3. Signs of Jonas
Where Arkansas has fallen short of expectations the most is in the front court. After averaging career highs with 12 points and seven rebounds in his breakout season for the Volunteers, 6-11 Jonas Aidoo joined Calipari to be Arkansas' enforcer. Thanks to lingering injuries to start the season, Aidoo has only begun to resemble the player he was last year for Barnes.
In the last five games, he's put up numbers similar to what he did in Tennessee. Consequently, Arkansas has looked it's best of late.
Razorback big man Jonas Aidoo addresses the media following the Hogs win over North Carolina A&T pic.twitter.com/yG4tJPub7W
— Inside Arkansas (@InsideArkansas) December 21, 2024
"No question that's natural. He's done a lot of great things at Tennessee and he's going back home," Payne said. "I'm sure that there's emotions involved. I'm sure they are going to want to go at him some. I'm curious to see how he handles it, but that's why you get veterans guys on your team to handle these types of situations."
"We need him. We need him 100 percent. We need his physicality. We need his scoring around the basket. We need his defensive presence. We hope he's feeling better and better. Hopefully he can help us come out and fight for a win."