After a disappointing loss to No. 19 Illinois 6-1 (0-0 Big Ten), the Arkansas Razorbacks 6-2 (0-0 SEC) had to go on the road to face the Miami Hurricanes 3-5 (0-0 ACC) in the 2024 ACC/SEC Basketball Challenge. This game was a true tale of two halves: Miami dominated the first, and Arkansas dominated the second.
In the first half, Arkansas, a team that had difficulty defending the three-point shot against Illinois, continued to struggle with its three-point defense. The Razorbacks play quality defense. However, to be frank, the team’s defense was poor in the first half. To make matters worse, the Hogs were not making shots like they should have against the Hurricanes.
However, in the second half, Arkansas improved its defense, played with more energy, and started hitting shots, including from the perimeter. According to ESPN, the Razorbacks made 11 of 23 three-point baskets, 47.8% from the perimeter. Arkansas’s three-point shooting was crucial to its better performance in the second half.
The Hogs were a little more dominant in the second half than the Hurricanes were in the first half. This led to Arkansas coming from behind on the road to defeat Miami 76-73.
Although fans and media know this win was not a beautiful work of art for the Arkansas Razorbacks against the Miami Hurricanes on the road, the social media responses were generally positive for the Hogs.
Social Media Reactions: Arkansas basketball vs Miami
Pinto, a passionate Arkansas fan with a large social media following, appreciated the team’s effort in the second half and was impressed with Boogie Fland’s performance.
Impressive 2nd half to overcome that terrible 1st half for that gritty road win. Boogie is a lottery pick!
— pinto (@pinto479) December 4, 2024
Jackson Collier, Arkansas basketball beat writer at Hawg Beat, “loved” the Hogs’ effort to make the successful comeback against the Miami Hurricanes and was pleased to see Johnell Davis “assert himself.”
Main takeaways:
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) December 4, 2024
- A win is a win is a win. Especially on the road
- Loved the fight battling from behind and winning. Should be great experience down the road
- Johnell Davis asserted himself and hit shots - NEEDED for this team (and fans and himself)
- Fland has the clutch…
Mason Choate, Hawg Beat’s publisher, was happy to see the Razorbacks “avoid a bad loss.”
It was not pretty, but Arkansas picked up a 76-73 win at Miami. Freshman Boogie Fland made clutch shots late to help the Razorbacks avoid a bad loss. https://t.co/xQ1CC3c33a #WPS
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) December 4, 2024
Austin Farmer, Arkansas Razorbacks beat writer and Site Expert at FanSided’s Razorbackers, stated, “It was ugly, but desperately needed.”
It was ugly, but desperately needed.
— Austin Farmer (@FarmersaurusRex) December 4, 2024
Full story below: pic.twitter.com/u2kLtuOR9Y
Trey Biddy, publisher of Hawg Sports, said, “Arkansas needed that one!!”
Arkansas needed that one!! 76-73 over Miami. #wps pic.twitter.com/fPRFVvba7t
— Trey Biddy (@TreyBiddy) December 4, 2024
Josh Bertaccini, a veteran Arkansas sports journalist, asserted that this was an “Enormously important comeback” for the Hogs.
Enormously important comeback @RazorbackMBB tonight. Arkansas rallies past Miami for 76-73 road win in SEC/ACC Challenge. UA improves to 6-2 this year. pic.twitter.com/6uDz7qDsM8
— Josh Bertaccini (@TheRealNWAJB) December 4, 2024
Markansas, an Arkansas fan, noted the Razorbacks’ improved performance in the second half.
I think they figured some things out there in the second half.
— Markansas (@birchtreemark) December 4, 2024