FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 18 Arkansas didn't show any rust in its game after nine days since they last played returning to the court downing James Madison 103-74 Monday night in Bud Walton Arena.
Monday night marked the first time the two schools had met on the court. Arkansas (10-3) was able to bounce back from its 94-85 loss to Houston on a neutral court on Dec. 20. John Calipari said the Hogs have had good practices since returning from Christmas break.
“That was something we needed after nine days off,” Calipari said.
Calipari got good production from his two freshmen and the returning players from his first team at Arkansas. True freshman guard Meleek Thomas was in a minor slump prior to the break, but put up 28 points including six 3-point makes after scoring a combined 18 points in the previous three games.
"I don’t really worry about nothing,” Thomas said. “I don’t got no worry that I’m going to have a rough night. If I’m going to have a rough night, just throw it away. It ain’t nothing. Just keep the Lord first and I know I’m going to do well.”
The other true freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. pitched in 17 points and 6 assists. While Thomas and Acuff had great showings on offense, it was defense from his team that had him excited after practicing twice some days with an emphasis on that aspect of the game.
“I’m not backing up because I think this team can really do something,” Calipari said. “We’ve got guys that are coming off the bench that could easily start and don’t say anything. They just play.”
While Arkansas shot 55% (34-62) from the field and 54% (15-28) from deep the defense also forced 14 James Madison turnovers. James Madison shot 41% from the field and 38% from beyond the 3-point line. The Razorbacks made more free throws (20-31) than James Madison attempted (14-19).
Thomas played 27 minutes off the bench and it didn't surprise Calipari that his freshman standout had a good game.
“He was back to being aggressive,” Calipari said. “I told him, ‘I’m going to let you make plays, you just can’t go crazy 25 times.’ He’s trying to beg the ball in. You can’t; just shoot it. If it goes, it goes.”
James Madison last led 7-5 with 15:22 remaining in the first half. The Razorbacks took control of the game shortly after that. A 16-0 run increased the lead from 16-12 to 32-12 with 7:14 remaining in the first half. In the 16-0 run, Thomas had 11 points, Malique Ewin 3 and Billy Richmond 2. The Hogs led 48-28 at the half.
DJ Wagner added 14 points and 4 assists for the Hogs. Ewin topped the team with 9 rebounds while also scoring 11 points. Richmond had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
James Madison (7-7) was led by Bradley Douglas with 19 points while Justin McBride added 13.
Arkansas will open SEC play on Saturday when they host No. 20 Tennessee (9-3) at Bud Walton Arena at 2 p.m. and televised on ESPN2. Tennessee will host South Carolina State Tuesday night before heading to Fayetteville.
