As we move toward March Madness, it’s good to take inventory of every team that has realistic expectations of running through the bracket. Are six straight wins to end the season within the range of outcomes for Arkansas?
Arkansas Razorbacks March Madness Profile
Guard play and upside.
That’s an equation that we’ve seen pay off in a major way late in seasons, and the Razorbacks have access to both in Darius Acuff Jr., a well-rounded point guard who scored 20-plus points in three of his first four collegiate games and really hasn’t slowed.
His scoring ability off the bounce is unquestioned at this point, and his maturity in running an offense is years ahead of schedule. This team takes care of the basketball at an elite level, elevating the offensive floor for a squad that has proven to have an elite ceiling.
Acuff is the straw, but he’s far from the only option. Trevon Brazile is a fifth-year senior who has been a stabilizing force on the defensive end while also sustaining career-best 3-point shooting numbers with increased volume.
DJ Wagner doesn’t jump off the page, but with extensive starting experience and an improved assist-to-turnover ratio compared to last season, he’s the type of player who can prove critical for five-minute stretches.
The Razorbacks were ranked No. 14 in the preseason AP poll, and this is a program that has made the Sweet 16 in four of the past five seasons. They have every reason to enter postseason play with extending that run as a baseline expectation.
Could Acuff offer a vintage Kemba Walker performance?
Arkansas beat Texas Tech early in the season, but they’ve largely held serve when expected without much else results-wise. In order for me to feel comfortable advancing this team three or four (or more) lines come bracket time, I’m going to need the potential of this team to result in victories, not close efforts.
I think they can get there.
With a freshman at the controls, every data point is valuable. Even the bad ones provide insight as to what doesn’t work in tight game situations, and those lessons have a way of mattering late in the postseason.
If you think this team lacks the depth to make a deep run, fine. If you think this team lacks the raw ability to play with any team in the country on any given night, I think you’ve missed the mark a bit.
Arkansas has been a top-15 team in our PFSN March Madness Power Rankings ever since the middle of January and I am comfortable in labeling them as such as we prepare for the greatest event known to man.