Arkansas walked out of its exhibition showdown with Gonzaga with a 76-72 win, and the result said plenty about how this Razorbacks group can survive when one of its biggest names is quiet.
The Bulldogs had the upper hand early, but Arkansas flipped the game with an 18-0 run in the second half and turned that burst into a double-digit lead. Gonzaga hung around, but the Razorbacks had already done the hard part. For a game between two preseason AP top-15 teams, it had the feel of a statement night for Arkansas.
The biggest headline was Jordan Smith struggling through one of the roughest outings he’s likely to have all season. The consensus five-star prospect, ranked in the top five of most freshmen lists, finished 0-for-9 from the floor and scored just one point in 23 minutes.
Smith also had to leave briefly after suffering an injury, though he did return. Even with that kind of production from one of the most highly regarded players on the roster, Arkansas still beat a top-25 opponent, which is a strong early sign for the Razorbacks.
Billy Richmond took over as the most productive Razorback on the floor. He finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and 12 of those points came in the second half, including some during that game-changing 18-0 spurt.
The All-SEC defender shared wing minutes with Karter Knox last season, but with Knox now at Louisville, Richmond has a real chance to step forward. Saturday looked like the kind of performance that can kick-start that move.
Arkansas also got major help from its other freshmen guards, and that might end up mattering just as much as Richmond’s scoring. JaShawn Andrews finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, Abdou Toure added nine points off the bench, and point guard Davion Thompson scored 12 points in 21 minutes. Those three handled most of the second-half work, while Georgia transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson played only four minutes and scored seven points overall.
That part of the story matters because it suggests Arkansas may not need heavy minutes from Wilkinson to win games like this one. At the same time, the freshman guards all looked ready to take on more, which could make the backcourt rotation more open than expected.
In Other News...
JJ Andrews Gave Arkansas Fans More Than Just Scoring To Love
An exhibition game at Bud Walton Arena gave Arkansas fans an early glimpse of what JJ Andrews can bring beyond the scoring column. The freshman wing finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in the Razorbacks 76-72 win over Gonzaga, and his impact grew as the game wore on.
Andrews did much of his best work in the second half, when Arkansas was trying to erase an early deficit and steady itself against a seasoned opponent. With the Razorbacks getting key runs and contributions from multiple players, his activity on the glass and willingness to do the dirty work stood out as another reason the crowd had plenty to like about what it saw. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas May Have Found A Frontcourt Answer After Gonzaga Test
Arkansas came out of its 76-72 win over No. 15 Gonzaga with more than a quality nonconference result. The Razorbacks may also have a clearer picture of how to steady the frontcourt after a rugged test, and senior transfer center Cooper Bowser was right in the middle of it. In 20 minutes, he put up nine points, 10 rebounds, a block and an assist while helping Arkansas absorb the kind of physical pressure Gonzaga brought around the basket.
John Calipari had reason to single out Bowser afterward, especially with Arkansas working through adjustments as the game unfolded. Freshman guard Jordan Smith Jr. didnt have his shot going, but he still found ways to contribute, and the Hogs needed every bit of that balanced effort as they battled to finish near the rim against Gonzagas defense. For a team trying to sort out its interior rotation, Bowsers showing offered a promising hint of stability. [Read more 🡒]
Miikka Muurinen Showed Arkansas Enough To Fuel Real Excitement
Miikka Muurinens first night in an Arkansas uniform gave the Razorbacks plenty to like, even if it came with the usual freshman rough edges. In a 76-72 exhibition win over No. 15 Gonzaga, the highly touted newcomer finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks, flashing the versatility and athleticism that made him such an intriguing addition to No. 12 Arkansas.
There were also the expected growing pains, from turnovers to a technical foul, but the broader impression was hard to miss. Arkansas coach John Calipari and Gonzaga coach Mark Few both came away noticing the same thing: Muurinen already looks like a player who can impact winning, even as the details of his game continue to catch up with his talent. [Read more 🡒]