Arkansas had a chance to upset the No. 1 ranked team in Auburn but could not close out the game in the final minutes, losing 60-67 on the road. Their defense kept them in the game, but a shooting slump and poor decisions down the stretch cost them the victory.
This is a consistent occurrence for the Hogs, staying within reach of a win against a ranked opponent. They prove to be a great team and when everything is clicking, they are good enough to beat any opponent. However, something always seems to get in the way of closing out tight games. That could be attributed to the lack of depth after Boogie Fland's injury, causing them to get worn out near the end.
They are currently listed as one of the "Last Four In" teams in Joe Lunardi's bracketology. A loss against Auburn won't move the needle much, but time is running out for the Hogs to secure a spot in the big dance.
Box Score Analysis: Arkansas vs. Auburn
Scoring Droughts
The offense has been an issue for Arkansas all season, and they consistently go on long scoring droughts that diminish their chances of pulling off wins. In the second half, they battled back from a nine-point deficit and took the lead 58-57 with 3:06 left on the clock. After taking the lead, they failed to score another basket the rest of the game.
Of course, other factors played a part in this loss like giving up 13 offensive rebounds, missing seven free throws, and going 3-19 from three. However, going cold on offense for long stretches has been a problem in almost every outing and ultimately cost them this game.
Defense
The Hogs have been spectacular on the defensive end this year, keeping them in games against top-tier teams like Auburn and Texas A&M. They were able to be disruptive, force tough shots, and create turnovers that created opportunities on offense. They forced Auburn to commit 12 turnovers, which included 10 steals. They also blocked five shot attempts led by Zvonimir Ivisic, who had three.
Overall, the Razorbacks held Auburn's offense in check, only allowing them to shoot 40.3% from the field and 16.7% from behind the arc, including 0-10 from three in the second half. Their defense gave them an opportunity to upset the No. 1 team in the nation.
Missed Opportunities
After losing their first five games in conference play, the Razorbacks seem to have turned their season around. However, they have had a chance to win a number of conference games including against top-10 teams in Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M. Whether it's free throws, rebounding, poor shooting, or bad decision-making, they always seem to miss out on great opportunities to pull out the win.
It was no different against Auburn going on a shooting slump and making mistakes down the stretch. They need to execute on both ends of the floor in their final five games to have a chance at making the NCAA tournament.