Effort Least of Razorbacks' Issues Against Bulldogs

Getting drummed luckily wasn't in cards Saturday's road loss as season winds down

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Feb 18, 2024 12:57 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - With the season winding down there isn't much tie to right the ship to salvage Arkansas' season. Effort, not having doors blown off the so-called 'Muss Bus,' was a slight morale boost against Mississippi State.

What a wild ride 2023-2024 has been with injuries, lack of chemistry and even effort has been in question. That's something no one would have predicted coming from an Eric Musselman-led team. It wasn't only Razorback fans ready to crown their team as preseason national title contenders, either. Field of 68's John Fanta was ready to promote Arkansas heavily during a preseason show.

A solid nucleus of returnees combined with an impressive group of transfers and freshmen would be good enough to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Usually, a group of players coming together with one goal in mind, as recent history suggests, means good things for the Hogs' tournament hopes.

A quartet of talented guards coming from varying programs were likely ready to contend for a national title instead of doormats of the SEC. Plenty of games have come and gone this season with low effort 20+ point blowout losses during conference play. That has happened often for the Razorbacks during its SEC schedule before pulling its act together down the final 10-12 games.

Effort has been there for the Razorbacks but it's inconsistent. This is the same team that beat Purdue, with all its star players, inside Bud Walton Arena for a charity exhibition. Then, a month later the Hogs dominated Duke in the same building during the regular season. College Gameday was in attendance for the Kentucky game and Arkansas nearly pulled off a monumental upset. The mystery of the matter is why the Hogs are getting up for huge name teams but not the regular suspects like South Carolina, Florida and Auburn.

When adversity hit this team in the face, its effort didn't match its desire or culture. Small deficits ballooned to larger leads before halftime even made an appearance on the clock. Until today, the Razorbacks chose not to punch back but the hope that it will continue is slim even if the head coach states otherwise.

"Effort hasn't been the issue," Musselman said. "We played a good first half against Tennessee but played very poorly in the second half. Tonight, I thought we played for forty minutes."

Physicality is another issue Arkansas has struggled with throughout the season, especially with bigger guards. Nightly, the issue is the Razorbacks allowing dribble drives at will against every team in the country and not able to find any help on the backside. The Hogs' do allow its opponents seemingly an infinite amount of second-chance baskets. Mississippi State pulled in 17 offensive boards Saturday and converted them into 13 points.

With Jalen Graham out due a shoulder injury and Trevon Brazile still missing time with knee soreness, Arkansas was woefully thin in the post. The Razorbacks played much of the game with two centers on the court or Jeremiah Davenport manning the 4-spot against veteran Cameron Matthews. The power forward had a huge day recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He was nearly perfect from the field knocking down 6-of-7 shots.

"Look, Mississippi State is an extremely physical team," Musselman said. "Coach [Chris] Jans is a great defensive coach."

Despite being short a handful of players whether it be to injury or fouls, Arkansas fought inspiringly with a sour season playing out. This group is playing hard when it wants to. Musselman must continue pushing the right buttons to get the most out of his team. Having Makhi Mitchell (21 points, nine rebounds) and Khalif Battle (18 points, two rebounds and two assists) playing at maximum level will spell Tramon Mark from having to do it all on his own.

"We've got a short roster and three players foul out," Musselman said. "Super proud of our team. Fans, I know our locker room, our coaching staff, our players are super frustrated without coming away with the win. But, with any ball it's can you improve? Do you give it your all? Do you play with effort, energy and enthusiasm? We played as hard as we possibly could tonight."