One Year Later, Brazile Takes on Same Opponent With No Fear

After suffering a season-ending injury, sophomore forward keying fast start

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Nov 17, 2023 10:20 AM EST
Original:
Nov 16, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The team was 8-1 and clicking on all cylinders, but a 65-58 win over the UNC-Greensboro Spartans in 2022 had a heavy tax. Forward Trevon Brazile's string of SportsCenter highlight reels ended abruptly when he went down in the first half with a season-ending ACL injury, sending season's trajectory off course.

Nearly one year later, Brazile is back to fierce dunking and has cracked out of his sixth-man role into arguably the most important player on a team full of transfers and new faces.

"I feel like I’m probably at 120 (percent) now," Brazile said after a win over Gardner-Webb. "I feel like I’ve been at 110 for a while, so I feel great."

Brazile is reminding Razorback fans and the rest of the nation of the unique skill set he possesses. Through three games, he leads the team in both total rebounds (17) and blocks (9). He also is best on the team in field goal percentage (min. 10 attempts) at 11-for-16 (69%).

On and off the floor, Brazile has made quite the impression on both the coaching staff and the new transfers, who laud his increased versatility and leadership.

"I feel like he is going to be one of the best players in the country this year," guard El Ellis said in the preseason. "I feel like the staff and the rest of the guys feel the same way, so just to be able to have someone like that on your team, very humble. He really cares about winning. It’s great to have him."

One year later, UNC-Greensboro returns to Bud Walton Arena to take on the new "120%" version of Brazile. The Razorbacks will take advantage of Brazile's length to defend the three against UNC-Greensboro, which returns guard Keyshawn Langley, a 41.9% shooter from deep last year (90-for-215). Improving defense on the perimeter will be a focus after Arkansas allowed Old Dominion to shoot 11-for-24 in an 86-77 win.

"I hope [Brazile] just comes out and plays," Musselman said. "I think it's always hard for a player knowing there was an injury against a certain team. UNC-Greensboro is good. We were down five last year in this game at halftime. The game was a single-digit game. They have a potential all-league player back at center. They have the defensive player of the year in Langley back. They have a first-team all-league player back in Langley, one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball."

The opening homestand comes to a close against UNC-Greensboro 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. The game will be streamed on SEC+.