Musselman’s Message of Three-point Defense Finally Sinks In

Razorbacks' best three-point defense comes up big at least for confidence sake

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Feb 12, 2024 2:16 PM EST
Original:
Feb 11, 2024

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At least for a few days, Arkansas fans can enjoy another SEC victory. Earning a tough victory against Georgia inside Bud Walton Arena 78-75 wasn’t always pretty down the stretch.

What stuck out was the Razorbacks’ willingness to defend the three. The Bulldogs made one of their first 12 three-point attempts before finishing 4-of-18 for the game. Arkansas has shown uncharacteristically bad defense, allowing teams to make eight threes per game, ranking No. 252 in college basketball. Defensive struggles for Arkansas have been well documented going back to non-conference play against UNC-Greensboro.

"We’ve basically had the same defensive concepts for eight years," Musselman said following the 78-72 loss to the Spartans. "We might have to change some things for the lack of ability, especially with guard play, to keep the ball in front of us and also contest the three. That seems to be problematic to do both. Tonight, we were suppose to take away the three but certainly didn’t do that."

The sport has evolved into a three-point contest for the most part over the years as analytics have dictated changes in approach. Arkansas has seen teams jack up 22 attempts, ranking No. 202 in the nation. Improvement came at a dire time for the Razorbacks with slim hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid.

Solid close out from guards and keeping hands in the faces of Georgia’s shooters. In the Jan. 10 matc-hup, Georgia shot much better at home, going 9-of-27 from deep. Noah Thomasson and Justin Hill combined to go 6-of-13 inside Stegman Coliseum. However, the duo went 1-of-4 Saturday.

"That's what we talked about," Musselman said. "It's hard to make threes if you're so close to them that you run them off the three point line and you have no air space. So, that's as good as we've done against a quality team guarding the three, without a question."

"We've struggled to score at times," Musselman said. "You know, if you don't guard the three then you need to create some points off turnovers. It's really hard but night we created live ball turnovers. The lead allowed us to get out and run. We were gonna go regardless of what the matchup was from Georgia,"

Arkansas was assisted mightily from 21 points scored off 14 forced turnovers. A part of the game that's seen sporadic success throughout the season. Playing four guards most of the second half in Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Keyon Menifield and El Ellis, it allowed Arkansas to play smaller, but at a faster pace. That combo of point guards on the floor at once helped Arkansas score 19 fastbreak points against the Bulldog Saturday.