Calipari hopes that pigs can avoid problems that led to losses

Arkansas coach John Calipari is hoping his Razorbacks get off to a better start than in previous road games this season. If they don’t show up in Miami tonight, the mediocre Hurricanes could ruin the Hogs’ long trip to South Florida.

The Hogs trailed Illinois 11-0 in a neutral site game at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Thanksgiving Day. They never really threatened the Fighting Illini and lost 90-77.

Almost a month ago, on November 9th, the Razorbacks faced then-No. 1.8 Baylor in another neutral matchup at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Baylor took a 4-0 lead, which grew to 21-13 midway through the first half.

The Hogs battled throughout against the Bears in a rollercoaster ride that saw Baylor lead by 11 in the first half and by nine several times after halftime. Arkansas got within three with 22 seconds left but lost 72-67.

Adou Thiero, the Hogs’ 6-8 forward, led the team with 24 points against Baylor and 26 against Illinois. His aggressiveness and high energy kept Arkansas within reach in both games, but the Razorbacks seemed to be losing in both games.

Tonight’s game at Miami’s campus in Coral Gables, Florida, begins at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Arkansas (5:2) is the 3.5-point favorite over the Hurricanes, who have scheduled a “white out” for the audience.

Miami (3-4) struggled after a 3-0 start. The Canes lost 83-79 on Saturday to a Charleston Southern team that was 1-7 before the game.

Further defeats for coach Jim Larrañaga’s team came against Drake (80-69), Oklahoma State (80-74) and VCU (77-70). Overwhelming victories, all by at least 24 points, came against FDU, Binghamton and Coppin State.

“It’s the same problem since we started training in July. Our defense and defensive rebounding are just not at the level we need to play at,” Larrañaga said at Monday’s press conference. “According to KenPom, which rates your efficiency in offense and defense, we rank 276th in defense.”

Arkansas is ranked 20th in KenPom’s defensive rating, but is a disappointing 73rd on offense. Miami is ranked 25th on offense, largely due to its first three wins in which they have combined for 294 points (113, 88 and 93).

Larrañaga said his Elite Eight team from three seasons ago compared itself to this year’s team early in the season when it came to poor defensive and rebounding stats. “As we got better,” he said, “we started winning more games.”

In the 2021–22 season, the Canes lost in the Elite Eight to eventual national champion Kansas. The next year they reached the only Final Four in program history, losing to eventual champion UConn. This year’s squad doesn’t appear to have that potential, but Larrañaga has hope due to his offensive prowess, which includes four scorers averaging double figures.

In Monday’s press conference, Larrañaga was asked about the game against Arkansas. He’s “pretty familiar with Coach Cal’s teams,” he said, noting that it’s a typical roster that features a number of future NBA players.

In particular, he emphasized how his team must control “Big Z,” the Hogs’ 7-foot-2 forward Zvonimir Ivisic, who is a competent threat from beyond the 3-point line. He praised Thiero and Ivisic and warned the “Canes have to defend Arkansas” and rolled lob passes to those two.

He referenced Hall of Fame legend Karl Malone while talking about how Thiero will grab a defensive rebound and finish the fast break with a dunk. Strong and fast, he needs to be controlled, said the trainer.

Larrañaga also mentioned strong and athletic 6-4 guard DJ Wagner and versatile Johnell “Nelly” Davis, who led FAU to the Final Four two years ago. But the veteran coach said it was freshman point guard Boogie Fland who was Arkansas’ spark plug.

He talked about Fland being a “one-man fast break” and how his speed and feel for the court fuel the Hogs’ offense. Larrañaga compared Arkansas’ ability to control the middle ball to that of NBA teams, specifically pointing to Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and center Nikola Jokic.

Really high praise. Let’s see if the Razorbacks can get off to a better start on their third road trip of the season and live up to the great scouting report Larrañaga provided to the media in Miami.

• Time to tone down the negativity following Pittman’s return for Hogs

• Cameron Ball announces return for fifth season with the Razorbacks

• Good and bad early news in the portal, Coaches | Fixated on Razorbacks

• Razorbacks are now looking for a new backup quarterback for next year

• The SEC appeal addresses the question of whether Hogs are playing the wrong Tigers in rivalry week

• Subscribe to us and keep following us YouTube
• Follow HogsSI on X And Facebook