If Nick Smith is Back Against Mississippi State, Where Does He Fit In?

Dropping freshman guard into the line-up much harder, more disruptive than last time

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Barring some sort of crazy incident involving all the snow that is supposed to drop in Fayetteville this weekend, the expectation is that Nick Smith will return for Arkansas against Mississippi State this Saturday.

There's a certain level of excitement among Razorback fans for his return. However, there's a serious question that needs to be addressed.

Where is Smith going to fit in?

If he is to play, someone else has to lose time.

It's difficult to justify Smith starting. After all, whose place would he take?

Would Musselman send Davonte Davis to the bench?

That would mean depriving the team of its leader, best defender, best three-point shooter and most versatile offensive weapon. You're talking about putting a guy who is in the conversation for SEC Player of the Year on the bench for a guy who has barely played at all this year and hasn't been in practice or even in the same city for a good portion of the season.

It should also be noted that putting one of the most beloved players in Arkansas history on the bench for a player who has an uneasy relationship with a portion of the fan base would create all kinds of issues.

Perhaps he could take Anthony Black's spot.

That would only mean benching a legitimate All-American candidate who is perhaps the most improved player on this team. 

In this case, much like the case with Davis, the Razorbacks would lose grit that has been hardened by the SEC. There would also be a loss of chemistry and trust and what has developed into an NBA level eye for his teammates the millisecond they come up.

Most importantly, you' would be losing someone who has displayed heart and dedication for this team even through injury. 

Black has not only earned his spot through his play. He's earned his spot through toughness and sacrifice. 

He's also developed a knack for doing the little things that the high profile players weren't as apt to do the last time Smith touched the floor. 

Black scraps for rebounds. He plays tough, physical defense and has learned how to anticipate in passing lanes.

What about Ricky Council? Do you put him on the bench for Smith?

That means sitting down the SEC's second leading scorer and trading a grown man with a body built to hold up to the physicality of SEC play for an 18-year old with a slight build who hasn't proven himself against conference opponents. 

Again, you're also trading off hard-earned chemistry and SEC experience, which was the biggest adjustment for this talented group.

There's also that little issue with Council being unable to physically sit on the bench because of the problems it causes with his back.

He literally has to stand whenever possible if he's not on the court because of the tightness in his back.

The most logical way to use Smith for now is off the bench. Davis, and especially Black, are dangerously high on minutes.

They need time to rest and keep their bodies fresh. If Smith can come in for three minutes for Davis, then rest Black for three minutes, and give Council three minutes each half, along with subbing in for moments of foul trouble, he can prove valuable.

That gives him solid minutes without having to come off the floor as the other guys rotate through.

It's an approach that would give him 21-23 minutes per game. It also gives Arkansas a bench of Smith, Jordan Walsh, and Jalen Graham to stretch this team into a more natural rotation.

Up until now, Musselman has used a 7-man rotation for the most part, which has made it difficult for the team to hold up down the stretch and has contributed to the number of injuries the Razorbacks have had to tough out. 

For those who don't think that would be enough time for Smith, it brings him to his average for the season. And that was before Davis really asserted himself as not only the floor general, but the leader in every sense of the word.

Minutes would break down like this:

Davonte Davis – 33

Anthony Black – 33

Ricky Council – 33

Mahkel Mitchell – 27

Makhi Mitchell 27

Jordan Walsh – 21

Nick Smith – 21

Jalen Graham – 5

If Arkansas can put together those kinds of minutes, and Smith can adjust to the level of defense needed to compete in SEC games and the NCAA Tournament, this team can go a long way. 

However, if he's not up to par on the defensive end against more physical competition, his minutes will need to be shortened and Musselman won't be afraid to do it. Graham is a great example of valuable offensive tool who isn't quite up to the elite level needed to win in the SEC on defense.

Because he has missed 19 games this season, including all 11 SEC games, no one has any idea whether Smith can handle the what needs to be done in conference play. Even Black and Walsh had to go through an adjustment period, so it can't just be assumed.

However, Arkansas fans will most likely get a chance to find out beginning Saturday.

Most likely 21-23 minutes at a time.

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