Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: You're listening to the Whole Hog sports podcast. And now here's your host, Matt Jones. Arkansas basketball back on the floor. Tonight they'll play LSU. It's going to be an 8 o' clock tip off on the SEC Network. Mike Morgan and Damian Fishback will be on the call. Ragebacks beat LSU earlier this year. Remember that was the snow game at Budwalton arena where I don't know if they opened up the doors to the students, but there were a lot more students in, in the building because of some, you know, some ticket transfers. People couldn't make it to the game. Really fun atmosphere. But lsu, they gave Arkansas a scare that night and Arkansas had to come back from an 8 point deficit to win that game, 85 to 81. LSU now 2 and 8 in the SEC, 14 and 9 overall. Arkansas still in the thick of this sec race at 7 and 3 in the league. The Razorback 17 and 6 overall. Anthony Christensen is in Baton Rouge and he'll be at the Pete Maravich assembly center tonight for this game. Anthony, when you look back on the game a few weeks back, Bud Walton, what stands out to you?
[00:01:03] Speaker B: Yeah, I think the first thing that stands out to me from, from that game, outside of it being obviously the snow game in which my check engine light came on when I was on my way home, was I think the, the ball movement. And obviously Darius Akov had, you know, a tremendous game that, that night. I think that was his. Yeah, he had 31 points, six assists that game. But when you look back at that game, I think the biggest thing that I noticed, you know, was, was the ball movement, you know, 18 total assists and it was pretty well spread out. Darius Akov had six and then, yeah, Malik Thomas had three, Trevor Brazil had one, Billy Richmond had three, DJ Wagner had two. Malik Ewan had one. So it wasn't just that. I mean obviously a lot of it was that Darius Akov had, you know, his career high score and, but then I thought the ball movement in general was, was really strong. And you know, that's something that John Caliperi mentioned after the Mississippi State game on Saturday was, was the ball movement and how, you know, how Arkansas or how good Arkansas is when the ball is moving at a, at a good clip. You know, they're 7, 0 when they have 20 or more assists this season and you know, they have won those games by an average of, I believe it's 31 point something points.
But yeah, I think that's the biggest thing that I noticed from looking back on that game. Is just the. The assists. And obviously Darius Akov having the night he had.
[00:02:31] Speaker A: You know, you think about in that game, I was looking at this the other day, just for comparison sake. You had because. And I say, let me back up. Carter Knox and D.J. wagner are both. It's doubtful still, right, that they're doubtful.
[00:02:46] Speaker B: For this game as of the last.
Yes. Okay. So doubtful for this game.
[00:02:51] Speaker A: Right. So I went back and I looked at what they did during that last game against LSU.
[00:02:56] Speaker B: D.J.
[00:02:56] Speaker A: Wagner played 19 minutes, seven points, two assists and one steal. And then Carter Knox, he started that game, gave them 24 minutes. He had five points, five rebounds, two assists and one turnover.
What do you think their absence, assuming that they are not available to play tonight, what do you think that does to Arkansas?
[00:03:22] Speaker B: I mean, it forces them to change some things up, right? I mean, I think we saw it a little bit with the Mississippi State game in which they were both out. You know, Arkansas had some different lineup combinations that it hasn't had throughout the season. You know, in particular, the one that, you know, was the most Notable was the three big lineup of Trevor Brazil, Malik Ewan and Nick Pringle out on the floor. You know, it was only a 2 minute and 35 second sample size, but, you know, that's still something that they hadn't done, you know, at all this season and something that, you know, they had to. I don't want to say they were forced into doing that because I know that they worked on it and practiced a little bit, but I guess it became more necessity necessitized to do it. So I think that's the one thing that you kind of notice immediately is just kind of different lineup combinations, guys who, you know, you haven't seen play together all that much. You know, Malik Ewan and Nick Pringle played a little bit more together in that game than they had, you know, in the entirety of SEC play, you know, even without Trevin Brazil. So I think that's the first thing you notice. And then the other thing you notice is that, you know, you need Isaiah Seeley to, you know, come in and give you good minutes, which, you know, he definitely did against Mississippi State. You know, he had the six points, three blocks, you know, so he still had the three fouls in the first half. So that's something that, you know, for. For him, I think that's the biggest thing that he needs to clean up, you know, just with regard to his own, you know, personal game, so he can stay on the floor more, especially in these situations. You Know, he and Billy Richmond, I think both had three fouls in that game, you know, and when you're, when you're shorthanded, you know, without Carter Knox, without DJ Wagner, you know, you definitely need you, you can't afford to have those, you know, foul troubles. So I think those are the biggest things that you notice and I'm intrigued to, to see, you know, if we see Billy Richmond run a little bit of point guard tonight, you know, because last year they, they utilized him a little bit when Boogie Fland went down and DJ Wagner became the full time point guard.
