Arkansas Razorbacks
Overall Rank: #16
Conference Rank: #4 SEC
Arkansas had a breakout 2019-2020 campaign, finishing 24-8 overall and tied for third in the SEC. Unfortunately the Razorbacks never got the opportunity to show what they could do in the NCAA Tournament. However, with four starters back and some key additions to the roster, Coach Mike Neighbors’ squad will be right in the mix for an SEC title and a deep tournament run.
2019-20 Record: 28-4, 10-6
Coach: Mike Neighbors
Coach Record: 59-41 at Arkansas, 157-82 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Alexis Tolefree, Guard, 16.3 ppg
A’Tyanna Gaulden, Guard, 6.9 ppg
Kiara Williams, Forward/Center, 4.8 ppg
Rokia Doumbia, Guard, 3.2 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Chelsea Dungee, Senior, Guard, 16.9 ppg
Amber Ramirez, Senior, Guard, 14.7 ppg
Makayla Daniels, Sophomore, Guard, 9.3 ppg
Taylah Thomas, Senior, Forward, 6.0 ppg
Erynn Barnum, Sophomore, Forward, 5.0 ppg
Marquesha Davis, Sophomore, Forward, 2.5 ppg
Jailyn Mason, Senior, Guard, dnp last season
Macy Weaver, Senior, Forward, dnp last season
Key New Players
Destinee McGhee, Freshman, Forward
Destiny Slocum, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from Oregon State
Elauna Eaton, Freshman, Guard
Rylee Langerman, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Few teams were as prolific or consistent shooting the ball beyond the arc as Arkansas last season. The Razorbacks ranked fifth in the nation with 9.8 made three-pointers per game and sixth in three-point field-goal percentage at 38.9 percent. Amber Ramirez knocked down a team high 106 three-pointers at a 44.7 percent clip. She should once again be one of the best shooters in the country. Fellow senior guard Chelsea Dungee is not the most prolific three-point shooter, but she is one of the best overall scorers in the country and should build upon her team high 16.9 points per game. Makayla Daniels is poised for a breakout sophomore season after averaging 9.3 points per game in 2019-2020. Things will get even better in the backcourt. Jailyn Mason is back after missing last season with an injury. She was a regular starter as a freshman and sophomore. Elauna Eaton is a great incoming recruit too, but most of the hype deserves to go to graduate transfer Destiny Slocum. Slocum spent the last two seasons at Oregon State where she averaged 15.2 points and 4.6 assists. With Slocum, Dungee and Ramirez leading the way, Arkansas has one of the best backcourts in the country. As long as Taylah Thomas, Erynn Barnum and Marquesha Davis can manage to be productive in the frontcourt, the Razorbacks could have their best season since they went to the Final Four in 1998.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.4 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.6 (255, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (29, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.9 (119, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.8 (5, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.9 (6, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.4 (32, 1)
Rebound Margin: -4.7 (299, 13)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (150, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.0 (3, 1)
Madness 2020 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#34 Elauna Eaton
#87 Destinee McGhee
#92 Rylee Langerman
