With Season on Life Support, Musselman Changes Styles

Below average point guard play impacting team's true ceiling so more changes coming

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Jan 28, 2024 5:00 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas suffered its sixth loss in conference play, falling to Kentucky on Saturday, 63-57, dropping them to 1-6 overall in the SEC. Throughout the game, Eric Musselman seemed more peaceful, patient with the rotation on the floor.

While there was more teamwork, passing, energy and pride played with on Saturday, The Razorbacks continue struggling with turnovers. The Wildcats forced the Razorbacks into 13 turnovers for the game including eight during the second half. Careless ball protection kept the Hogs from upsetting the No. 6 Wildcats.

"We need better point guard play, straight up," Musselman said. "We changed our style of play today and it really helped our defense."

One question Musselman likely can't answer right now is which point guard will be most effective moving forward through the final 11 games of the regular season. El Ellis provided some offense Saturday finishing with seven points, three rebounds but a team-high five turnovers.

Even Tramon Mark struggled to hold onto the basketball with four turnovers against Kentucky. The only guard that made a difference at all in the plus-minus category was freshman Layden Blocker. The Little Rock native finished with five total minutes, scoring two points but was called for three fouls which limited his playing time. For the game he was a plus-7, the most efficient Razorback against the Wildcats.

"We're not a good offensive team. All you have to do is watch the game. We struggle taking care of the ball. Because of effort and defense tonight, were in the game and there's been a lot of games we haven't had a lead at all."

Similar to last season, maybe this team needs to slow the pace while playing ferocious defense and methodical offense. Arkansas is averaging a shade above 62 points per outing in SEC play. Its highest scoring output since conference play started is 78 points in a win over Texas A&M at home. The Razorbacks will nearly need to win out and score its first SEC title since 2000 to receive an NCAA Tournament bid.

"I do not fault their effort one bit tonight," Musselman said. "I thought they played as hard as they could play. I thought the first half it was flawless how they executed on both sides of the ball."

"As a coach, as a leader of the program, I liked the effort, enthusiasm, energy and connectivity, that's, you know, the roster is what it is right now. All those things are what you want. I think we inched closer to where we want to be."