
Following a humbling 76-52 defeat to the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, the Arkansas Razorbacks are placing a renewed emphasis on rebounding as they prepare to host the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels.
In the loss to Tennessee, Arkansas was out-rebounded 51-29, surrendering 24 offensive boards.
This disparity provided Tennessee with 16 additional shot attempts, a critical factor in the game’s outcome.
Head coach John Calipari expressed his concern, stating, “I can’t remember the last time I had a team get beat by 30 rebounds. So, we’ve got to do some soul searching.”
Tennessee’s Igor Milicic Jr. dominated the glass, securing 18 rebounds, surpassing the combined total of Arkansas’ frontcourt players.
This performance highlighted the Razorbacks’ need for increased physicality and better execution in boxing out opponents.
Despite dedicating practice time to rebounding drills prior to the Tennessee matchup, the Razorbacks struggled to translate these efforts into game situations.
Calipari emphasized the importance of rebounding across all positions, noting that even Tennessee’s 5-foot-9 point guard, Zakai Zeigler, matched Arkansas’ leading rebounders with five boards.
Looking ahead to their game against Ole Miss, the Razorbacks recognize the necessity of addressing these rebounding deficiencies.
The Rebels, boasting a 12-2 record and coming off a conference win, present a formidable challenge.
Arkansas, with an 11-3 record, aims to leverage its home-court advantage, where they have remained undefeated this season.
The matchup will feature key players such as Arkansas’ Boogie Fland, averaging 15.5 points per game, and Ole Miss’ Jaylen Murray, contributing 12.5 points per game.
The Razorbacks’ ability to improve their rebounding performance will be crucial in limiting Ole Miss’ scoring opportunities and securing a victory.
As the Razorbacks prepare for this pivotal conference game, the focus remains on translating practice efforts into game-time execution.
Calipari’s message is clear: players who do not contribute effectively to rebounding will see reduced playing time.
This commitment to accountability underscores the team’s determination to address their weaknesses and compete at a higher level in the Southeastern Conference.
The upcoming game against Ole Miss not only offers an opportunity for redemption but also serves as a litmus test for Arkansas’ resilience and adaptability following a challenging loss.
With a renewed emphasis on rebounding and physicality, the Razorbacks aim to demonstrate growth and secure a crucial conference victory.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. CST in Fayetteville and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Arkansas responds to the adversity faced in their previous outing and whether they can implement the necessary adjustments to emerge victorious.