The Arkansas Razorbacks 15-11 (4-9 SEC) and the No. 15 Missouri Tigers 20-6 (9-4 SEC) will battle tonight on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. In the previous game between these two teams, Missouri overwhelmed the Hogs with excellent shooting; the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 83-65 in Columbia. Therefore, the Razorbacks are seeking revenge.
Although this game has more significant NCAA Tournament implications for Arkansas as a "bubble team," it is also crucial for Missouri, given the team's desire to continue improving its resume to boost its seeding. Even though the Razorbacks are coming off a close loss to the No. 1 Auburn Tigers in The Jungle, Arkansas saw it can defeat any team in the nation, especially when it eliminates the errors that permitted Auburn to win the game. According to ESPN BET Sportsbook, Arkansas is a 1.5-point underdog against Missouri. However, ESPN Analytics gives the Hogs a 54.2% chance to upset the Missouri Tigers.
As the previously mentioned odds suggest, Arkansas is not the same team Missouri faced earlier in the season in Columbia. Therefore, while defeating No. 15 Missouri in Bud Walton Arena is technically an upset, many will not be shocked if the Razorbacks win. John Calipari's team has proven to be one of the best teams in the nation since its win against Kentucky in Rupp Arena. However, Arkansas must learn to play complete games and finish them with victories. If the Arkansas Razorbacks rise to the challenges of three keys to the game, they will upset Missouri.
3 keys to Arkansas upsetting Missouri
Bud Walton Arena must be electric
When the Arkansas Razorbacks step on the court in Bud Walton Arena, they must benefit from their fans' energy throughout the game. Hog fans cannot have the energy droughts that have occurred this season. Those energy droughts are certainly uncharacteristic of Hog fans in Bud Walton Arena. Missouri must feel that they are in arguably the most challenging place to play in the nation: Bud Walton Arena.
When Arkansas's players can feed off the crowd's energy, it helps them overcome the scoring droughts that have become too common for them this season. Energy matters. Arkansas fans who love to complain after each game the team loses need to ensure that, as fans, they have done everything possible to affect Missouri in Bud Walton Arena. Razorback players must reward them with relentless effort and competitive fire. Energy feeds off energy.
Zvonimir Ivisic must play well
In the game against the No. 1 Auburn Tigers, Zvonimir Ivisic made no meaningful offensive contributions. According to ESPN, he played 30 minutes and missed all ten shot attempts, including nine three-point attempts. Ivisic must rise to the challenge that he is the competitive advantage the Razorbacks have against any team in the nation. However, if he does not make vital offensive contributions, he does not benefit his team, especially considering he does not play defense and rebound at levels someone his size should.
Speaking of defense and rebounding, Ivisic must make valuable contributions defensively and on the offensive and defensive glass for the Razorbacks to upset Missouri. He is human, and he had a poor game against Auburn. Instead of permitting that game to hinder him, he must use it as inspiration to perform well against Missouri. Ivisic must return to shooting three-point shots confidently, and John Calipari must support him, even when two or three shots do not fall.
Move the ball fluidly
The present writer continues to urge the Arkansas Razorbacks to move the ball fluidly. When the Razorbacks move the ball fluidly, it causes their competitive fire to burn incessantly. Moving the ball fluidly was the key to upsetting Kentucky at Rupp Arena and helping the team realize it is one of the best teams in the nation. When Arkansas does not move the ball fluidly on offense, it fails to take quality shots, which leads to long scoring droughts. The Hogs cannot afford long scoring droughts against a truly talented Missouri team.
John Calipari must insist that his team move the ball fluidly. He has talented players who can shoot the ball well. If the Hogs desire to take the next step, they must prioritize beautiful ball movement. If the ball moves fluidly against Missouri, Arkansas will upset the Tigers.