Arkansas basketball’s 22-point loss to Auburn on Saturday night was not just another defeat, it was a continuation of troubling trends that have surfaced repeatedly this season. The Razorbacks didn’t simply get outplayed; they were outmatched in the same areas that have defined many of their losses: inconsistent defense, an inability to slow star players, and getting dominated in the paint.
Inconsistent Defense and Failure to Contain Star Players
The most glaring issue for Arkansas is its increasingly inconsistent defense. The Razorbacks have struggled mightily to slow opposing teams’ top scoring options, and Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall was the latest example.
Hall torched Arkansas for 30 points, marking his second consecutive 30-point performance. He was incredibly efficient, shooting 11-of-14 from the field and knocking down four of his five attempts from beyond the arc. Hall also contributed five assists and two rebounds, showcasing a complete offensive performance. Through three SEC games, he’s now averaging 27.3 points per contest.
What makes this more alarming is that Hall, while playing at a high level, is not the most dangerous offensive weapon Arkansas has faced, or will face, this season. Yet he had little resistance throughout the night.
This has become a pattern. Cameron Boozer dominated Arkansas in a loss to Duke. JT Toppin had his way in a Texas Tech loss but still was almost the reason the Red Raiders took the dub. In the loss to Houston, Kingston Flemings was having his way as well. Now Hall joins the list. Arkansas simply hasn’t shown the ability to disrupt star players or force the ball out of their hands, allowing them to dictate games far too easily.
Razorbacks Struggle Defending the Paint
That defensive inconsistency becomes even more pronounced in the paint, where Arkansas continues to get exposed. While Hall shot well from three, he did most of his damage inside. At 6-foot-7, the Auburn forward consistently overpowered Razorback defenders and finished around the rim.
Auburn outscored Arkansas 48–28 in the paint, a decisive margin that told the story of the game. The Tigers scored 26 points off layups and were a perfect 7-for-7 on dunks, repeatedly breaking down Arkansas’ interior defense and allowing the Tigers easier points than they should be getting.
KeShawn Murphy led Auburn’s frontcourt with 16 points, further highlighting the Razorbacks’ inability to protect the lane. Too often, Auburn got exactly what it wanted, high-percentage shots near the basket with little resistance.
Losing the Battle on the Glass
Rebounding has been another recurring issue, and Saturday was no different. Auburn controlled the boards, outrebounding Arkansas 37–28. Second-chance opportunities and extra possessions consistently favored the Tigers, allowing them to extend runs and put the game out of reach early.
When a team struggles defensively and then fails to secure rebounds, the margin for error disappears quickly. That combination has defined many of Arkansas’ losses this season.
The common themes in the losses are clear: defensive lapses, poor paint protection, and getting outworked on the glass. Adjustments are needed, and fast.
One potential solution could be changing defensive schemes to force the ball out of star players’ hands, making role players beat them instead. While that’s easier said than done, continuing to allow opposing stars to dominate is not a sustainable approach.
Losses will happen over the course of a season, but getting beaten by 22 points in a conference game is unacceptable for a team with Arkansas’ talent and expectations. If the Razorbacks want to turn things around, defensive accountability, rebounding toughness, and smarter game-planning must become priorities before these trends define their season.