NFL
By: Randall Slifer
Arkansas Basketball had a crucial SEC matchup against Florida over the weekend. Basically, they decided not to show up. Combining the importance of the game and the result, it was the worst game of the season. Florida held onto a 20+ point lead the whole game. Meanwhile, Coach Calipari was doing his best to get kicked out of the game.
This raises a question: Is Arkansas in trouble? March Madness is near, and some big question marks need to be fixed by the time the SEC tournament is over. Arkansas takes on Texas on Wednesday, so let’s discuss what Arkansas needs to show in its last home game of the regular season:
Has Arkansas figured out how to deal with losing Karter Knox?
Karter Knox was not a robust stat guy, but after losing Karter Knox, the team has taken quite a dip. This is not saying that Arkansas is doomed without him, but the change in rotation affects the roster as a whole. Karter Knox fed off Maleek Thomas and Billy Richmond very well. There was a versatility that seemed to be missing in these past games.
Since his injury, DJ Wagner has increased his average minutes per game from roughly 15 to 24. Wagner has essentially matched Karter Knox’s production on the court. However, Cal is having a tough time behind Wagner to contribute and keep the depth he had before the injury.
Since Knox’s injury, Maleek Thomas’ shooting volume has remained stagnant, shooting 11 to 12 shots per game. He is shooting 2 to 3 three-pointers per game, except for one game. Maleek went 6-8 on three pointers in the double OT loss against Alabama. Missouri: Maleek went 2-3; Texas A&M: he went 1-3 on three-pointers. That begs the question: why aren’t we upping Maleek’s shooting, letting him get comfortable behind the line, and adding at least 6 more attempts per game?
Darius Acuff Jr. is a top-three player ever to wear the Arkansas Basketball jersey. However, he is not playing at 100%, and some heat off him would help the guards tremendously. Coach Calipari needs to dial up set plays to ensure Maleek is shooting 8 three-pointers a game, hoping to contribute 15+ points every single game. Two big things can get you to the Final Four in March Madness, and one of them is consistent three-point shooting. Maleek Thomas is a March Madness component that will help Coach Calipari get Arkansas Basketball to where it deserves in the tournament.
Can Brazile, Ewin, and Pringle get back to solid play?
Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle have been average at best in the 2nd half of the season. Nick Pringle needs to be a force in the paint, and he has been at his career-worst in Arkansas. Per @BenBrandonHoops, here is Nick Pringle’s defensive rebounding percentage in conference play in his career:
Wofford: 25.8%
Alabama: 23.5%
South Carolina: 21.9%
Arkansas: 9.6%
Nick Pringle’s aggressiveness is what makes him. Malique Ewin has shown his offensive ability, but he is not showing the aggressiveness on defense. Florida had their way in the paint. They bullied all three forwards/centers to the point that they knew they could not be stopped.
Malique Ewin is the better player between Pringle and himself. The team outscores its opponents far more when he is on the floor. He can withstand 30+ minutes and produce well. He has scored 45 points in the last 3 games with 25 rebounds and only 3 turnovers (while averaging 33 minutes). During the 3-game stretch, Nick Pringle is averaging 10 minutes per game and has scored 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Trevon Brazile has tripped a little bit since Karter Knox has been gone. He has been the player who has rotated around the most because of his versatility. Coach Calipari will need to give Brazile a clear role and guidelines to hit throughout games. Since Knox’s injury, Brazile is shooting 19% from three, while he was 29% the previous four games. He is still averaging 10+ points per game, but he has 6.5 rebounds per game, down from 9 before the injury. Trevon Brazile stirs the Final Four drink. Coach Calipari needs to get him back on track and certainly back as a draftable forward in the NBA.
Can Arkansas get one last win in Fayetteville?
Arkansas Basketball takes on Texas in its last home game of the regular season. Arkansas Basketball remains 3rd in the SEC while Texas is tied for 7th. They have some impressive wins against Alabama and Vanderbilt. Texas will watch what happened last weekend and try to bully Arkansas in the paint. Matas Vokietaitis is 2nd in Texas scoring and stands tall at 7’0 and 255lb. Arkansas Basketball will need to bring physicality to this game, or it will have a field day against our forwards and centers.
Texas is efficient from three-point range, averaging 35% per game and making nearly 8 per game. They average 84 points per game, which is high in the SEC, and Arkansas will need to hold Texas under 80 points to win. One thing Arkansas basketball can capitalize on is quick transition points and points off turnovers. Texas creates 11 turnovers per game, and Arkansas can move up the floor quickly. Arkansas Basketball can make this game quick on its court and force Texas to play Arkansas’ style of basketball throughout, throwing off its game plan of constantly attacking the paint.
Arkansas Basketball faces Texas Basketball on Wednesday at 6:00 at Bud Walton Arena. This is a must-win for Arkansas heading into the end of the season, as they hold 3rd place in the SEC. The conspiracy theorist in me hopes this is a timely dip and they are getting bad basketball out of the way so they can soar in March Madness. Basketball is all about runs, and Arkansas can ascend at the perfect time, which is what all programs look to do in March. As always, Go Razorbacks.
