Although the game was played in the most challenging college environment for an opposing team, South Carolina stuns Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, January 20, 2024. In the South Carolina Gamecocks’ 77-64 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Gamecocks never trailed. Even though this is the second disappointing home defeat for the Hogs, losing to the Auburn Tigers 83-51 two weeks ago, losing in Bud Walton Arena is something college basketball fans, especially Razorbacks fans, aren’t accustomed to witnessing.
This talented Arkansas team has demonstrated that it can beat any team in the nation when it gives consistent effort throughout a game. The Hogs beat Purdue (in an exhibition game before the regular season started) and Duke in an electric atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman lost some phenomenal players, Anthony Black (who, despite what some critics say, is doing a fine job in his rookie season), Nick Smith Jr., Jordan Walsh, and Ricky Council IV, to the 2023 NBA Draft.
Arkansas Razorbacks fans will never become comfortable losing in Bud Walton Arena, especially not in the dominating ways Auburn and South Carolina pummeled the Hogs. In the previous game, a home game, the Hogs blew a 20-point lead against Texas A&M, needing a buzzer-beating shot by Tramon Mark to win their first SEC game this season. Therefore, even in that win, the Razorbacks’ inconsistent play almost cost them a game they mostly controlled.
South Carolina Stuns Arkansas
Ironically, the Hogs’ win against Texas A&M was an unfavorable omen heading into the South Carolina game. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. The way Arkansas played in the second half against Texas A&M should’ve let you know this team wasn’t mentally ready for South Carolina—yes, even at Bud Walton Arena, the best home-court advantage in the nation.
Therefore, Musselman has had to reload his team after these players departed for the NBA after just one season in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
However, if you’ve only watched Arkansas play against South Carolina, you’re probably wondering if Musselman truly reloaded. Let there be no doubt; he has assembled another talented team. This is arguably his Arkansas team with the most depth.
While the ugly home loss to the Gamecocks may not inspire much confidence in the Hogs, it’s important to note that season after season at Arkansas, Musselman has led his players to weather slow SEC starts.
Although South Carolina stunned Arkansas on Saturday, Tramon Mark continued to show that he’s the real leader on this team. Mark had 18 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 32 minutes. No other Razorback player scored double-digits. El Ellis was the next-highest Razorback scorer, contributing nine points, two rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes.
Trevon Brazile Must Improve
For Arkansas to make the NCAA Tournament this season, Trevon Brazile must elevate his play considerably. He has had a limited impact on this team this season. Brazile must consistently crash the offensive and defensive boards and play more physically on defense and offense.
In the game against South Carolina, he had three points, six rebounds, and no assists in 25 minutes—such a performance is unacceptable for a player as talented as Brazile.
The Hogs’ Defensive Woes Continue
Although Arkansas must become a more physical team in general, their lack of physicality on defense is shameful. Teams can move Arkansas defenders where they want them and land in the paint with little resistance. To make matters worse, the Hogs constantly let players drive by them and score layups.
Parting Thoughts
If South Carolina’s stunning Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena isn’t enough to wake up these Razorback players, nothing will. This team lacks consistent effort and motivation, which is uncharacteristic of a team coached by Eric Musselman.
After South Carolina shocked Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Musselman stated, “We’ve had two home games where we’re not exhibiting the energy that we need to. We played against a good team with more energy and more connectedness and more toughness than we played with.”
It’s not the coaching that’s the problem for the Razorbacks; it’s the lack of consistent effort the players give.
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