So I think those are all kind of different things that, well, that one's one that you maybe could see, but then the other, the other things I mentioned are definitely things that, you know, we definitely noticed without Carter Knox and D.J. wagner in the game against Mississippi State. And I could see, could see them, you know, being a factor again tonight.
[00:05:36] Speaker A: If you look back when they played earlier this year, and again, that's just a couple, three weeks ago. But lsu, I think that was the game where they got DJ Thomas back, right? I mean, he had, he had been hurt and then he came back and I remember John Calipari, I think I'm remembering the right game that he said, you know, hey, they've got their guard back. They're going to be a lot better now moving forward. He hadn't really played since I think he played against Alabama and then he's been back on the sideline with the foot injury. I think he's, he's out for this game tonight too.
You know, he had 15 points in that game. But what's LSU look like if they don't have him?
[00:06:08] Speaker B: Not as good.
You know, it's, it's really tough because I mean, you know, he's, he's such a dynamic player. You know, he's so good, you know, driving and he's an effective three point shooter, though you don't necessarily love to see him take those shots. He's a 30% shooter on the season from the perimeter and I believe he's around a 33, 35% three point shooter for his career.
But, you know, he's a guy who can get the ball moving, he's a guy who can drive. He gets to the foul line. So it's, it's a, it's a big loss for, for LSU with him not playing, you know, in the game. So I think you're going to see, you know, some Jalen Reese playing at the point guard or Max McKinnon playing point guard, which, I mean, both good players in their own right, but they, I don't think they have, you know, the same qualities that, that Dayden Thomas has with regard to his passing ability and, and stuff like that. I'd see, you know, I see Max McKinnon more as a shooting guard than I do a point guard and you know, he's their leading scorer with, without Jaden Thomas in the game. So I think you're definitely going to see McKinnon and Jalen Reese, I think, kind of split the point guard duties without Jaden Thomas in and you know, maybe, maybe that slows the game down a little bit, you know, with regard to, you know, how LSU wants to play. Not, not that LSU is, you know, a, a team that plays at some break neck pace in general. But you know, I, I think that without D. Thomas in the game, you know, you're going to see, you're going to see them try to slow it down a little bit more and you know, try to try to get Max McKinnon, you know, some good looks just because he is their, you know, their best shooter. You know, he's a nearly a 40% three point shooter on high volume. You know, you can get to the line as well. So I think he's a guy who will probably be the primary focus. Obviously they're going to want to get Markel Sutton involved as well.
But yeah, I would definitely say the biggest thing that you're going to notice without Jaden Thomas in the game is probably Jalen reese and Max McKinnon playing the point guard, kind of splitting that role together.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: You remember LSU had some success in the interior against Arkansas in that game a few weeks back. How does Arkansas defend against that? Because that felt like, that was kind of like the key to, at least early in that game to LSU building the lead and then being able to maintain it was some of the damage that they were able to do underneath.
