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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – By this point, Arkansas coach John Calipari probably has a good idea of what his rotation is going to look like for his team going into the season opener against UA-Pine Bluff on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
His biggest challenge might be determining how to distribute minutes across one of the most competitive rosters of his Hall of Fame coaching career.
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As expected during the offseason, he utilized the same starting lineup of Jordan Smith Jr., Jeremiah Wilkinson, Billy Richmond III, Miikka Muurinen and Cooper Bowser and that shouldn’t change when the season tips off in just five days.
Starters
Backups
PG: Jordan Smith Jr.
Davion Thompson
SG: Jeremiah Wilkinson
JJ Andrews
SF: Billy Richmond III
Abdou Toure
PF: Miikka Muurinen
Maper Maker
C: Cooper Bowser
Caleb Ourigou
Arkansas Razorbacks guard Davion Thompson (9) drives against Memphis Tigers forward Jerry Deng (7) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What might have surprised Calipari, however, was just how productive his second unit became during exhibition victories over No. 15 Gonzaga and Memphis.
There’s enough talent on this roster that a couple of guys who are deserving of more minutes likely don’t receive them because Calipari can’t afford to take another guy out.
Davion Thompson scored in double figures in each of his first two games.
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JJ Andrews flashed physicality and unmatched effort while on the floor, but it’s incredibly hard to take Jeremiah Wilkinson or Billy Richmond out due to their experience and what they offer as contributors.
Miikka Muurinen was expected to be a starter himself as a stretch-four who can be a mismatch nightmare on the floor. But Maper Maker has shown enough to relieve Muurinen for extended stretches because of his ability to defend by using his near 7-foot-7 wingspan.
Then there’s Cooper Bowser, who has become a force in the paint by averaging a near double-double in exhibition play. His emergence gives Calipari a dependable…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arkansas-basketball-projected-rotation-starts-223754758.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-30 22:37:00
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