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Arkansas basketball loses to No. 8 Florida, social media reacts

Arkansas fans and media were frustrated and disappointed with the team's performance against Florida.

ByDr. Antonio Daniels|
Jan 11, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton (1) dribbles around Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4) and guard Boogie Fland (2) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Jan 11, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton (1) dribbles around Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4) and guard Boogie Fland (2) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Although the Arkansas Razorbacks 11-5 (0-3 SEC) played well enough in the first half to upset the No. 8 Florida Gators 15-1 (2-1 SEC) in Bud Walton Arena, demonstrating flashes of the competitive fire they need to be successful in conference play and beyond, the Hogs did not maintain this competitive fire long enough to sustain a lead.

For brief moments in the first and second half, Razorback players gave fans reasons to generate the elite atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena that has made it arguably the most intimidating place for opposing teams in the nation.

Even though Arkansas provided fans with a glimmer of hope in the first half, as the game moved toward halftime, that hope was not only waning, but it was also changing to signs of the past losses the Razorbacks have suffered this season. Capturing momentum from Arkansas and never losing a grip on it, Florida carried a three-point lead into halftime, 28-25.

In the second half, the Razorbacks never could make critical defensive stops to regain the energy they had at the beginning of the game to develop a lead. Each time Arkansas made good plays, Florida answered those plays.

ESPN disclosed that Arkansas shot 30.% from the field and made only 24 of 35 free throws, 68.6%. Such poor shooting will not permit the Razorbacks to defeat any team in the SEC—and certainly not a team as talented as Florida.

Given Arkansas’s horrible shooting, the Gators defeated the Hogs 71-63. After the game, many fans and media expressed their frustration and disappointment with the Razorbacks’ performance.

Social Media Reactions: Arkansas basketball vs Florida

Johnell Davis

Arkansas senior guard Johnell Davis was the subject of much negative criticism after the game.

BX, an Arkansas fan, has concluded that Johnell Davis “STINKS.”

Jerry Jr., a podcaster for the Florida Gators, expressed that John Calipari is responsible for Johnell Davis’s poor play.

Bradley Tucker also believes Calipari is to blame for Johnell Davis’s poor play.

Steve Sullivan, KATV sportscaster, questions Johnell Davis’s shot selection.

Dick Vitale, an ESPN analyst, finds Johnell Davis’s poor shooting to be a “big mystery.”

Arkansas team criticism

David Waters, a podcaster for the Florida Gators, contended that Florida was able to have a mediocre game and still beat a “desperate” Arkansas team at Bud Walton Arena.

Andrew Hutchinson, Managing Editor at Best of Arkansas Sports, noted the Hogs’ scoring droughts, a significant issue for the team this season.

Jon Rothstein, a CBS Sports reporter, argued that the Florida Gators continue “to look the part of a Final Four contender.”  

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