FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 20 Arkansas was missing two key players due to injury, but had enough to defeat Pacific 91-72 Monday night in Bud Walton Arena.
The Razorbacks were missing Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo, two bigs, on Monday. Brazile was injured against Troy Friday night and Aidoo has been hampered all season. Arkansas (3-1) stretched a 44-37 lead at intermission to 91-69 with seconds remaining for the largest lead of the night. The first half was a 3-point shooting contest for both teams it seemed. John Calipari talked about Pacific's hot start from deep.
"Defensively, in the first half, giving up 3s like we did, I want you to understand we were playing in a way because all the time I watched was No. 2, No. 22, No. 1, driving the ball and getting near the basket," Calipari said. "So what we were doing was raking. So when they came out, we went like that (swiping motion at ball). But what did that open up? Three ball. So in the second half, we said you’re not playing that way, except Z when I put him in and left the guy in the corner."
The Hogs were hot from distance for the game. They shot 43% (9-21) with Nelly Davis, Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner and Zvonimir Isisic each making two. Adou Thiero added the other. Wagner was scoreless the last game but had 14 points and 4 rebounds on Monday night.
"Nice to have D.J. back being who he is," Calipari said. "Making shots, making baskets. He made a big play, an and-one when they got it close, which spread the game out."
Calipari and the Razorbacks will host Little Rock on Friday night. Any chance of getting either Aidoo or Brazile back?
"Well, Billy (Richmond) cramped up a one point," Calipari said. "I played guys too many minutes and Z just wasn’t getting it done, so I went small. We played without a center. But again, how we finished the game, didn’t matter who was in there. We did a couple different things to finish the game. Those are more massaging the clock a little bit. You’re not… You can give them four possessions or nine. In four, they have to make every single shot and we have to miss every single shot. But if you give them eight, they can beat you. That’s what these guys have to understand and I thought they did better.
"I hope we get one back, but if we don’t, I don’t think we can forfeit. I think we have to play the game. Today, when Karter (Knox) I think almost dislocated his finger or might have, what if he didn’t come back and we have six? Six happy guys. Exactly right. Second thing, we could get them (Pacific) to drive the ball. They seemed to want to shoot jump shots. Now, we were running post-ups and again, Z, you can’t have 7 turnovers and expect to play a lot. These other guys get healthy and you’re fumbling balls, then the other guys are playing. He did some stuff blocking shots when we needed him to, but I was running him to the rim. You’re not stepping out and shooting threes. Get to the basket."
The Hogs shot 25 free throws knocking down 20 of them for 80%. That compared 12 of 13 for Pacific. Getting that many free throws has to help the offense overall doesn't it?
"That, and you’ve got to make some threes," Calipari said. "And again, you don’t have to make them all, you can’t miss them all. And so, we make nine, if you remember, which you probably don’t, eight, nine or 10 threes on this team, you’re probably going to score near 90. Now, let your defense do what your defense does. You make four, like we did at Baylor, it’s a three-point game and you have a chance, but it’s hard, and then you’ve also got to hope your defense shuts them down to give them a chance. Just makes it tough, and you’re right, free throws, two things, it stops the game and gives us our breath. Sometimes I don’t want that because I’m trying to get to the legs of the other team. We’re trying to… They’re making all threes, well, do it on heavy legs and then you start missing. But, I agree, especially if we’re making them, which we shot them pretty good. What percentage was it tonight? 80%. If it’s 80% as a team, I’m happy. Keep getting fouled."
Thiero has seen his offense take off with the Razorbacks this season. He led the Razorbacks Monday night with 23 points while also adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks.
"How about this?," Calipari said. "And you’re saying that he ain’t taking 20 shots. He’s scoring 19 on 10 shots. Today, it was 8 for 10, but what he’s done is he’s matured. He’s in better shape. He’s stronger. He’s better with the ball because he’s stronger. He’s a better player.
"He came to us out of high school and I think he was a three-star player. You stay two years and now you could be a lottery pick? I mean, think about it. Now I’m going to tell you if you looked at h freshman and even his sophomore year physically, you didn’t see this. He’s grown into his father. His father’s 6’9” and that’s his dad. I coached his dad. I told him, ‘you’ve grown into your dad,’"
Fland followed with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Ivisic had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Richmond chipped in 9 points and 3 rebounds. Davis had 8 points and 6 boards. Knox 2 points and 3 rebounds.
Elijah Fisher topped Pacific (3-3) with 23 points, Lamar Washington 19, Elias Ralph 12 points, 10 rebounds and Jeff Koulibaly 12 points.
Arkansas (3-1) will host Little Rock (2-2) and will face Tulsa on Wednesday prior to the Hogs game. Tip will be 8 p.m. Friday and televised on the SEC Network.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
