needs to be matched by Pringle and Brazile, and they should be able to handle it. Pringle and Brazile cannot get into foul trouble, but getting Michigan State to the free-throw line may not be the worst thing on Saturday. Michigan State left 13 points on the board on missed free throws, shooting 65%. Kohler went 6-for-9 when he was an 82% free-throw shooter last year.
Hit your threes
Arkansas was not a good three-point shooting team last year, but the shooters Arkansas got from freshmen and the portal are much better. Arkansas went 10-for-28 from three, shooting 35%, and Colgate was able to get clean looks last week, shooting 38%. Maleek Thomas and Darius Acuff can get hot from the three-point line, and that can help stretch leads during the middle of the game.
Start quickly & fast.
Breslin Center is an intimidating place to play, and the crowd is packed and loud for every single game. The one way to tame the Breslin Center is to begin with a lead and hold on to it as long as you can. In the first ten minutes of Michigan State’s game against Colgate, they only scored 13 points. This was similar to their exhibition games before the regular season started, so it is an opportunity for Arkansas to take advantage of this weekend.
The starting lineup should come out fast and quick to put Michigan State on its heels, and a wire-to-wire win would be an impressive win for Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas Basketball heads to Breslin Center this Saturday at 7:00 EST/6:00 CST. 1.5 points favor Michigan State with a total of 155.5. Arkansas has looked better in its few games, and it can put up a good number of points at home. If I were a betting man? I would hammer the over and Arkansas at +1.5. As Always, Go Razorbacks.
