Razorbacks' Blocker Has Best Number in Stat That Matters Most

Freshman didn't have best numbers against Texas A&M, but did provide most energy

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Feb 22, 2024 10:09 AM EST
Original:
Feb 21, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Makhi Mitchell, Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle had the stats in Arkansas' win over Texas A&M, but a freshman had the energy. Layden Blocker brought that, which has appeared to be the case the last month or so.

Don't ask for the numbers. I'm going with what my eye test tells me and the basketball nerds that play with all that can look it up. You don't have to be an expert to see the way he's creating what can be called "hustle" plays. The guy has to be a nuisance to the other teams. Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman backed it up.

"Layden gave us a huge lift off the bench as our bench play was really good and quite frankly the difference in the game was our bench play," Musselman said after the 78-71 road win. "In the 23 minutes he was in, he was able to guard (Wade) Taylor and did a really good job other than the fouls, but we want him to be aggressive defensively. He was phenomenal tonight."

Blocker's biggest influence was not in his numbers. He only scored two points, but had three rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Not impressive. Yet, the Hogs were +17 when he was on the floor, which led the team. That was his most important stat.

Mitchell, who scored 22 points in his continued emergence as an inside presence, was next with a +12. Blocker's defense, especially guarding the dangerous Taylor, could be attributed in large part to just hustle. It wasn't a surprise.

"I see it in practice every day," Musselman said. "I see his intensity, his effort in practice I’m really not surprised by him being able to guard star players like Wade. He was great. He held his own. He did his thing tonight. He made his first three ball of the season too. I’m proud of him."

The Little Rock native apparently is willing to do the little things that don't put up big numbers. Except in wins. That's the number that should matter the most in every sport. You don't even have to look at the numbers to see what Battle is bringing to the Hogs.