Arkansas basketball loses close game to Baylor, but coach Calipari’s hopes remain – footboom1.com
DALLAS – In a close game at American Airlines Center, the Arkansas and Baylor men’s basketball teams each started their seasons with 1-1 records and earned commendable rankings in the AP Top 100 released Monday. obtained. Both teams are expected to remain within the coveted TOP 25 as the season progresses.
No. 8 Baylor suffered a 101-63 loss to No. 6 Gonzaga last Monday, but rebounded well to defeat the No. 16 Razorbacks 72-67 on Saturday night. This hard-fought victory shows the competitive spirit of college basketball.
Arkansas coach John Calipari is confident the loss to Baylor on neutral ground won’t hurt his team’s national image. “It’s November, after all,” Calipari said. “Baylor is a top team and despite this loss, our players gave a great effort to get that win.”
Gonzaga strengthened its roster by returning six core players from last year’s Sweet 16 squad and acquiring standout Kalief Battle from Arkansas. Baylor coach Scott Drew emphasized the importance of recognizing themselves and Arkansas’ potential as Final Four contenders. “At the beginning of the season, it is important to identify strengths and weaknesses, especially for freshmen as they acclimate to the competitive game of college basketball,” Drew said.
Junior forward Trevon Brazil was the only scholarship player returning for Arkansas last season, and with several key transfer players and freshmen, the team relies heavily on young players. This also overlaps with Baylor’s strategy.
Reflecting on the similarities in the two schools’ programs, Drew said, “Arkansas and we are very similar. We both have talented rosters and this is a learning process. It’s like suffering in the beginning.” “Both teams will improve as the season progresses, especially around February,” he continued.
Calipari has strategically built a tough non-conference schedule that includes matchups against the likes of Baylor, Illinois and Michigan to prepare the Razorbacks for the tough environment of the SEC. “There’s not much to be gained by winning by 50 points against an inferior opponent. The real challenge is playing against good teams like Baylor and Kansas,” he explained.
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An enthusiastic crowd of more than 10,207 packed American Airlines Center, split between supporters of both teams. Calipari thanked the fans, saying, “They were great. Half the room was cheering for us. It’s disappointing not to get the win, but the Razorbacks are great. They put up a fight and I want them to know that they deserve credit for their efforts. We are on a journey, but the foundation is solid.”
Arkansas never took the lead during the game, but freshman guard Boogie Frando’s timely 3-point shot cut a 61-50 deficit to 70-67. The victory was determined by a key free throw made by freshman guard VJ Edgecomb.
Junior forward Adue Tiello had a standout performance for Arkansas with 24 points (10 of 15), six rebounds and two assists. “I have a lot of respect for players who show intensity and passion,” Drew said of Tierro.
Frand made a significant impact with 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds and no turnovers, showing his maturity in his 39 minutes of play. Senior guard Jayden Nunn said of Frand’s calmness, “He maintains the tempo of the game and stays calm. His potential is immense.”
Edgecombe had 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, showing he has the potential to be an important player going forward.
Although Arkansas initially struggled against Baylor’s zone defense, they improved their shooting stats in the second half and finished the game with a field goal percentage of 46.4% after a difficult first half. Calipari acknowledged that his limited preparation against zone due to preseason injuries affected his offensive output.
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The Razorbacks initially went 0-9 on 3-pointers, but found their range late in the game and ended up going 5-for-20 from 3-point range. Still, the overall shooting from distance has exposed weaknesses that urgently need to be addressed as the season progresses.
“They’re ready to find their shooting rhythm. They have the ability to score,” Drew said, emphasizing that experience will play a key role early in the season. After witnessing Gonzaga and Arkansas’ average 3-point shooting, he expressed optimism for the freshmen’s adjustment and growth.
Despite the challenges, Calipari remains optimistic, recognizing the team’s great potential. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I truly believe in this team,” he concluded.