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Arkansas basketball hits the road for Dallas this weekend, set for its first marquee matchup of the John Calipari era.
The No. 16 Razorbacks will face No. 8 Baylor on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) inside the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks. The Hogs opened their season with a 76-60 victory over Lipscomb on Wednesday, while the Bears stumbled in a 101-63 loss Monday at No. 7 Gonzaga.
Here are a scouting report and prediction for this weekend’s matchup between Arkansas and Baylor.
Can the Hogs hit open threes?
Arkansas went 4-for-19 from 3-point range against Lipscomb. If you count their two exhibition games, the Hogs are shooting 26.5% on threes this year.
More: Defense powers offense in Arkansas basketball’s win over Lipscomb to begin Calipari era
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Gonzaga made 13 3-pointers at a 41.9% rate in its blowout win over Baylor.
Calipari’s dribble-drive offense is still a work in progress this early in the season, but the Razorbacks created great looks against the Bisons, they just couldn’t get shots to fall. Boogie Fland struggled, going 1-for-8 from downtown. The entire team will need a better shooting performance to beat a hungry Baylor squad.
Bears present intriguing test for Arkansas frontcourt
Baylor’s Norchad Omier is only 6-foot-7, but he’s one of the most physical and athletic bigs in the country. Omier gobbles offensive rebounds and has a craft game around the rim. With Jonas Aidoo still trying to reach full fitness, Omier could be a matchup problem for the Hogs. He will be a good test for Zvonimir Ivišić and Trevon Brazile.
Josh Ojianwuna stands next to Omier in the frontcourt with a more traditional 6-foot-10 frame, serving as Baylor’s rim protector. If there is a weakness for Baylor down low, it’s depth: The Bears didn’t play another forward more than six minutes against Gonzaga.
Nov 6, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arkansas-basketball-vs-baylor-scouting-100735906.html
Author : Ft. Smith Southwest Times Record
Publish date : 2024-11-08 10:07:00
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