Razorbacks Undersized but not Out Gunned

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2077 days ago

To this point in the season, the Razorbacks have had several exciting wins, as well as a few blowout, wins. Their most impressive win entering their matchup with Indiana was an overtime thriller on the road against Georgia Tech that included a Mason Jones buzzer-beating game-winner. Their lone loss was to a solid Western Kentucky team that exploited the undersized Hogs with their talented frontcourt. This alone was enough reason for concern as Indiana boasts a 6’11 center and a 6’9 McDonald’s All American power forward. Not to mention they had won 11 of their first 12 games, including their last three in a row. This was by far the biggest test of the year so far for the surprising Razorbacks.

Razorbacks First True Test

Overwhelmingly Undersized

Arkansas’s starting C, Adrio Bailey, plays a lot bigger than his 6’6 frame might suggest. However, that doesn’t do much for the Hogs when they’re facing two 6’9+ threats at the same time. Arkansas’s next tallest player is their long and lanky shooter, Isaiah Joe, measuring at 6’5. This disparity was on display early and often. Indiana dominated the first half with solid post play, alley-oops off of pick and rolls, and put-backs from missed shots. Arkansas managed to keep the game close with timely threes, transition buckets, and even a few put-backs of their own. They trailed going into the half 38-33.

Razorbacks Come Alive

As has been the trend, Arkansas’s stars came alive late in the game. After trailing by as many as 11 points in the 2^nd half, Isaiah Joe started catching fire. He ended the game 6 threes total, many of them coming from 25+ feet. While Joe kept the Hogs alive with timely shots, it was Mason Jones who would ultimately play the hero yet again. He hit back-to-back threes to give the Hogs a five-point lead with under three minutes to play. The Hogs never looked back. In fact, the most impressive take away of the night was the final 8 minutes of defense by the Hogs. Indiana scored only three points in the final 8:00 of the game. EIGHT. MINUTES. The stellar defense down the stretch combined with the on-schedule heroics from Jones was too much for the Hoosiers to withstand. The Hogs escaped with a 71-64 victory.

SEC on Deck

The Hogs headed back to Fayetteville with an impressive win over the best team they’ve faced thus far. This gives Arkansas an 11-1 record heading into conference play as they face Texas A&M on Jan 4^th at home. Things only get tougher for the rolling Razorbacks as they visit LSU and host Kentucky within the next 20 days. With only one blemish on their record so far, it’s time for the Hogs to show what they’re really made of in conference play.

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