Arkansas Razorbacks
Southeastern Conference (18-14, 6-10)
The season started fairly well for the Razorbacks. They were 12-3 after 15 games, and then things sort of fell apart for them in the second half of the season. Their best player, Marshawn Powell, went down for the remainder of the season with a knee injury in November. Their scoring production dipped quite a bit after that, and they only reached the 70-point mark a handful of times during the season. They have a few quality wins they were able to hang their hat on, which vaulted them into the postseason discussion.
Big Wins: 1/7 Mississippi State (98-88), 1/21 Michigan (66-64), 1/31 Vanderbilt (82-74)
Bad Losses: 11/18 Houston (78-87), 2/8 at Georgia (59-81), 2/15 at Tennessee (58-77)
Coach: Mike Anderson (1 season at Arkansas)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Razorbacks can put the ball in the hoop…as long as they have an option on the offensive end. With Powell going down it has become hard for them to find scorers. But B.J. Young and Mardracus Wade are double-digit scorers and high minute players. As a team they are still shooting over 42% without their star player. That’s not terrible for a group that’s lost their leader. Defensively, the Razorbacks get after the ball. They average nearly five blocks per game and over eight steals. As a bonus they tend not to turn the ball over themselves. Extra possessions for this team will be a huge benefit to them.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Hopefully, Arkansas can keep up with the competition. If they underperform on the offensive end, they are going to have an uphill battle each time out. They allow their opponents to score nearly 70 points per game on average. That number is very close to the amount they score. At the end of the game, that minor difference won’t mean much. Should it come down to free-throw shooting, the Razorbacks may be in a bind. They average less than 70% from the line. They are going to have to be able to convert the freebies if they intend to win intense tournament games.
Probable Starters:
Julysses Nobles, Junior, Guard, 8.7 ppg, 3.1 apg
Rickey Scott, Sophomore, Guard, 9.1 ppg, 2.5 apg
Mardracus Wade, Sophomore, Guard, 10.8 ppg, 1.5 apg
Michael Sanchez, Senior, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Devonta Abron, Freshman, Forward, 5.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Rashad Madden, Freshman, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 1.8 apg
Hunter Mickelson, Freshman, Forward, 5.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Marvell Waithe, Senior, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
B.J. Young, Freshman, Guard, 15.2 ppg, 2.3 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.4 (68th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.7 (244, 12)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.0 (155, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.2 (179, 11)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (128, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.6 (104, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.1 (171, 10)
Rebound Margin: -3.5 (285, 12)
Assists Per Game: 13.8 (86, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.0 (122, 8)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
Arkansas 2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Indiana
Arkansas 2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
Arkansas 2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to USC
Arkansas 2006 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Bucknell
Arkansas 2001 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgetown
Arkansas 2000 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Miami
*all team stats through 3/4
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
