NFL
By: Randall Slifer
Arkansas Basketball is halfway through its season, and it has had a strong start. John Calipari has openly expressed how he would like this team to function, and the team has responded and followed suit. Early in the year, they were a team that played more individually than collectively and had a tough time closing out games. Now, they are much more congealed and closing out games in multiple different ways.
John Calipari and Arkansas built a gauntlet of a schedule early, and it is paying off dividends in their growth. Arkansas ranks 15th now. Let’s take a look at the major matchups and outcomes in the first half of the season:
@ (12) Michigan State: L 66-69
(Neutral) (6) Duke: L 71-80
Vs. (20) Louisville: W 89-80
@ (14) Texas Tech: W 93-86
(Neutral) (7) Houston: L 85-94
Vs. (21) Tennessee: W 86-75
A solid 3-3 against top 25 teams, with the majority of games Arkansas being underdogs at the time of the game. Match that with going 3-1 in the last 4 top 25 matchups, and you can tell this team is getting better. Let’s hand out our mid-season awards for this dynamic Arkansas Basketball team:
Clutch Player of the Mid-Season: Maleek Thomas
Maleek Thomas is turning into a straight dagger as he refines his game into an NBA-ready player. He poses a threat to take it inside, but defenders have to stick with him at the perimeter because he can shoot a three from any angle he feels works. He hits 4-point plays and is lethal coming off a screen. Maleek leads in 3-point percentage, with 37 threes made, and in free-throw shooting, at 84%. He also leads the team in steals with 22 and contributes to quick transition points. Maleek Thomas will be such an important piece in March.
Runner Up: Darius Acuff Jr.
6th Man of the Mid-Season: Billy Richmond III
Billy Richmond III is a starter coming off the bench and one of the most reliable two-way players for Arkansas in the past two years. Averaging 21.7 minutes per game, Richmond is averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds. He is efficient with his shots, shooting 58% from the field and 33% from three-point range. He leads guards in offensive rebounds and tied for 2nd in blocks. He is a reliable bucket and a great defender, and it is partly a cheat code having Richmond come off the bench.
Runner Up: Malique Ewin
Defensive Player of the Mid-Season: Trevon Brazile
Trevon Brazile has been a monster on the defensive side of the ball and has been critical in mismatches in smaller teams and handling bigger teams. Here is a fun stat: Trevon Brazile leads the team in defensive rebounds with 77. The closest person in TOTAL (offensive and defensive) rebounds is Karter Knox with 73. Trevon Brazile leads the team in steals with 20 and blocks with 19. He had a game in which he blocked two three-point shots, which was impressive in itself. The whole team is playing solid defense, but Brazile has been playing outstanding.
Runner Up: Karter Knox
Offensive Player of the Mid-Season: Darius Acuff Jr
Darius Acuff Jr. is playing like a top 2 guard in the nation, and he may not be number 2. Acuff had a slow start in the first three games, figuring out who he was on a collegiate court, but after that, he has been playing lights-out. Darius Acuff found the balance of being a two-way player on the offensive side, contributing high in points and assists. Since Duke, Acuff is averaging 22 points and 8 assists. That would put Acuff 18th in scoring and 3rd in assists. He is facilitating the offense and drawing in players to dish to Maleek Thomas on the perimeter, or to a quick dish inside for a big man bucket.
He gave Arkansas a glimpse of a new part of his game that could take the team far into the playoffs. Against Tennessee, he hit two clutch threes late in the 2nd half, operating primarily as an isolation player. He wasted all 30 seconds and drained the three 1-on-1 with his defender. The combo of wasting that precious time Tennessee needed and still being able to hit the three is a dagger that sends teams home in March. Darius Acuff is a menace, and he is only getting better.
Runner Up: Maleek Thomas
MVP of the Mid-Season: Trevon Brazile
Now, I am not using the term “MVP” as the national media and professional sports do. MVP would be touted as the most dynamic and best player on the court. That is realistically Darius Acuff Jr., because he is the best guard in the nation. Trevon Brazile is the most valuable and important player on the Arkansas Basketball team. If Arkansas Basketball wants to win a championship, Trevon Brazile needs to be consistent throughout the tournament and avoid foul trouble (which he has been far better at this year than last year).
As discussed above, his defensive ability is the best on the team, and he has the athleticism to cover the whole court in press defense, the perimeter, and in the paint. Trevon Brazile is also one of the most dynamic offensive players. Trevon Brazile is averaging 13.5 points per game, shooting 54% from the field. At 6’10, he is shooting 43% from three! He is 3rd in offensive rebounds and tallied 14 assists.
As athletically as he is, the ability to have Trevon Brazile as the power forward and still have Nick Pringle (6’10) and Malique Ewin (6’10) rotate in the center position is an advantage that March will covet. Darius Acuff or Maleek Thomas may hit the game-winning shot, but Trevon Brazile is the guy who can determine whether or not Arkansas wins the whole thing.
John Calipari has done a great job with this team, and the whole state of Arkansas is excited for the 2nd half of the season. Arkansas faces Auburn this Saturday, and some other notable matchups for the 2nd half of the season:
@ Georgia
Vs. Vanderbilt
Vs. LSU
Vs. Kentucky
@ Alabama
@ Florida
A lot of SEC play for the 2nd half of the season, and the goal is come out on top in the SEC before we head to March Madness. Can Arkansas Basketball do it this year? Vegas is wary right now, putting Arkansas at the 16th-best odds at +4000. I believe they can get it done. As always, Woo Pig.
