After suffering a blowout loss to the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers 14-1 (1-1 SEC), the Arkansas Razorbacks 11-4 (0-2 SEC) returned to the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena to face the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels 13-2 (2-0 SEC).
Although Arkansas performed well for much of the first half against Ole Miss, achieving a lead as large as nine points, the team allowed the Rebels to tie the game at halftime, which was disappointing for Razorback Nation, given that Ole Miss did not present the Hogs with any challenges that should have resulted in a tie at halftime.
As has been argued, Arkansas lacks competitive fire, which is why they let the Rebels tie the game at halftime. This absence of competitive fire is also the primary reason the Hogs were dominated in the second half.
ESPN disclosed that Arkansas shot 37.3% from the field. If the Razorbacks continue such poor shooting, they will not defeat any team on their remaining schedule. Ole Miss defeated the Hogs 73-66.
After a lackluster performance, especially in the second half, Arkansas fans and media generally expressed disappointment with the Razorbacks’ performance against Ole Miss in Bud Walton Arena.
Social Media Reactions: Arkansas basketball vs Ole Miss
Pinto, an Arkansas fan with a large social media following, stated, “Chris Beard coached circles around Cal tonight.”
Chris Beard coached circles around Cal tonight…
— pinto (@pinto479) January 9, 2025
Jackson Collier, an Arkansas basketball beat writer at Hawg Beat, noted Boogie Fland's and DJ Wagner's poor shooting.
FINAL: No. 23 Ole Miss 73, Arkansas 66
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) January 9, 2025
Razorbacks looked pretty hapless for the final 30-ish minutes of action. Fland and Wagner combined to go 9-33 from the field. Arkansas will not win a conference game when those two can’t shoot
Need to change some things. Thoughts?
Hogtrough, a passionate Arkansas fan, found the game difficult to watch.
Wake me up when the Hogs can consistently score for 40 minutes
— Hogtrough (@Hogtrough) January 9, 2025
Dr. Antonio Daniels, an Arkansas Razorbacks Contributor at FanSided’s Razorbackers, contends that not enough attention has been devoted to the Hogs’ poor free throw shooting, which he asserts will be the team’s most challenging hurdle moving forward.
I continue to argue that not enough emphasis has been placed on Arkansas's poor free throw shooting, for it is the team's greatest hurdle going forward. #WPS #Arkansas #Razorbacks
— Dr. Antonio M. Daniels (@paideiarebel) January 9, 2025
Trey Biddy, Hawg Sports Publisher, could only muster a “Sigh.”
Sigh. pic.twitter.com/dxPmpUDe9p
— Trey Biddy (@TreyBiddy) January 9, 2025
John Nabors, Owner of Inside Arkansas, wrote, “Hello darkness my old friend.”
Hello darkness my old friend.
— John Nabors (@JohnNaborsShow) January 9, 2025
Michael Main, a Best of Arkansas Sports staff writer, argued that the Razorbacks find themselves in a situation that is “Not ideal.”
Arkansas falls to Ole Miss 73-66 to take its first home loss of the season. 0-2 in SEC play with No. 8 Florida coming into town after a 30-point win over Tennessee. Not ideal…
— Michael Main (@MichaelMain__) January 9, 2025