[00:08:27] Speaker B: I think some of that kind of comes, you know, unfortunately, because, you know, Dan Thomas isn't going to be available. You know, I thought he did a good job of, you know, slicing and getting in or finding good looks for the big zone low. So I think some of that is unfortunately kind of naturally lost because I mean, you never want to see a guy, you know, out injured, especially when it's a guy who's, you know, already missed a lot of time this season. But I, I think some of that is going to have to come through Nick Pringle and Malik Ewan, some of Trevin Brazil as well. You know, whether we see that trio play together again, I think that's something that, that could, you know, help in that. In that department.
But I think that's the big thing. And I think you have to guard the point of attack a little bit better. Obviously, you know, like I said, you know, not having Dayden Thomas for LSU is going to hurt them in that department. But I think, know, guarding the point of attack has been one area in which Arkansas has needed to improve, you know, throughout the season.
So I think those are kind of the big things that you. You kind of need to see in order to, you know, kind of cut down on those. Those inside looks, just because, you know, if, if, if you're not guard. If you're not guarding the. The point of attack very well, you know, you're. You're going to create those looks. You know, that your opposing point guard is going to find your guys down, his guys down low. And, you know, you need. You need to be physical, you need to be aggressive when, when those guys get the ball inside. So whether or not that means, you know, the three bigs or the two bigs are playing together, you know, I think that's kind of remains to be seen, but I think that's probably kind of where I look immediately when it comes to, you know, protecting the paint.
[00:10:05] Speaker A: Hey, if you're looking for a quality leader in Northwest Arkansas or skilled craftsmanship, look at Bentonville Glass for all your glass market needs. You can come by and see them now at 507 South Main in Bentonville or online at bentonvilleglass.com Bentonville Glass, serving its community since 1971.
Still talking with Anthony Christensen here. Razorback basketball against LSU tonight, 8 o' clock tip off on the SEC Network. It's at the PMAC. This is not the most glamorous arena in the SEC.
You've been there, Ryan.
[00:10:38] Speaker B: Yes. Yeah, last year I love a little roundhouse arena. I think it's a neat. I think it's a neat venue. The Mike the Tiger exhibit is like, right outside. Last year I didn't get to see him, so this year I'm very hopeful that I get to see Mike.
[00:10:54] Speaker A: You just gotta wait. You just gotta wait a few minutes. Maybe bring like a. Like a raw steak with you and it might get his attention.
Yeah, that's really cool, actually. If you've never been to Baton Rouge and been on campus and seen the tiger exhibit right there. It's like you got the track right here and then the football stadium's over here and the Basketball arena's right here.
The Shaquille o' Neal statues. Right. Right across the street from, from Mike the Tiger.
It's, it's a, it's a different kind of arena, though. I mean, you know what I'm saying? And I guess you could probably make this, this case about pretty much any arena, but. But it's different when you go in there. I don't know how to explain it. And you know, it's, you know, you get in there on a Tuesday night, there's not a lot of people, you know, you kind of have to make your own energy. And I think that goes for both sides. But, but I feel like I've seen on several occasions Arkansas teams go in there and maybe they're not as talented as this year's team, but they go in there on these, this, these midweek nights and the game just. It's not what you think you're going to get. And maybe you get a little bit more of a fight out of LSU than you thought you were. Think even back to like the glory years. 94. Alex Dillard hits a three, I think, or Scotty Thurman hits a three at the end of regulation and Dillard hits a three in overtime to win it. The next year, Darnell Robinson makes a free throw and then Clint McDaniel steals the inbound pass, makes a shot with like a second left to beat lsu. But like, even those teams went in there and I feel like they had a lot more trouble with LSU and that, I guess like for 30 something years that's been my, my recollection of Arkansas going down to Baton Rouge is these.
It seems like it happens a lot more on midweek nights or on weeknights than it does on the weekends. And man, you just, you gotta, you gotta bring it. You gotta look, you gotta really, you know, kind of make your own energy in that building because it's, there's something about it that just seems to take it out of the road team sometimes.
[00:12:54] Speaker B: Yeah, it doesn't. I don't think it helps that it's the back your second year in a row that they've done an 8pm Tuesday game.
APM Tuesday games stink.
[00:13:02] Speaker A: Well, it could be like 9 o' clock at Vanderbilt last year.
