Razorbacks Basketball is Struggling, but Shows Promise

The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball is in full swing, and it’s been a shaky year thus far. The Razorbacks currently sit at 3-3 on the year, with wins against Southern Univ., Charleston Southern, and Northwestern State last night in a 117-78 win. The Razorbacks losses have come against quality opponents in Akron, Georgia Tech, and Stanford in the NIT Tip-Off in Brooklyn, New York.

The upcoming schedule for the Razorbacks isn’t any easier, as the Hogs travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for a big matchup against Wake Forest, followed by 5 home games at Bud Walton Arena and Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. Finally, Arkansas rounds out the non-conference portion of their schedule by traveling to Dayton to take on the Flyers on December 30th.

Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anton Beard (31) attempts a shot during the first half of the SEC Conference Championship game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

One problem the Razorbacks have faced this year is their youth and inexperience. Just think about what the Razorbacks basketball team lost after last season; Bobby Portis, Michael Qualls, and Rashad Madden, to name a few. Also, add in the players that were involved and suspended in the counterfeit money scandal. The Razorbacks will add Anton Beard, who was in the counterfeit scandal, at the end of the semester. He will be eligible to play on December 18th.

With Beard, the Razorbacks will get two things back; experience and a true point guard. Beard showed all through last year that was a valuable piece to the Razorbacks’ success running point guard, and that’s what this years team has been missing; a true point guard to run offense. Right now, the Hogs don’t have a true point guard, and it’s shown. We have tons of shooters, but nobody to facilitate the offense. When Beard returns, he will without a doubt make a difference.

Will his presence be enough to turn around the teams sluggish start? We’ll see. This team is very young and inexperienced. The more the guys play together and get better with one another, you will start to see results. But it will take time, something that’s hard to accept. The chances of another 20+ win season, like we had last year, will be a miracle to reach this year.

It can happen, but I’m not jumping on the bandwagon just yet. Let’s see what happens when Anton Beard returns, and then I’ll make my final judgment.

Next: Hogs Get To 7-5 The Long Way Around

Next up is Wake Forrest, this Friday at 6pm on ESPN3. Make sure to stay tuned to my weekly basketball column, updating you on the weeks games and what my take is on the men’s and women’s Razorback Basketball Program.

WPS.