Arkansas Preparing for Tough Old Dominion Squad
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While Friday night’s victory over Gardner-Webb was far from inspiring, the Razorbacks look to put a sluggish performance aside and stop a feisty Old Dominion team. The Monday night matchup will be the first between the two programs.
The Monarchs have a solid second-year guard in Chaunce Jenkins. The former Wichita State Shocker was a preseason all-conference selection prior to the season. He scored 13 points per game last season in 13 appearances which included 17 starts. This season, the Newport News, Va., native has scored 18 points per game and grabbed four rebounds.
Jenkins is a solid shooter, knocking down 57 percent of his field goals and 43 percent from three. In a 73-68 loss to Ball State on Saturday, the versatile 6-foot-4, 175 pounder scored 20 points and reeled in six rebounds in the contest.
Another player to watch from the Monarchs is Tyrone Williams, an Oregon transfer. Williams was once considered the second best JUCO player in the country a couple of seasons ago, according to 247sports.com. He is usually the first Monarch off the bench averaging 13 points and six rebounds from his guard position. The 6-5, 200-pounder, could cause matchup issues for the Razorbacks as Musselman believes he is a "really good player."
The Monarchs are fairly similar to Gardner-Webb in their attacking brand of offensive basketball due to their exceptional length. They don't go very deep in the post with their main contributor there stands a 6-foot-7. Only eight players in their rotation receive more than 14 minutes per game which could cause the Razorbacks fits defensively.
“They play small and play really fast,” Musselman said. “Identifying the ball as quickly as possible will be important. Keeping the dribble drive in front of us is going to be the key to the game. We can’t give up straight line drives because they’re really good attackers off the bounce.”
The Running Bulldogs kept Arkansas on their heels throughout the first half on Friday night, making a statement in the paint with 46 field goal attempts. The Razorbacks blocked 15 shots on Friday night, the most in a game since playing Missouri during the 1995-1996 season. However, Gardner-Webb found success on dribble drives finishing 14-21 from point blank range which drew the ire of Hogs' coach Eric Musselman.
"We're giving up too many three-point plays, the old-school drive to the rim, and-one," Musselman said. "We need to protect the paint better."
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