Arkansas Fans Should Still be Thankful for Kamani Johnson

Play against Kansas echoes huge game against San Diego State in Maui back during Thanksgiving

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Kamani Johnson (20) reacts after a call in the second half against the Troy Trojans at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 74-61. (Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports)

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – If there were a stat for high impact per minute, Arkansas forward Kamani Johnson might be the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to whatever award would be tied to it.

One of only two scholarship players to return from last year's Elite 8 team, Johnson has only logged just over 300 minutes this season. It's what he's done with those minutes that made him so valuable.

Early in the season, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman  had a team that lacked the willingness to fight for rebounds, especially on the offensive end, and play with a style that took care of the little things players who are used to being their team's stars either haven't done or don't like to do.

The night before Thanksgiving, in a tournament in Maui, Johnson added the ingredient that had been missing from Musselman's collection of superstars – grit.

He came in late against San Diego State in a chippy game and instantly brought the toughness and intimidating presence Arkansas needed to pull off what turned out to be its most valuable regular season win of the year in the eyes of the selection committee.

Here are just a few notes from that night.

"Johnson is intimidating right now with his physical play. At some point Black needs to give him the ball and let him just start backing guys down."

"Just loving the work Johnson is putting in. He's putting in the dirty work. Yes, he will foul every now and then, but it's usually because of effort."

Not long afterward, Johnson delivered what turned out to be the biggest shot of the year. It was one that only he could have made at that time. Even after all these months, it's hard to understand how he made that shot.

"Black misses the lay-up, but Johnson uses his strength to hold off the larger Damarshay Johnson to barely muster enough to get the ball up and in as the buzzer goes off to force overtime."

Much like they did with Davonte Davis four months later against Kansas, the rest of the team absorbed his spirit and attitude. The new guys got tougher as they muscled their way to a 78-74 win over the Aztecs. 

To get an idea of how contagious and impactful his work was that night, here are few other notes.

"Body language says Arkansas is about to put this one away. San Diego State looks down."

"Council with a shot, rebound by Johnson and Brazile slashes to the basket. Together it generates the largest lead of the game for Arkansas at 3 points."

"What a rebound by Johnson! Another huge rebound. He is fighting in the paint and no one can handle him. Johnson puts it back up and in and Cousin Mo is fully on the Razorbacks' side."

"There has been something missing with this Razorback team and it's obvious that it's the toughness and grit that Johnson brings. For the past seven to eight minutes, this has looked like a Musselman team for the first time all season."

"Kamani Johnson better get the big pancake and extra bacon at the breakfast table tomorrow morning. He just played perfect vertical defense down low on what should have been a game-tying drive and then came away with the rebound, hugging it like a little kid who was lost and just found his momma."

Fast forward to the Kansas game. Johnson began the second half by tipping a ball in to keep Arkansas within range. Then, throughout the game, he fought for rebounds, set screens that freed up Davonte Davis when he went on inspiring run, and played power defense. 

When it was tied in the final minute, 65-65, Kansas reversed the ball to KJ Adams for what looked destined for an easy lay-up. At the moment Johnson was manning the middle, switching between three players in two seconds, including Adams, who was to his backside.

Risking his last foul, Johnson knocked the ball from Adams' hands and then avoided fouling again by standing tall in his defensive stance as Adams rushed a shot that barely skimmed the rim before it sailed out of bounds off the chest of Kansas star Jalen Wilson.

Ricky Council missed a jumper while trying to take over carrying the team from Davis. It would have been enough to keep the Hogs short when it was all over, but there was Johnson.

As the shot rattled around the rim, Johnson cut off his defender, got one arm free to forcefully grab the rebound, and immediately went back up with power that sent Kevin McCullar crashing to the floor.

When it went through, the building exploded. Musselman's wife was so excited it looked like she was going to pass out. 

There was no way Arkansas was going to lose after that.

Seconds later, with the game tied once again, Johnson set a screen that intentionally forced McCullar to go over the top, putting him out of position to properly recover to defend Council's drive. Council was able to draw the foul, putting an elite defender and solid scoring option on the bench.

When Wilson got Jordan Walsh on his hip down low looking to hit a lay-up and a free throw on the foul to tie it with eight seconds left, Johnson came with help defense that didn't allow Wilson the space to get an effective shot up. 

If you were wondering how Kansas allowed Council to get the ball on the next to last inbounds when he was the last guy they wanted on the line, well, thank Johnson.

As soon as Wilson's free throw went through, Johnson kept his occupied while providing a brief screen of Gradey Dick along the baseline to free up a lightning quick pass to Council.

When it came to the final inbounds play of the game, it was only fitting that Johnson would make the big play. 

He was supposed to run to the other end of the floor. However, he saw an open spot in the floor that put him directly in Black's line of site and made a hard turn at the 3-point line. 

No one was on him because he's the last person they thought would get the ball, nor was he supposed to be there. As soon as Kansas players tried to converge on him, Johnson threw it back to Black to ice the game. 

He raised his hands for a second in case Black needed to send it back, but as soon as the buzzer sounded, being the veteran he is, Johnson turned immediately to the Arkansas fan section and commenced celebrating, nearly leaping into the stands.

Before Musselman got to rip his shirt off among the crowd, the Razorback fans in attendance showered the senior for the grit he brought while never batting an eye at doing the little things that go unnoticed. 

Little things add up, and the impact Johnson's little things have had on saving this season cannot be measured. 

On Thanksgiving morning, I wrote that every Arkansas fan should take a moment to give thanks for Johnson.

Nearly four months to the day, nothing has changed.

Arkansas fans should be glad Kamani Johnson made the tough choice to give up being a star at Arkansas-Little Rock to be an invaluable role player as a Razorback.

What fans are currently experiencing doesn't happen without him.

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