Devo Time! Senior Leader Game Rising with SEC Play on Horizon

The second winter of Razorbacks' Davonte Davis coming at good time, which is normal

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Dec 31, 2023 12:33 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas have been the most inconsistent team this year Eric Musselman has assembled in his five seasons. Bad shooting, defensive lapses and turnovers have been the main constant in a disappointing 9-4 non-conference slate. However, an impressive 106-90 victory over UNC-Wilmington provided signs of Arkansas turning the corner as a team.

Expectations for Jacksonville’s Davonte Davis were on the rise throughout the offseason with his play in the latter half of last season. As a junior, Davis scored in double figures in 15 of the Razorbacks’ final 23 games. That includes an all-time performance of 25 points and eight rebounds in a second round win over Kansas to help the Razorbacks’ to their third consecutive Sweet Sixteen.

This season has been a challenge for Davis to find his role on a retooled roster. But, just like last season he is finding his groove at the right time. With the Hogs in a funk leading up to their non-conference finale, UNC-Wilmington provided Arkansas with one final tuneup. Davis responded in a huge way going for 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and a season high three steals against the Seahawks.

In each season Davis has played, he has nearly doubled up his averages once the calendar flips to the new year. As a freshman in 2020 he averaged a smidge over four points per game. Once the month of January came, he averaged over 10 points per game including 14 during his first NCAA Tournament appearance.

While averaging 10 points against teams in March of 2022, Davis’ biggest jump came as a junior when he averaged a shade over seven points per game. January came an he instantly started producing at rates unseen averaging 14.4 points per game and becoming a go-to guy behind the arc eclipsing a career best 34% from three. A slow start from deep was noted as he knocked down only 20% of his attempts in November and December of 2022. But, once the calendar flipped to January he struck at a fiery 41% rate, best in his career.

After a performance on Saturday that saw Davis convert three of his five 3-point attempts it showed that he is possibly returning to his groove. Even Musselman thinks his senior’s clock has reset.

“This is the time of year where Devo elevates his game for some reason,” Musselman said. “He’s got some sort of biological clock. He did it a game earlier than last year.”

Leadership is key for Arkansas moving forward. In his third game in a Razorback uniform, Keyon Menifield scored 32 points, a career high for the sophomore. Menifield mentioned that Davis took him under his wing once he got to Arkansas and showed him the ropes inside the program.

“That’s like my big brother,” Menifield said. "He took me under his arm. To see him get back to himself is amazing.”

A return of "New Year Devo" will be a welcome sight. There’s a correlation between Davis elevating his game and Arkansas being their best once conference play begins. Offensively, the Razorbacks looked much more fluid which is not a good sign for the rest of the SEC.

“I think we’re getting better,” Musselman said. “I was happy tonight offensively. It’s hard in a college game to score 106 points.”