When the Arkansas Razorbacks 16-11 (5-9 SEC) enter Bud Walton Arena to face their oldest rivals, the Texas Longhorns 16-11 (5-9 SEC), the Hogs will be without their leading scorer, stealer, and rebounder and team leader in field goal shooting percentage, Adou Thiero.
According to ESPN, Thiero averages 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game and shoots 54.8% from the field. Arkansas will miss his presence more than they have missed their star freshman point guard, Boogie Fland. Fland is the Hogs' second-leading scorer and leader in assists. Therefore, the Razorbacks will face the Texas Longhorns tonight without their two top scorers. Thiero's absence reduces Arkansas to a seven-man rotation against a talented Longhorns team.
According to ESPN BET Sportsbook, the Texas Longhorns are 2.5-point underdogs against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Also, according to ESPN Analytics, the Razorbacks have a 55.8% chance to defeat the Longhorns in Bud Walton Arena. Make no mistake, though, Arkansas will have a much more difficult time beating Texas than in the previous game in Austin. However, if the Arkansas Razorbacks rise to the challenges of three keys to the game against the Texas Longhorns, they will defeat them in Bud Walton Arena tonight.
3 keys to an Arkansas victory against Texas
Trevon Brazile must recognize he is a Razorback
Given that Trevon Brazile must play extended minutes in Adou Thiero's absence, John Calipari will need him to give the Razorbacks valuable minutes. Unfortunately, lately, Brazile has done more to help opposing teams than to contribute to Arkansas. No matter what his problems have been, they need to end tonight.
If Trevon Brazile continues to appear to play for the other team, John Calipari should bench him and replace him with another player, even if that player has played limited minutes this season. However, if Brazile makes quality contributions, he can help Arkansas meet the challenges Thiero's absence presents.
Feed off Bud Walton Arena
Arkansas Razorback fans are ready to provide an electric atmosphere for the Hogs. Razorback fans know this is a game against their bitter rivals, the Texas Longhorns, and they will give them true Bud Walton Arena hospitality. To reward them, Arkansas's players must supply them with many reasons to cheer them throughout the game.
By feeding off the energy of the Bud Walton Arena crowd, Razorback players can avoid the long scoring droughts they often experience in games. To avoid those long scoring droughts, the Hogs must move the ball fluidly to put themselves in the best positions for quality shots. When the Razorbacks move the ball fluidly, every team they play will have difficulty defeating them.
Contain Tre Johnson
While it is challenging to stop the Longhorns' freshman guard, Tre Johnson, from scoring, Arkansas must make a concerted effort to contain him. D.J. Wagner must make a solemn personal commitment to containing him. Wagner has demonstrated that he can play tenacious defense, and he will need to prove once again that he can supply his team with that type of defense.
In Arkansas's previous win against Texas, Tre Johnson scored 25 points. He was the only reason the Razorbacks did not run Texas out of its own gym. Unhappy with the previous loss to the Hogs, Johnson is ready to achieve revenge against them. D.J. Wagner will be critical in determining whether Johnson can accomplish his goal.