[00:13:04] Speaker B: Yeah, the night. The 9pm Vanderbilt tip last year was criminal. That was ridiculous. But now I think you're, I think you're kind of right there. Obviously. I think Arkansas last year, if I remember the game correctly, you know, got off to a slow start, which was, you know, kind of synonymous With Arkansas in early SEC play last season and, you know, had to, you know, fight back, create its own momentum and nearly did. I remember Boogie Fland almost willing them into that game last season. Obviously came up a little bit short, but, you know, you're going into, you know, a game with, you know, and I think I mentioned this last time they played lsu, you know, last month. You know, LSU needs wins, right? I mean, you look at, in, in SEC play. Yeah, two and eight. And the two wins are, you know, South Carolina, which stinks, and Missouri, which I think I, I've said it like 700 times on this podcast. Can't decide if it wants to be good or not.
So it's, it's. And it's, it's desperate times for, you know, their postseason hopes. You know, it doesn't look, you know, overly promising for LSU with regard to the NCAA tournament, but, you know, we, we obviously saw last year that you can turn it around late and try to get in, you know, as people who cover Arkansas. But, you know, it's, it's also a pretty desperate time for the staff there as well. Obviously, the, the athletics director at LSU kind of said if there's no NCAA tournament appearance, then they're probably going to have to reevaluate where they're headed with, with Matt McMahon, which is unfortunate because, you know, you know, you never want to see people lose their jobs or, you know, be in the position to do so. But, you know, it's, it's, you know, it's a team, it's a staff, it's a, you know, everything that's kind of coming in desperate. So you're going to probably see, you know, that team kind of have, you would expect that team to have the energy needed, especially with, you know, the last game being as close as it was and frankly with how they lost to Georgia on Saturday and that's game that they probably, you know, looking back on it probably should have at least not lost by 12 points. And you know, they had a big first half lead and you know, it's, it's, it's tough because, I mean, you look at, I think it was a 15 point lead in the first half and it looks like they're cruising and then all of a sudden, you know, that's a Georgia team that can hit you and hit you quick and that's what happened. And obviously the loss. So they're desperate for a result, you know, they've lost.
I think it's five of six, if I'm not mistaken. And obviously the 2 and 8 and SEC play. So they need something and Arkansas is going to need to, to match that.
[00:15:41] Speaker A: Yeah, well, and I was gonna say their next two games are at Knoxville and Austin, so it doesn't get any easier for them. You know, if they're going to win. They, they, I would think they would need to take advantage of an Arkansas team playing the second half of, or the back half of a two game road trip.
Kentucky, by the way, I was going to say the Kentucky game earlier this year where Kentucky beat LSU on the Leitner shot or the latent or like shot.
That was another one. That was a Wednesday night.
[00:16:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:07] Speaker A: And they kind of, you know, they lulled Kentucky to sleep and Kentucky was able to come back and win that. It's just, again, it's a, it's a different kind of place to play it if you've never been there. It, it's just I, I don't know that there's another arena like it in the sec.
[00:16:23] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I, I'm trying to think.
Oklahoma's kind of got a similar build, if I'm not mistaken. Kind of the roundhouse look.
And I've still got, I've got two more to check off the list. I've got Alabama and Florida to check off and then I'll have gone to all 16 arenas, which is kind of, they're a little bit more, they're a.
[00:16:43] Speaker A: Little bit more lively than lsu.
[00:16:45] Speaker B: Yeah, a little bit. But that'll be, that'll be a cool little, little feather in my own cap when I, when I check off the rest of the, the full conference, I guess. But yeah, yeah, it's, it is a unique arena. I kind of, I kind of, I don't know. I, I, you go to all these different arenas sometimes they all kind of start to blend together. I like the unique ones. Like I love Memorial Gymnasium at Vanderbilt.
I, yeah, so I, I enjoy the unique ones.
[00:17:14] Speaker A: You know this is John Caliperi's birthday, right? This is number 66 today. So he'll be coaching on his birthday.
