JJ Andrews gave Arkansas a little bit of everything Saturday night, and that was enough to matter in a tight one.
In the Razorbacks’ 76-72 exhibition win over No. 15 Gonzaga at Bud Walton Arena, the freshman wing didn’t just score.
He rebounded, hit timely shots and turned in his best stretch after halftime as No. 12 Arkansas worked back from an early hole and then fought off a late push.
Andrews finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, falling just short of a double-double. Most of that impact came in the second half, where he piled up eight points and seven boards while helping Arkansas keep control on both ends.
That all-around effort stood out because Arkansas needed more than one source of offense. The Razorbacks stumbled early and let Gonzaga build a 36-26 lead with 2:14 left in the first half, but they answered with a 9-0 run to close the period and cut it to 36-35 at the break. Then Arkansas came out of halftime with another 9-0 burst and stretched that into an 18-0 run across the break, flipping the game and eventually creating an 11-point cushion.
The Razorbacks’ lead didn’t last without pressure, though. Gonzaga kept hanging around and cut the margin to two points late in the second half. That’s where Andrews made one of the evening’s biggest plays: he drilled a 3-pointer, and Billy Richmond III followed with another on the next possession to give Arkansas some breathing room.
Richmond was the top scorer for Arkansas with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Davion Thompson added 12 points and knocked down a key 3-pointer in the final minutes, while Miikka Muurinen also finished with 10 points. Cooper Bowser led the team with 10 rebounds.
Andrews’ work on the glass was especially valuable in a game that got physical. Arkansas was outrebounded 52-47 and outscored 36-22 in the paint, so the Bulldogs still exposed some areas the Razorbacks need to clean up before the regular season starts. Even so, Andrews’ activity around the rim and his willingness to contribute without needing plays called for him offered Arkansas a useful early glimpse of what he can provide.
The exhibition also served as a test against a ranked opponent before the results start counting for real. Arkansas didn’t play a perfect game, but it did show it could answer a run, make timely shots and lean on different players when the game tightened.
For Andrews, that was the point. He didn’t have to carry the scoring load to leave a mark. He just had to keep showing up in the moments that mattered.
Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for its second exhibition against Memphis.
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Arkansas Looked Real Against Gonzaga But One Rotation Battle Is Brewing
Arkansas 76-72 exhibition win over Gonzaga offered an early look at a roster that already has plenty of length, athleticism and shot creation. The freshmen made their presence felt, with Billy Richmond leading the way with 17 points, while the Razorbacks also got enough from the rest of the rotation to hang on against a veteran-level opponent in a game that should leave them feeling encouraged about their depth.
One of the more interesting questions coming out of the night is how the minutes will sort out in the backcourt and on the wing. Jordan Smith, one of the highest-ranked newcomers, had a rough offensive showing in going 0-for-9 from the field and finishing with one point, while Jeremiah Wilkinson saw limited action in the second half after scoring seven points overall. For a team with as much talent as Arkansas has assembled, the next step is figuring out which young pieces will force their way into a larger role once the games start counting. [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 🡒]