Arkansas’ roster is loaded with freshmen, and ESPN’s Jeff Borzello thinks the biggest question isn’t whether John Calipari will lean on youth - it’s how many of those first-year players will actually crack the starting five.
That’s not exactly a surprise for Calipari, who has built his reputation on landing elite high school talent and letting them grow up fast. Borzello pointed to that formula in ranking Arkansas’ third team under Calipari, noting that the Razorbacks have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country and a real path for two to four freshmen to win starting jobs.
"As seemingly everyone else in America looks to get older, John Calipari is sticking with what has worked for him for decades: bringing in the best high school talent," Borzello wrote. "The Razorbacks have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, and there's a case for anywhere between two and four freshmen to earn starting spots.
"Jordan Smith should be one of the elite guards in college basketball, while Miikka Muurinen, Abdou Toure and JaShawn Andrews could be battling for one starting spot."
Smith and Andrews turned heads during Arkansas’ four-game run in the Bahamas, where the Razorbacks went 4-0, and Toure also made his presence felt. Murrinnen was not eligible for that trip, though that won’t be expected to linger as an issue once the regular season begins.
Borzello also slotted Arkansas at No. 10 in his way-too-early top 25, putting the Hogs behind Florida at No. 1, Texas at No. 4 and Tennessee at No. 7 among SEC teams.
He had Arkansas ahead of Missouri at No. 14, Alabama at No.
16, Kentucky at No. 22 and Vanderbilt at No. 24.
There’s still a fair argument that the Razorbacks’ lack of college experience keeps them from being viewed as the SEC’s top team in early September. But Calipari has a track record of getting freshmen ready quickly, and Arkansas has a pair of useful home exhibitions ahead of the season - Gonzaga, ranked No. 13 by Borzello, on Oct. 24 and Memphis on Oct. 28.
By the time Arkansas opens in November, Borzello’s view is that Smith, Murrinen, Toure, Andrews, Ilia Frolov, Maper Maker, Davion Thompson and Caleb Ourigou should be ready for the spotlight.
In Other News...
Arkansas Has A Preseason Injury Concern Fans Can't Ignore
Arkansas went through its second scrimmage before the season opener with a few notable absences, and the biggest concern was running back Cam Settles being sidelined in a boot. Defensive linemen Keiundre Johnson and Quincy Rhodes Jr. also did not participate, though the broader mood around the roster still sounded relatively upbeat as the opener approaches.
Coach Silverfield said the team is mostly healthy heading into the first game, with the expectation that most players should be available unless they are dealing with season-ending injuries. Johnsons rehab timeline points to a return around Oct. 1, which leaves Arkansas waiting on key depth to come back as it tries to get through the opening stretch in solid shape. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Offense Gets A Tricky First Test In Silverfield Debut
Arkansas opens its season Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville against North Alabama, and for all the intrigue around a new staff, the first test comes with a familiar thread running through it. Ryan Silverfield is in his debut as Razorbacks head coach, Tim Cramsey is settling in as offensive coordinator, and a handful of Arkansas players followed Cramsey from Memphis, which adds a little extra familiarity to the way this game could unfold on SEC Network at 3:15 p.m. CDT.
North Alabama brings its own layer of connection into the matchup, with first-year defensive coordinator Clint Bowen working with a group that has ties back to Silverfield and Memphis. The Lions also arrive with some confidence after opening the season with a win over Samford, so Arkansas is not getting the usual sleepy nonconference warmup as much as a defense with a few personal reasons to make this debut interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Finally Gets Relief In The Secondary But The Fight Isn't Over
Arkansas got a needed break in the secondary this week, with safeties Caleb Wooden and Sean Williams cleared to play against North Alabama after a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. For a defense that has been dealing with uncertainty at that spot, the timing matters, even if the relief may only be temporary. Their case has now moved into the next phase, with the motion for a preliminary injunction extended to September 10.
Still, the bigger question has not been answered. The NCAAs new 5-for-5 eligibility rule gives Division 1 athletes five years to complete five seasons, but players from the 2022 class such as Wooden and Williams are among those running into trouble under that framework. So Arkansas can count on them this weekend, but whether they stay available beyond that remains tied to a legal process that is far from finished. [Read more 🡒]