Loss to Gamecocks Will Change Hogs' Future Roster Construction Plans

Razorbacks brutal loss to South Carolina will have Calipari questioning his decision for a shortened rotation for years to come

South Carolina Gamecocks guard Morris Ugusuk (15), forward Jordan Butler (0) and guard Jacobi Wright (1) celebrate a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At a time the Arkansas Razorbacks couldn't have a letdown performance it happened Saturday afternoon.

With all the good will that coach John Calipari's team has built since its victory at Kentucky Feb. 1 hasn't completely dissolved but the Razorbacks can't do it again. With an already short bench and two of its best scoring options unavailable to injury, losses are going to happen and did against South Carolina.

Arkansas Razorbacks guard Johnell Davis (1) drives past South Carolina Gamecocks guard Zachary Davis (2) in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Calipari's move to run with a strict nine man rotation while his other roster spots going to walk-on's has completely backfired on him. He knew going into this roster experiment that it would have huge ramifications if an injury happened to one key player (Boogie Fland) but Adou Thiero's absence has him down to a skeleton crew.

"We needed to have more [players on the roster]," Calipari said after the loss to South Carolina." You don’t plan on what happened, but we needed more guys. But, you know, when we had the guys, we played better as we got shorter. Less guys. But now, I’m going to say it again, it’s not only being injured, you can’t have three or four of your seven play poorly and you expect to win."

The Razorbacks were among the hottest teams in the country over the past month even with losses to top ten teams such as Texas A&M, Alabama and Auburn. With such a thin margin of error, Arkansas couldn't afford any bad losses like Saturday's at South Carolina.

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Colonial Life Arena hasn't been a friendly venue to Calipari throughout his coaching career in the SEC as he is now 4-6 overall in road games at South Carolina. Without a definitive return of forward Adou Thierio, Arkansas will have to continue fighting shorthanded toward an NCAA Tournament at-large bid and not let one bad performance unravel its hard work to get back in the discussion to dance.

"But, I’m going to say it again, from Febraury 1, the rest of February, there were eight games. We won five. 5-3," Calipari said. "Three of them were against Top-10 teams we lost to, and we had a chance in all three. These kids have fought and battled and played together and we hit a dud."

South Carolina Gamecocks forward Collin Murray-Boyles (30) celebrates a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Arkansas has two games remaining in the regular season including a huge road showdown at Vanderbilt and wrap things up against Mississippi State next Saturday. While there's no trades, late season free agency or such in the college game, the Hogs' are severely limited and Calipari will have to live and learn with it.

"Here’s what I’ll tell you right now. I can’t make any trades, I can’t pick up anybody at the wire, this is who it is," Calipari said. "So what we’ve done, how do we make this work? And that’s all I’ve been thinking about. That’s what I’ve been doing all season and now we’ve got two games left, we’re going to be in dogfights both games."

HOGS FEED:

• Murray-Boyles out-scores hapless Hogs for 34 shocking minutes

• Razorbacks didn't let go of the rope they didn't grab from start

• Little surprising about Hogs' massive loss to South Carolina

• Massive defensive target sets official visit with Arkansas

• Van Horn won't stress this year regardless of Hog's in-game deficits

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