Arkansas Razorbacks
SEC (25-9, 12-6)
Arkansas has been inconsistent this season. At times they look like they can beat anybody. At other times, the Razorbacks look like they should be winless in the SEC. But Arkansas is not winless and, on the whole, they have put together a very impressive season. The group may be lacking superstars like the ones that led the Razorbacks to an NCAA Tournament win in 2015, but this is an experienced team that has the potential to play their best basketball in March.
Big Wins: 12/6 Houston (84-72), 1/24 at Vanderbilt (71-70), 2/15 at South Carolina (83-76)
Bad Losses: 1/10 Mississippi State (78-84), 2/4 at Missouri (78-83), 2/7 Vanderbilt (59-72)
Coach: Mike Anderson
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Mike Anderson usually runs a nine man rotation and all nine of those players are upperclassmen. Much of the scoring will be done by Dusty Hannahs and Daryl Macon. As a team, Arkansas does not take too many three-pointers, but Hannahs is a superb outside shooter. No matter where he is on the floor, Hannahs is a threat to make a long ball every time he catches the ball. Junior college transfer Daryl Macon has emerged as a great shooter too. Like Hannahs, a large chunk of Macon’s shots will come from beyond the arc. Fellow junior college transfer Jaylen Barford has not been consistent with his outside shot, but he is a good scorer around the basket. Along with Anton Beard, the point guard position has a lot of experience and talent.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Moses Kingsley has been a force in the paint for a couple years now. He is a great interior scorer, shot blocker and rebounder. With Hannahs and Macon knocking down shots, Kingsley has had room to operate and he has taken advantage of it. However, Kingsley does not get much help in the paint. This is not a very good rebounding team and the opposition can have an easy time attacking the basket when Kingsley is taking a break. Dustin Thomas, Trey Thompson and Arlando Cook are not asked to do much offensively, but they must hit the glass effectively and play solid defense if the Razorbacks want to make a little tournament run.
Probable Starters:
Jaylen Barford, Junior, Guard, 12.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 3.7 rpg
Dusty Hannahs, Senior, Guard, 14.6 ppg, 1.2 apg
Manuale Watkins, Senior, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 1.9 apg
Moses Kingsley, Senior, Forward, 11.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.6 bpg
Dustin Thomas, Junior, Forward, 5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Key Role Players:
Trey Thompson, Junior, Forward, 2.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Daryl Macon, Junior, Guard, 13.4 ppg, 2.2 apg
Anton Beard, Junior, Guard, 7.4 ppg, 1.9 apg
Arlando Cook, Junior, Forward, 3.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.6 (28th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.2 (228, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.5 (74, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (97, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.6 (241, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.9 (86, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.9 (27, 2)
Rebound Margin: 0.8 (159, 9)
Assists Per Game: 14.4 (117, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.7 (59. 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over Wofford
2015 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2014 NIT First Round win over Indiana State
2014 NIT Second Round loss to California
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Indiana
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to USC
2006 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Bucknell
2001 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgetown
2000 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Miami
*all team stats through 3/5
