D.J. Wagner Embracing Off-Ball Role as Arkansas Finds Its Groove
It’s starting to feel familiar in Fayetteville - and that’s not a bad thing.
Last season, D.J. Wagner began the year off the ball, and Arkansas stumbled out of the gate.
The Razorbacks dropped their first five SEC games, and whispers of a lost season grew louder with each defeat. But when Boogie Fland went down with a thumb injury, Wagner slid into the point guard role, and everything changed.
He sparked a late-season surge that carried Arkansas all the way to the Sweet 16.
Fast forward to this season, and Wagner’s back in an off-ball role. But this time, the vibes are different.
Arkansas is 9-2, riding a four-game win streak that includes statement victories over ranked opponents in Texas Tech and Louisville. The Razorbacks are playing with confidence, and Wagner - now a junior - is playing a different kind of game, one that’s showing his growth even if it’s not lighting up the box score.
A Different Role, A New Dimension
Wagner has started every game this season at shooting guard, while freshman Darius Acuff has taken the reins at point. It’s a shift in usage - Wagner’s offensive possession rate is at a career-low 15.4%, and his 25.7 minutes per game are the lowest of his college career, just a tick below his freshman average.
And yet, Wagner is putting up his most efficient numbers to date.
He’s averaging 8.2 points per game - not eye-popping, but he’s doing it on a career-best 41.7% shooting from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. He’s taking smarter shots, making better reads, and turning the ball over less than ever, with a career-low turnover rate of 9.9%. Defensively, he’s been locked in, providing steady perimeter pressure and showing maturity on that end of the floor.
It’s not a breakout season in the traditional sense, but Wagner is evolving - and that evolution is helping Arkansas win.
Seeing the Game Differently
Wagner’s adjustment to playing off the ball has been more mental than mechanical. He’s not initiating the offense as often, but he’s processing the game at a higher level.
“As a hooper, it’s an easy adjustment,” Wagner said. “When you’re off the ball, you’re reading the defense. You’re seeing what they’re doing… it gives you more time to see a play before it happens.”
That extra beat of recognition is allowing him to attack more decisively. He’s finding seams in the defense, cutting with purpose, and taking advantage of catch-and-shoot opportunities. It’s a different rhythm than running the point, but Wagner is learning how to thrive in it.
And while there’s still room for growth - particularly in his shooting consistency - the signs are promising. Head coach John Calipari has been vocal in his support, praising Wagner’s aggression and encouraging him to mix in floaters when attacking the rim.
“D.J. played well, attacked the rim,” Calipari said after Arkansas’ 89-80 win over Louisville. “I need to try to get him to shoot floaters instead of trying to shoot a layup every time.
You’re in there, and they’re big. Just get it up off the basket.”
A Key Cog in a High-Powered Machine
Wagner might not be the focal point of the offense, but make no mistake - he’s a critical piece of what Arkansas is building.
This is a high-scoring Razorbacks squad, and Wagner’s ability to toggle between roles gives Calipari valuable flexibility. If Acuff or fellow freshman Meleek Thomas struggles with ball-handling duties, Wagner can slide right back into the point guard spot without missing a beat.
“To me, he’s a good off-the-ball guard. He’s better on the ball,” said former Arkansas assistant and current radio analyst Matt Zimmerman.
“That’s still a work in progress. This is a high-scoring Arkansas team.
They score it pretty well.”
NBA scouts are watching Wagner closely. Once projected as a potential one-and-done, he’s now being evaluated on how well he adapts to playing without the ball and how much his shooting improves. This season - with Acuff commanding the point - gives Wagner a real opportunity to showcase those skills and round out his game.
But Wagner isn’t caught up in the positional talk.
“I wouldn’t really say it’s a super big adjustment,” he said. “We’re all hoopers… I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. I feel like, as a team, we’ve been doing very good, so I’m happy.”
Back Home, Big Test Ahead
This weekend, Wagner heads back to his home state as Arkansas faces a major test against No. 8 Houston in Newark, just 82 miles from his hometown of Camden, New Jersey. It’s a chance for Wagner to show out in front of a local crowd - and for Arkansas to prove it belongs in the national conversation.
Regardless of how many shots he takes or how many points he scores, Wagner’s presence will matter. He’s a steadying force, a capable defender, and a player who’s learning how to impact winning even when the spotlight isn’t on him.
“It's good to play with him,” Acuff said in the preseason. “Another point guard, another great scorer, great guy, great teammate. I feel like that’s everybody on this team.”
If Arkansas keeps stacking wins, don’t be surprised if Wagner’s fingerprints are all over it - even if they don’t always show up in the stat sheet.