Razorbacks let Another Upset Slip Away

Razorbacks Stall Early

Little by little, Auburn climbed their way back into the game. Mason Jones went 1/2 from the FT line with 37 seconds left to leave the game tied at 69. With both teams botching their final possessions, we headed to overtime. Although the Hogs drew first blood in the extra period from the free throw line, Auburn would quickly take the lead and never look back. As has been the case all season, the Hogs never gave up. In fact, Mason Jones had the ball in hands with less than five seconds on the clock, Hogs down by three. His last second attempt from deep hit the rim three different times before ultimately rolling off the front of the rim. Auburn escaped Fayetteville with a 79-76 overtime victory.

Key Stats

Rebounding

As was expected, the Hogs were unable to hold their own on
the glass against a much bigger Auburn team. For the 10^th time this
season, the Hogs were outrebounded by double digits. In fact, their 17 rebound
margin of defeat was their third highest margin all season; they lost the two
games with a higher margin of defeat as well.

Points off Turnovers

As strange as it sounds, the Hogs actually still have a
winning record win being outrebounded by double digits (6-4). The key
difference in those wins has usually been the turnover battle and, in turn,
points off of turnovers. In the six games won by the Hogs when outrebounded by
10 or more, they averaged winning the turnover battle by 7.2. In their losses,
they averaged winning it by only 4.7. That is, before the Auburn game. The Hogs
were unable to mask their lack of size with turnovers today as they still
managed to win the turnover battle by 8 turnovers.

Free Throws

Yet again, the Hogs struggled from the free throw line.
Mason Jones was phenomenal from everywhere on the court, except the charity
stripe. He shot only 68.8% on 16 attempts, significantly lower than his season
average of 82%. Adrio Bailey went 0/2 on the game. Desi Sills shot 50% instead
of his usual 66%. Had all of the Razorbacks who attempted a free throw shot at
least their season average, three to four points would have been added to the
score. I’m aware it’s hard to compare what-ifs, but it’s clear that free throw
shooting could have made a huge difference in this game, as has been the case
in several losses this season.

Razorbacks. Breathe.

After another heartbreaking home loss, it’s easy to feel the pain and panic that come with losing. Especially when that feeling has become a staple in a lot of the major sports on campus. However, all things considered, the Hogs are sitting in amazing position under first-year head coach Eric Musselman. Here are some facts to calm the nerves.

Mason Jones

Mason Jones has been the surprise of the conference, if not
the country. He leads the SEC in scoring at 20.7 per game and he just became
the first Razorback to ever go for 30 in three consecutive games. Jones also
leads the Hogs in scoring, assists, rebounds, and steals per game, the only
player in the SEC to lead his team in all of those categories.

Depth

The Hogs have had a painfully short rotation all season.
Aside from Mason Jones, every player that Musselman puts on the court has had
their inconsistencies. Joe and Whitt have been phenomenal at times and
completely disappeared at others. This will be even more of a factor now with
Joe injured for the foreseeable future. Desi Sills and Jalen Harris have
struggled from deep, and Adrio Bailey and Reggie Chaney have had mental lapses
more than once this year. However, despite all of the inconsistency and lack of
roster depth, the Hogs have won 16 games this year. They have help on the way
in multiple forms. The Razorbacks are a few wins away from locking a tournament
berth in Musselman’s first season. It’s simply amazing when you step back and
look at the big picture.

Help Incoming

The Hogs have the highest rated recruiting class in recent
memory. With all four recruits landing well inside ESPN’s top 100, the fans
have high expectations for next season. While they will still be freshman and
make freshman mistakes, the wholes they fill around any returning players could
make a world of difference. More importantly still, is the amount of size the
Hogs have coming next season. California transfer Conner Vanover was denied
when submitting his appeal to be eligible immediately this season. At a
staggering 7’3, his presence on the glass could have easily been the difference
in several games this season, and hopefully will be next season. Connor Vanover’s
freakish stature paired with incoming 6’10 freshman Jaylin Williams and
returning 6’9 junior forward Reggie Chaney could quickly erase the rebounding
struggles the Hogs have faced this season.

Razorbacks Road Ahead

The Hogs are down to just nine games left on their regular season
schedule, and the road ahead is not much easier than it’s been thus far. Up
next, the Hogs take a road trip to Missouri (10-12, 2-7) and Tennessee (13-9,
5-4). Going 2-0 on the road against two middle-of-the-pack SEC teams would go a
long ways for the Hogs’ tournament hopes. Then the Hogs head back to The Hill
for the first rematch of the season as Mississippi State comes to town. This is
arguably the Hogs worst SEC matchup as Reggie Perry destroyed our big men on
both ends of the court last time we played. Going up against the dominant big
for a second time will likely be a huge test for Musselman’s ability to adjust
to the hand he’s been dealt.

Next Five

@ Missouri – 10-12 (2-7)

@ Tennessee – 13-9 (5-4)

Mississippi State – 14-8 (5-4)

@ Florida – 13-8 (5-3)

Missouri – 10-12 (2-7)

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