[00:17:18] Speaker B: I do, I do know that. And I have, I've planned on, on saying, giving him a little happy, happy birthday, I guess words as he goes as he comes in for the press conference if they win. Because I don't want it, I don't want it to be like I'm teasing them if, if they lose. So we'll see, we'll see. We'll see if I wish, if I wish John Calipari a happy birthday or not. But yeah, I am Aware.
[00:17:43] Speaker A: We'll be listening for that tonight. That. Yeah, drop in. Drop in something so. So our listeners will know what they're doing. Hey, last one for you. I mean, what do you think the key is for Arkansas getting out of there with a win? Because this feels. Ethan and I talked about this yesterday. If you want to stay in the SEC race, you can't lose this game because there's other games that are coming up that are going to be losable and, and you can't drop these. You're going to have to go off and win road games and you don't want to lose a road game that if all things else are equal, you ought to be winning.
So what's the key for Arkansas to being able to get out of there tonight with a win?
[00:18:22] Speaker B: I think there's a few. I think the first one that comes to mind immediately, assuming D.J. wagner and Carter Knox aren't able to go, is stay out of foul trouble, especially in the front court with, you know, Nick Pringle, Malik Ewan and Trevin Brazil. I think that's the one that you look at, you know, right away and say, you know, you can't afford to get into foul trouble. And then I think the, the next one is, you know, guarding the point of attack. Obviously, like, we keep going back to. Jaden Thomas is not going to play in this game, but, you know, it's still been, you know, an area that I think Arkansas has needed to improve upon throughout the season and, and guarding the point of attack. And I think that's going to be, you know, something that kind of comes back to it. And then I think it also comes down to ball movement. You know, it's like, you know, John Caliperi said after the Mississippi State game. It's, you know, when this team has, you know, hit 20 assists or more, they're 7. 0. So I think that's a huge, you know, benchmark to reach and you don't have to reach it. I know, like, you know, they only had the seven assists against Tennessee and one. But, you know, it's, it's.
They're much better when the ball is moving, I guess, are more. Much more consistent, I guess is the right way to put it. And they had 18 against LSU the last time they played. So I think, I think the ball movement is probably, you know, right up there with the other two that I mentioned. And I know you said, you know, give you one key, but, you know, you know, me, I can't, I can't live myself.
[00:19:43] Speaker A: You can't stop yourself.
The, you know, that's a good point that you make about the fouls because you had so many players who played 38, 40 minutes the other day at Starkville.
There you could be having some tired legs, especially with it being, like we said, the back half of this road trip and you get the right officiating crew and that can, you know, that maybe the wrong officiating crew is really the way to say that. And you could end up getting a lot of, you know, a lot, a lot of fouls in this situation. So that'll be something for Arkansas to watch.
[00:20:12] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm thinking. Yeah. Also stay out of foul trouble for my own personal hopes because I would like to. Yeah. 8pm Tip. Let's not have the whistle blow to stop the game, you know, every 10 seconds. Let's, let's get in, get out. I don't want to be in there until 1am let's move.
[00:20:29] Speaker A: Anthony. Good stuff. Appreciate you being on.
We'll read Anthony's coverage tonight at whole hog sports.com hey, want to tell you a couple of things else on our website right now we're in the middle of a four part series on Norm de Bryan's career as the Razorback baseball coach.
The 1980s story is on the site today. Talk to Tom Pagnazi, Bubba Carpenter, Doug Clark, who was the head coach or I'm sorry, the assistant coach for Norm de Bryan at Arkansas for a lot of years, like 26 years. You can read that story on our site right now. 1990s will be online tomorrow. This is really kind of a fun, detailed, thorough look back at Norm de Bryan's career. So you can find that at wholehogsports. Com. And then speaking of Bubba Carpenter, he's going to be here tomorrow. He's going to help us preview the Razorback baseball season. We're just a few days away from the season beginning down in Arlington with that game against Oklahoma State on Friday night. So hope you check back in tomorrow when Bubba's in studio with me. See you then. Have a good day.
