Razorbacks Face Tough Match-Up with UNC-Greensboro

Spartans will challenge the Hogs from three-point line, crashing boards

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Nov 17, 2023 1:42 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas won't be caught off guard when it faces a senior-laden UNC-Greensboro team Friday night that gave the Razorbacks a run for their money in a 65-58 win that was tight the whole way last season.

"What a big game we have coming up," Coach Eric Musselman said. “Last year down at halftime to the team that is playing us on Friday. A single digit win last year. Probably one of our toughest non-conference games. We've got to be ready to play against UNCG."

The Spartans will challenge the Razorbacks in two areas that have been issues through the first three games. Currently, Greensboro is ranked in the Top 50 nationally in five categories: No. 21 in three pointers per game (11.0) and No. 37 in three-point attempts per game (29.0). When the Spartans get to the foul line they are knocking them down well as a team ranking No. 31 nationally in free throw percentage at 80%. They also force ten turnovers a game which ranks No. 49 in the country and No. 45 in offensive rebounding with 15 per game.

The Razorbacks are limiting teams on the perimeter to 18 three point attempts per game, opponents are still making 35% of their shots from deep ranking No. 284 in the nation. Despite knocking down 41% of this three point attempts in 2022-23, Keyshaun Langley is not nearly as effective from deep this season. Langley attempted the most threes for the Spartans this season with 16. As a first team All-Southern Conference selection m is coming off a 26 point outing against Vanderbilt. Arkansas will need to be glued to him all night which should be no issue for Davonte Davis and Tramon Mark, the Hogs best defenders.

Sitting No. 37 in three-point attempts per game with 29 a game, the Spartans will shoot the three at a high volume. Sophomore forward Donovan Atwell will be a challenge from deep. The 6-foot-5, 190 pounder had one of his best games as a Spartan last season when he scored 12 points on 4-6 shooting from three.

Atwell has become a starter in his second season averaging 10 points per during the first two games. He is a threat from deep though as he is second on the team in three point attempts with 13.

Arkansas’ victory over Old Dominion on Monday didn’t come without criticism from Coach Eric Musselman. The Monarchs connected on 11-24 three-point attempts, the most by a mid-major inside Bud Walton Arena since Northern Iowa made 17 threes in November 2021.

"Playing UNCG, we've got to get back and locate guys," Musselman said. "I think with some of our newer guys, transition defense has maybe not been as high a priority as it needs to be with us."

The Razorbacks have struggled a bit defending the post. With Mikeal Brown-Jones coming off a 24 point performance against the Commodores, his offensive game will test Arkansas’ front court. Trevon Brazile has been one of the best rim defenders in the country during the early part of the season recording nine blocks the past two games.

"[Brazile] is so long,” Musselman said. “He’s got great anticipation on the ball, he's got great anticipation off the ball. That's hard to have that many blocks."

Arkansas is allowing opponents to pull in ten offensive rebounds per game. Pulling in offensive boards is something the Spartans specialize in.

“We’re not rebounding with any physicality,” Musselman said. “It’s just not happening other than Mitchell. He’s our one guy that has rebounded with physicality. I thought we were great against Purdue doing it. We have been really bad physical rebounders.”

Tip-off for the game will be 7 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena and the only way to watch will be on ESPN+. You can hear the game at HitThatLine.com or on ESPN Arkansas 99.7 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.