Arkansas vs. Missouri was a tough one to watch, making the Hogs now sit at 9-1.
Arkansas vs. Missouri has been a theme the past few years, in the two major sports we watch. Razorback fans must be tired of losing to Missouri in the two major sports now, because I know I am. The hogs blow a lead against the Tigers in football and lose that game in a season full of hope. Now, Missouri is the team to end Arkansas‘ streak, a feat that hadn’t been done since 1994, the last time Arkansas won a National Championship. It has to be demoralizing, especially when you know that your school is historically better than the opponent. However, they were not better on Saturday and played their worst game of the season by far.
The game was close for most of the first and second half, but Arkansas could not get anything flowing. Here are a few key stats that will help you better understand just how bad the hogs were on Saturday: 19-71 from the field and 7-28 from three. That is bad, and I mean bad. Missouri was also able to double Arkansas in the rebounding department, with 51 to their 36. This cannot happen if Arkansas wants to show they belong in the top 25. This Wednesday, it really cannot occur when the hogs take on the number nine ranked Tennessee Volunteers.
In this one, there was good and bad to look at. Of course, when the number 12 ranked team comes into your house, and you put up a fight, it is not all bad. Some players showed up in this one, and others did not. That is kind of how it has been all season, the players we expect to play well do, and the ones we know will struggle, do. For example, Moses Moody has now made it known that he will be a force to be reckoned with at whatever level he plays next year. His scoring is always there, and he is one of the most reliable players from the free-throw line.
We have come to expect this from JD Notae, who has become a consistent scorer off of the bench, even if he shoots some dumb shots every once in a while. The Razorbacks need someone to step up, and it needs to happen now. Conference play will be tough if they don’t.