Arkansas Razorbacks
SEC (23-11, 10-8)
Arkansas did not reach the heights of last season when they went 12-6 in SEC play, but the conference was much tougher this time around. The Razorbacks are a high scoring team that shoots very well from everywhere on the floor, except the free-throw line, and take very good care of the ball. Those are good attributes for a team looking to make a tournament run.
Big Wins: 12/30 Tennessee (95-93), 2/17 Texas A&M (94-75), 2/27 Auburn (91-82)
Bad Losses: 1/2 at Mississippi State (75-78), 1/10 LSU (54-75), 2/3 at LSU (86-94)
Coach: Mike Anderson
Why They Can Surprise:
Daryl Macon, Jaylen Barford and Anton Beard are an impressive senior trio in the backcourt. Those three can all handle the ball and together average 9.6 assists. Macon and Barford are dynamic scorers too. Both are extremely consistent three-point shooters and are not afraid to attack the basket and finish around the rim either. Macon heads into the tournament averaging 16.9 points, while connecting on 42.9 percent of his three-point attempts. Barford added 18.0 points and connected on 43.6 percent of his attempts from long range. Beard is not as productive in the scoring department, but he is capable of having some big games. With C.J. Jones providing quality depth, the Razorbacks have an impressive array of perimeter weapons.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Daniel Gafford, a 6-11 freshman, has provided Arkansas with a quality interior scoring threat. He is averaging 11.9 points and a team high 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Trey Thompson, Darious Hall and Adrio Bailey give Coach Mike Anderson plenty of options in the frontcourt, but this group is not very good in the rebounding department. And the suspension of Dustin Thomas has not helped matters either. And while Bailey and Thompson can block some shots and play defense, the Razorbacks do take a step back on both ends of the floor when Gafford needs a break.
Probable Starters:
Daryl Macon, Senior, Guard, 16.9 ppg, 3.9 apg
Jaylen Barford, Senior, Guard, 18.0 ppg, 2.6 apg, 4.0 rpg
Anton Beard, Senior, Guard, 9.6 ppg, 3.1 apg
Adrio Bailey, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Daniel Gafford, Freshman, Forward, 11.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Key Role Players:
Trey Thompson, Senior, Forward, 3.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Darious Hall, Freshman, Forward, 5.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
C.J. Jones, Sophomore, Guard, 6.4 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.0 (29th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 75.7 (265, 13)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.1 (32, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.6 (94, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 48.1 (32, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 42.6 (94, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.0 (307, 12)
Rebound Margin: -1.1 (245, 13)
Assists Per Game: 15.0 (89, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (28, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over Seton Hall
2017 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
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 3/4
