Razorbackers
Fansided

Arkansas Razorbacks vs Missouri Tigers: Game Preview

By Matt Jenkins

Jan 9, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trey Thompson (1) tries to stay inbounds during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trey Thompson (1) tries to stay inbounds during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Razorbacks have won 2 in a row, and begin a two-game road trip starting tomorrow night as they travel to Columbia, Missouri to take on the Tigers in SEC Play.

The Razorbacks were in a close game with Mississippi State on Saturday, until late in the 2nd half when the Razorbacks closed the game on a 20-9 run to beat the Bulldogs, 82-68. The key talking point of the game was the huge game for Razorbacks sharp shooter Dusty Hannahs. Hannahs had been struggling as of late with his shot, but clearly found his groove against MSU. Hannahs shot 9 of 16 from the field, scored a career high 26 points, and also set a career high with eight 3-pointers. Up until this game, Hannahs was only 4 of 17 behind the arc.

Right behind Hannahs was senior guard Anthlon Bell, who netted 25 points for the Razorbacks, and was 5 of 7 from behind the arc. Bell and Hannahs combined for 51 of of the Razorbacks 82 points. That’s a deadly combination when these two are on, and they look to carry on their momentum when they take on Missouri. Plus, it always helps when your a double-double performance by Jabril Durham (10pts, 12 assists), who has been huge for the Razorbacks as of late.

Jan 9, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Dusty Hannahs (3) shoots over Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Gavin Ware (20) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 82-68. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Dusty Hannahs (3) shoots over Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Gavin Ware (20) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 82-68. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Missouri will play your typical style of basketball; slowing the down the pace of the game and forcing the opposing team to either adjust or force the action. The Tigers are coming off a 76-61 victory over the Auburn Tigers, which saw their freshman guard Kevin Puryear secure his first career double-double, scoring 14 points and snatching 11 rebounds. Slowing Puryear will be key for the Razorbacks, as he has been doing a little bit of everything for the Tigers this year. He has  reached double-figure scoring in 11 of 15 games this year.

Two keys to Mizzou’s victory over Auburn; Mizzou forced 14 Auburn turnovers, which led to 13 Tiger points and found success in getting to the free throw line and making those attempts, going 25 of 33 from the line. Several of Arkansas’ losses can be placed on their ball control and not turning the ball over. That’s going to be crucial in this game, especially with how Missouri plays, slow and in control. If the Razorbacks turn the ball over early and frequently, its going to be a tough hill to climb for the Razorbacks.

Keys to Victory:

  • Limit Turnovers: Keep your turnovers below 7, and the Razorbacks should be fine. If you commit more turnovers, then your going to need help on the defensive end.
  • 40 Minutes of Hell, DO IT: Enforce your will of how the game will be played. The Razorbacks play much better when the game is an up and down game with minimal to no down time. Don’t force the action, but be aggressive.
    • Force turnovers

    : This is the easiest way to get scoring opportunities. The Razorbacks forced 14 turnovers against Mississippi State.

    More from Razorbackers

    With that same defensive effort, the Razorbacks will find themselves in good shape.

  • Execute your half court offense: This has been the Razorbacks Achilles heel all year, when the game isn’t up tempo, the Razorbacks have struggled. In this game, the Razorbacks will have to be very efficient in their half court sets, and not rely solely on their fast break offense.
  • Play inside-out: Get Moses Kingsley going early. Let him work down low and look for two of the hottest shooters in the SEC right now, Anthlon Bell and Dusty Hannahs. If Bell and Hannahs still have hot hands, it could mean another successful day for Kingsley, who was 2 rebounds away from a double-double. (13pts, 8 rebounds)
  • Successful Bench Play: The Razorbacks’ bench MUST BE MORE EFFECTIVE. The bench combined for 5 points. REALLY? Unacceptable.

    • Players to Watch: Dusty Hannahs, Anthlon Bell, Moses Kingsley, and Jabril Durham.

    Next: Alex Collins Declares for the NFL Draft

    The Razorbacks look to extend their win streak to 3 games, as they meet Mizzou for a scheduled 8pm tipoff on the SEC Network. Make sure to stay tuned with Razorbackers.com for exclusive postgame material following the conclusion on this game. The Razorbacks need to win this game, because up next is arguably one of the hottest teams in the nation, LSU… One game at a time though.

    WPS.

    Home/Basketball