Auburn basketball opponent preview: Arkansas Razorbacks

You never want to be in this situation that Auburn basketball is in, but alas, here we are. Auburn, coming off of a loss to Georgia, will face one of the most talented and well-coached teams in the SEC: the Arkansas Razorbacks. Led by head coach Eric Musselman, the Hawgs have quickly become one of the most feared teams in the country.

Arkansas is a top 15 team in the country this year, and is one of the best two way teams that the Tigers will see all season. Let’s take a look at what makes the Razorbacks so dangerous on the hardwood.

Arkansas on Offense

Arkansas moves the ball exceptionally well. There’s not ton of dribbling around to be found in this offense. They will move bodies and move the ball as well as any team in the conference. While their assist numbers are not spectacular, it’s not for lack of passing. For a team like Auburn that has traditionally played man, that can be dangerous.

Arkansas is not a good three-point shooting team. Almost exactly 30% of their three-point attempts go in, which is barely better than Auburn. Where they make you pay is inside. This team will get the ball inside and finish through contact, not just create it. This is especially dangerous for players like Johni Broome who are aggressive in trying to block shots.

Arkansas on Defense

Arkansas defensively is a nightmare. Starting point guard: 6’7”. Starting shooting guards: 6’6” and 6’3”. Starting forwards: 6’7” and 6’9”. Compare that to Auburn. Starting point guard: 5’11”. Starting shooting guards: 6’1” and 6’1”. Starting forward: 6’8”. Starting center: 6’10”. The frontcourt is an absolute mismatch in favor of the Hawgs.

If Auburn expects to have any success offensively, it will have to start with forcing those long guards to defend past the line by making some threes, which has been much easier said than done for the Tigers this year.

Matchup to watch for Auburn basketball

This has to go to the backcourts of these two teams. Wendell Green Jr., KD Johnson, Zep Jasper, and Allen Flanigan vs Anthony Black, Ricky Council, and Devonte Davis will decide this matchup. While Jordan Walsh and Mekhi Black are talented, Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome are Auburn’s best players. That matchup will not necessarily decide the game like the backcourt battle will.

What to watch for Auburn basketball

How does Bruce Pearl manage the minutes of Johni Broome knowing that he is both the leading scorer and rebounder? Broome was seemingly off the court against Georgia when it mattered most in the first half, and while Dylan Cardwell is a solid player, he doesn’t offer much in the way of offense. Johni won’t play 40 minutes, but 30 may be necessary for this one.

War Eagle. Let’s send these little piggies back to Fayetteville with an L.