Hogs Loss To Wildcats Chalked Up to Same Old Problems

Turnovers and poor shooting end Hogs' upset bid against No. 6 Kentucky on Saturday

Jacob Davis | Jan 27, 2024

Hogs Loss To Wildcats Chalked Up to Same Old Problems /

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Razorbacks are its own worst enemy. At this point it appears the team is allergic to high IQ basketball. Kentucky was able to pull out a 63-57 victory inside Bud Walton Arena.

Through the game's first 10 minutes, it was noticeable this game would be a low-scoring, defensive battle. However, the Razorbacks aren't built for that type of game since it lacks in the scoring department and like to be careless with the ball.

“We’re not a good offensive team, Musselman said. "All you have to do is watch the game. Because of effort and defense tonight, we were in the game.”

The Razorbacks were forced into 13 turnovers against the Wildcats with eight of those coming in the second half. El Ellis surrendered five turnovers including a pass which was picked off by Kentucky's Reed Shepherd for a fastbreak layup. That play flipped the momentum to the Cats' as they never looked back.

Starting Guard Not with Razorbacks According to Multiple Reports

Points off turnovers was one of the deciding factors of the game as Kentucky outscored Arkansas 12-5. The Wildcats pulled out to a 10-point lead with 39 seconds remaining to avoid an 0-2 week in SEC play.

Improved shooting by the Razorbacks was expected by Arkansas this season since adding shooting threats like Khalif Battle, El Ellis and Jeremiah Davenport from the transfer portal. Offensive possessions are mostly spent with one player dribbling around the halfcourt before settling with a bad shot or passing the ball with time winding down on the shot clock.

The trio above went 6-of-22 from the field on Saturday including a 3-of-10 mark from three. Tramon Mark missed Wednesday's loss to Ole Miss due to migraines but returned to the lineup against Kentucky. The Houston transfer was an uncharacteristic 5-of-17 from the field and missed all four three point attempts. Like Ellis, Mark contributed to the team's turnover issues with four of his own.

For the game, Arkansas connected on 20-of-60 shot attempts. Struggles beyond the arc remain the same going 4-of-19 as a team from three. Changes in pace of play and more methodical on offense was an effort made to keep the game close. The plan nearly worked.

“We changed a lot of things over the last three days," Musselman said. [We] tried to really control tempo. Tried to run some of our sets that we ran at Nevada.”