Nine things we’ve learned about Arkansas basketball, John Calipari through nine games

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Arkansas basketball is rapidly approaching its SEC slate. The Razorbacks (7-2) have just four games remaining before opening up the conference slate on the road against No. 3 Tennessee.

With nine games in the rear-view mirror, we’ve already learned a ton about John Calipari’s first team in Fayetteville. Here are nine observations from the first month of the season, coming off the Hogs’ 75-60 victory over UTSA Saturday.

Adou Thiero has taken a leap

Thiero is averaging 18.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.1 assists, which are all career-highs. He only averaged 7.2 points per game last year at Kentucky.

Thiero’s getting to the basket at will and finishing through contact. He’s been an unquestioned leader for Arkansas, and all that’s left to develop is his jump shot. He’s still struggling with a 21.1% rate from 3-point range.

The offense runs through Boogie Fland

DJ Wagner was widely expected to be the orchestrator, but Fland has taken the reins. He’s averaging 15 points and 5.2 assists with shooting splits of 41/40/82.

More: John Calipari demands more consistency from Arkansas basketball after win over UTSA

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Fland has simply been one of the best freshmen and point guards across the country, and when the game hit crunch time against Miami, he proved he can also be a closer.

And surprisingly not Johnell Davis

It was widely expected Davis would lead Arkansas in scoring, but he just hasn’t been able to translate his success from Florida Atlantic to Fayetteville. Last season, Davis averaged 18.2 points on 41.4% shooting from three. This year, he’s averaging 9.3 points with a 38.5% rate.

The topsy-turvy start to Davis’ Arkansas career can be encapsulated by his last five games: two points against Little Rock, 16 versus Maryland Eastern Shore, three in a loss to Illinois, 12 in a win over Miami and 13 Saturday against UTSA.

Nov 25, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Zvonimir…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nine-things-weve-learned-arkansas-100649122.html

Author : Ft. Smith Southwest Times Record

Publish date : 2024-12-08 10:06:00

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