UConn star Adama Sanogo on the left. Arkansas senior Kamani Johnson on the right. — Connecticut Huskies forward Adama Sanogo (21) rebounds the ball in front of Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Dixon (43) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. (Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports) Arkansas Razorbacks forward Kamani Johnson (20) lays the ball in against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. (Steve Roberts – USA TODAY Sports)

Sanogo is Why Analysts Say UConn Will Win in Sweet 16

However, the biggest threat to Eric Musselman's Razorbacks comes from an outside force

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Mar 20, 2023 7:06 PM EDT
Original:
Mar 20, 2023

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Get to know the name Adama Sanogo if it's not in your Rolodex already.

He's the sole reason why CBS analyst Seth Davis wasted no time declaring UConn would dispatch Eric Musselman's Razorbacks in the Sweet 16, ending the run of Arkansas Elite 8 appearances.

For those who haven't had a chance to see Sanogo's work, he's Corliss Williamson, just not as big and not quite as nasty. He's taller than Williamson and definitely a good player, but his demeanor physical style lack the Stone Cold Steve Austin intensity that Williamson had on the court.

To bring a comparison from this season, Sanogo is a smaller Oscar Tschiebwe with the footwork of the Razorbacks' Makhi Mitchell.

In an 82-67 blowout of Alabama back during Thanksgiving week, Sanogo put up 25 points while going head-to-head with Charles Bediako.

However, it should be noted that UConn went on an 18-3 run in a five minute span with Sanogo on the bench.

It was 10-10 when he went out. By the time the Tide's Brandon Miller hit a three that UConn wiped away with a pair of lay-ups, it was 28-13.

From that point on, all the Huskies had to do was play even with Alabama, which is exactly what happened.

While it was surprising how much better UConn played with the 7'2", 265 behemoth Donovan Clingan in the line-up as opposed to Sanogo, what was even more surprising was how Alabama managed to render the Huskies star ineffective on the defensive end.

On the offensive end, Sanogo can bang with the big guys who guard him, but when possible, he prefers to use his footwork and athleticism to create scoring opportunities without having to be overly physical.

This mentality extends to the defensive end. He plays his assignment as if his coach has pounded into his head that he can never draw a foul.

It's an aspect of Sanogo's game Alabama exploited that Musselman will probably find a way to use also.

The most dangerous part of the big man's game is his ability to screen.

Sanogo is a wanderer. He drifts all over the court, including out past the 3-point line.

As much hype as Sanogo gets, it's the guards who make the Huskies the sharks they are. As the big man ambles along, players like Jordan Hawkins, who hit 16 against Alabama and was 4-of-5 on 3-pointers against St. Mary's, shoot off his hip and launch a jumper before the brain can register what just happened.

Musselman spends a lot of time teaching guys how to fight through a screen, but there's often no space to fight through and the shot goes up so fast, there's no way to cut in front of Sanogo to defend the shot.

What this sets up is a scenario where Arkansas could end up in a lot of foul trouble because of their determination in stopping outside shooting.

There are two caveats that should worry the Huskies.

UConn has one of the most unique shot charts of any team. Consistently, there is a cluster of shots going up in the front half of the paint.

Beyond that is a massive barrier of empty space before the shots start again behind the arc. The Huskies don't take mid-range or even short jumpers.

Here are the made shots starting at the 12-minute mark of the second half.

Lay-up
Three
Free Throw
Free Throw
Free Throw
Jumper deep in the paint
Lay-up
Lay-up
Jumper deep in the paint
Jumper deep in the paint
Lay-up
Dunk
Three
Three
Three

Where there's lack of diversity, there's something that can be taken away defensively and no one does a better job than Musselman at changing some small dynamic to flip things in the Hogs' favor.

The second is how deep Arkansas is on players who can disrupt Sanogo. Makhi Mitchell, Makhel Mitchell and Kamani Johnson each have the tools to make life miserable for him.

What gives the Razorbacks the edge over other teams is that if one of those three fouls out while making Sanogo wish he hadn't gotten out of bed because of the physical toll it's taking on his body, there is no drop off in defensive ability, nor offense.

The Mitchell twins bring equal game on both ends of the floor with the slight edge going to Makhi on offense, but the drop-off is minimal.

Johnson brings more aggression in the rebounding game and, while he isn't going to go on a run, he is sneaky with his scoring.

The other concern with Johnson is how his energy changes this team. The second he hits the floor, his teammates go through a mental change that makes them even tougher.

Even if Sanogo makes it to the national championship game, this will be his most difficult test.

However, despite what Davis said immediately following UConn's win, it's not Sanogo who gives UConn a chance to beat Arkansas. That honor falls to Hawkins.

Thirteen times he's gone for 20+, including a 31-point performance, and shoots 41% from beyond the arc. If he heats up, it's typically lights out because the score gets away from teams so fast.

How to slow down Sanogo is a no-brainer. However, slowing down Hawkins is something only the most elite coaches can figure out.

And his ability to do so is what puts Musselman among the greatest out of game coaches to ever walk the sidelines of March.