Breaking Down the Razorbacks Loss to Florida

Razorbacks Late to the Party… Again

This game was ugly early for the visiting Razorbacks. At one
point, the Hogs found themselves down by as many as 19 points, only putting up
11 points through the first 12+ minutes of action. This would mark the second
game in a row that the Hogs trailed by double digits early in the first half. Then
came Adrio Bailey. A surprisingly improved three point shooter (45%), Bailey
went on his own personal 9-3 run that started with a good looking triple. Soon
to follow suit were Jones and Whitt who took advantage of fast break
opportunities created by the defense. With the Hogs finally awake, the half
time deficit only favored Florida 33-26.

The second half would consist of a lot of the same fight and
grit the Razorbacks showed in the first half. After trailing by as many as 19
early, the Hogs would cut the deficit to 44-42 with under 13 minutes on the
game clock. Unfortunately, that was as close as they would get to pulling out
this road win. The offense showed explosive capabilities throughout the game,
but the defense was unable to sustain momentum at any point in the second half.
A three and a half minute scoring drought late in the game would seal the Hogs
fate as they lost their fifth straight game, 73-59.

What Went Well

Ethan Henderson

Despite fouling out in only 10 minutes of action, Ethan
Henderson played a surprisingly good game. He contributed seven points, three
rebounds, a block, and drew a few fouls and Florida’s big men. He also shot
efficiently going 3/4 from the field. If he is able to contribute like that on
nights where Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe are both knocking down threes, the Hogs
might have found themselves some more depth.

Adrio Bailey

Sticking with surprising forwards, Adrio Bailey scored a
season high 16 points while adding eight rebounds (six offensive), two 3Ps, and
a steal on 50% from the field. His contributions provided the spark Arkansas
needed to get back in the ball game. Regardless of the final outcome, he was a
huge reason the game was even as close it as was. He also submitted his case
for Oscar Performance of the year when he sold a push from a Florida player
during a timeout, drawing a technical foul that resulted in two made Mason
Jones free throws.

What Needs to Improve

Mason Jones once again put the team on his back with a team
high 21 points. He took his usual double digit trips to the foul line and shot
a respectable 44% from the field. However, he was unable to connect on any of
his four attempts from long range. He also only shot 70% from the FT line.
These stats are bordering on the line of nit-picky, especially considering the
amount of pressure and weight that Jones has been asked to carry. I fully
appreciate the job he has done in keeping the Hogs alive in so many games all
season, no matter the pressure he’s faced. I’m not blaming Mason or saying he
has to be better, only bringing attention to stats that are depleting.

Opposing Defense Breakdown

My opinion is that these percentages continue to drop as
teams are able to game plan more and more specifically around Jones. With no
Isaiah Joe, and the Hogs’ other guards inconsistency from long range, Jones is
faced with more help defenders than he can handle sometimes. The same thing
happens to Whitt sometimes, but they do not have to worry about Whitt shooting
from the perimeter. In turn, this allows Jones’s primary on-ball defender to
play him much tighter on the perimeter, as well as bigs to double team him out
of pick & roll situations. With the inconsistency around him, Jones has
been challenged more and more offensively every single game.

What Now?

What is the solution, one might ask? I’m not sure there is
one. Some ideas might include running pick and pops with the much improved
shooter, Adrio Bailey. Perhaps using Jones more in an off-ball role, which Musselman
has experimented with. However, when Jones runs off screens without the ball,
the defense is able to do the same things they do when he does have the ball.
They can help hard, switch, even get in position to double when he gets it. It
is clear to everyone the Hogs play that we live and die with Mason Jones
without Isaiah Joe in the lineup. The only real solution I can give you is the
team needs consistent shooting. Whether that comes from Desi Sills, Jalen
Harris, a returning Isaiah Joe, or next year’s class. More scoring threats is
the only way I see to free up Jones as well as the rest of the offense.

Razorbacks Road Ahead

The Hogs sit at 16 wins on the season, a respectable number
for Musselman’s first season. Even if the Hogs’ lose the rest of their games,
they will finish with a winning record. The eye popping success early in the
season skewed the expectations of many. Then the absence of Isaiah Joe
destroyed most of the offensive gameplan, sinking the Hogs back to what was
originally expected of them to start the season. The most likely scenario now
has the Hogs dropping to the NIT tournament in Musselman’s first year, which is
nothing to be ashamed of considering the adversity faced. However, if the
return of Joe sparks the Hogs to win at least four of their remaining five
games, and the Hogs are able to make some noise in the SEC tournament, don’t
rule out the possibility of a tournament bid just yet. While it is
realistically unlikely, it’s still an attainable possibility.

Razorbacks Final Five

Missouri – 13-13 (5-8)

Tennessee – 15-11 (7-6)

@ Georgia – 12-13 (2-10)

LSU – 18-8 (9-4)

@ Texas A&M – 12-12 (6-6)

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