What Razorbacks Try to Do Obviously Based on Opponent

Against UNC-Wilmington have to figure out a way against team that beat Kentucky

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Dec 29, 2023 11:19 AM EST
Original:
Dec 28, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't waste your time telling Eric Musselman how difficult the Razorbacks' opponent will be this week. He's seen the video and knows UNC-Wilmington went into Rupp Arena and downed Kentucky.

No, they were the better team that game and John Calipari indicated the Seahawks beat the Wildcats. It wasn't really close. The Razorbacks had a test they handled against Duke, but outside of that it's been a struggle almost every game. Now they've got the holiday breaks behind them and Musselman is glad.

"It wasn't that long ago where we did not have a Christmas break," Musselman said Thursday. "When I played we never went home for Christmas and at Nevada, at least the first year or two, there was no Christmas break."

At least that's what he's hoping. It's if he can figure out how to get this team to play the same way they practice. It's the bafflement he's dealt with all season long. He apparently still hasn't figured it out.

"The guys have done great," Musselman said about his team's practices."We've been able to go two-a-days prior to the last game. We've gotten two-a-days since we came back from our Christmas break. It's allowed us to clean some things up offensively. It's allowed us to do prep. It's allowed us, hopefully, to see some of the holes that we have in areas that we have to have growth at."

Now he's just got to get that to the games and Keyon Menifield may be a big key. The point guard got cleared after finals to re-join the team and he's hit the floor at full tilt and it's made a difference.

"He gives us bounce," Musselman said. "He gives us a sense of urgency. He gives us speed. He changes the complexion of our tempo offensively. Defensively, he can pick up in the backcourt. We've been a low-volume steal team. Hopefully he can add to that. Last year as a freshman at Washington, because they play zone, we are hopeful playing man-to-man defense he is going to create more steals than what you would get opportunistically in a zone. Been very happy with him. I think offensively, he's a guy that's going to when the shot clock is winding down, he's another guy that is going to be able to get a shot for us when the shot clock is winding down."

That is something they can use. Davonte "Devo" Davis has been the only guy on the team that's been able to play with a lot of defensive intensity on a consistent basis. Menifield may be able to help with that.

"Keyon is another guy that off the bounce will be able to create shots for himself or others when a play breaks down," Musselman. "Or when teams pressure or deny. He's going to give an added dimension against some of these teams that have some defenses that try to take you out of your stuff. Even Wilmington, at times they’re going to switch one through five and you’ve got to be able to have guys that can play the game without structure. Keyon’s certainly a guy that can play and thrive against non-structured situations late-clock."

The Razorbacks will tip-off against UNC-Wilmington at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon in a game on the SEC Network and fuboTV.