Getting Menifield Back Could Have Been Part of Plan All Along

Did Razorbacks' Musselman figure all along they get would boost from transfer?

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Jan 1, 2024 8:27 AM EST
Original:
Jan 1, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Eric Musselman probably knew who he would love to have over a year ago. Watching Pac-12 basketball late at night, he kept running across this guy from Washington he just liked watching play.

When Keyon Menifield entered the transfer portal after his freshman year, Musselman probably had a rush of hopeful excitement. He wasted no time getting his staff on him. He had even excitedly encouraged his wife, Danyelle, look at him in games.

"We don’t really know any of his inner circle, we don’t know his high school [coach]," Musselman said after the game with Abilene Christian. "We don’t know anybody. Probably the most random recruiting ever. Made a phone call, did a Zoom. He and his mom liked us and they basically committed, and then came on a visit after he committed. This is what we expected."

123023-Davonte Davis-UNC Wilmington-andy

Menifield only had 11 in that game. He's been figuring it out after having to sit out the first semester. But now fans see first-hand what had Musselman so excited because the Razorbacks look entirely different now that he's finding his stride. Menifield put up a career-high 32 points against UNC-Wilmington Saturday and ignited the offense to a 106-point night.

"We’re a different team with his energy out there and his basketball IQ," Musselman said later. "We missed him the games he wasn’t a part of our team. We recruited him with the thought he could score. I didn’t think he hunted his shots tonight, which you really don’t say that about a player that scored 32. I thought all of his shots were great, and 17 free throws attempted is a lot."

Menifield also seemed to wake up Davonte "Devo" Davis, who look like the man who has sparked the Razorbacks for years. It was either that or just his annual awakening around New Year's Day. He's the most experienced player on the roster.

"He’s just an innate baller, you know?" Musselman said. "You could probably throw him on any team tomorrow and he would figure it out. Sometimes there are guys like that. He’s got unbelievable court awareness. We need him to practice a little bit harder. We need him to improve in some areas, but his teammates really like him. They like playing with him, and you can see that.

"We like coaching him. He’s got a great spirit about himself. And yeah, the assists both with him, and I thought Devo played great. I thought T-Mark (Tramon Mark) played great. I thought they were really efficient. Devo’s six assists and Keyon’s five, 11 out of that spot is important for us."

Razorback' Keyon Menifield reacts to another big play against UNC Wilmington — Arkansas Razorbacks guard Keyon Menifield reacts after one of the many big plays in a win over UNC Wilmington on Saturday night in final non-conference game before Auburn comes to town next weekend to open SEC play.
Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports

For his part, Menifield just seems to shrug it all off. He looked after the win Saturday night like it's what he expects. Or maybe more. With that confidence, the Hogs are beginning to find their stride at the right time with conference play starting Saturday afternoon against Auburn.

"It just comes natural," Menifield said. "Even from my last school it was a lot of alley-oops that I threw. I just made the right play if it is a bounce pass, alley-oop, just get my teammates involved. I can score, but I feel like I do better when I get my teammates involved and score, do both at the same time. It makes me more happy when I get my teammates involved."

That's what's been missing. Now you have to wonder if what Musselman saw on some late-night TV a year ago is starting to happen on the court with the Razorbacks. It would be nice to say just like Muselman planned, but even he had no idea other than hope what would happen.