John Calipari and the new and improved Arkansas basketball team's first showing in Bud Walton Arena was nothing short of spectacular. The Razorbacks beat Kansas 85-69 in the preseason charity exhibition game at Bud Walton.
The Hogs' backcourt looked phenomenal. Kentucky transfer DJ Wagner led the team in points with 24, looking like what the Wildcats expected out of him as a freshman. He hit his shots at a 66.6 percent clip, including back-to-back three-pointers to start the game. But it was freshman Boogie Fland who stole the show.
Fland played above his age. He was smooth in the paint, had an amazing touch in the midrange, and looked calm and collected under duress. He shot 53 percent from the floor, with all but two coming from beyond the arch. If Wagner and Fland can play like that for the rest of the season, the Razorbacks will be a dangerous squad.
The frontcourt was led by Kentucky transfer Zvonimir Ivisic. After sitting out a large portion of Kentucky's season in 2023-24 due to eligibility questions, Ivisic showed flashes of his potential. Big Z knocked down 50 percent of his shots, including two huge threes. The 7-foot-2-inch center played a point role from the post and looked like an improved passer, coming second to Fland in assists with four.
On defense, the Razorbacks were a nuisance all over the court. Twenty-one of Arkansas's points came off of turnovers. Kansas turned the ball over 17, and 12 were Arkansas steals, led by Fland's 6. That's including this highlight play below.
OFF-THE-BACKBOARD PASS FOR THE DUNK 🔥 @CoachCalArk's Hogs are must-see TV 🤩 @RazorbackMBB
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 26, 2024
📺 SEC Network pic.twitter.com/k6nAEV1p5D
Of Course, Kansas was playing without star player Hunter Dickinson and a few other injured Jayhawks, so Hog fans need not overreact. However, it's hard after a performance like that.