Indiana vs Arkansas: 2018-19 College Basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Adam Childs
Indiana is riding high and dreaming big after their 3-0 start, while the Razorbacks have looked ahead of schedule in a tough OT loss to Texas and win against UC Davis. Who will come out on top of this matchup on Sunday?
Matchup: Indiana Hoosiers (3-0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1)
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET
TV schedule: ESPN
Location: Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, AR
Indiana had high expectations coming into this year. They surprised some teams last year and with the addition of highly touted recruit Romeo Langford on board they feel like they have a shot in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have done nothing to think that can’t happen as they have won their first three games by an average of 39 points. That included a 23-point blow out win against Marquette who was ranked 24th in the country.
Langford has lived up to the hype as he is averaging 17.7 ppg on 57% shooting from the field. He has been everything the Hoosiers hoped for when he signed with him. Juwan Morgan has also been a force for the Hoosiers averaging 12 points and nine rebound per game.
The only question mark for the Hoosiers is getting consistent point guard play. If the Hoosiers can get that play and Langford and Howard can continue to be a great one-two combo they should have little trouble with the Razorbacks on Sunday.
Arkansas, on the other hand. lost a lot of scoring from last year and looked like they may be taking a step back after making the tournament three out of the last four years. The Razorbacks came into this season thinking it could be a rebuilding year and it still may be, but they had to be encouraged with their game against Texas in the Armed Forces Classic. They did lose in overtime, but they came in as an underdog and many people thought Texas would win easily.
The Razorbacks have four guys averaging double-figures so far this season, led by Daniel Gafford and Mason Jones at 16 ppg. Gafford led Arkansas against Texas with 20 points and could be a tough matchup for the Hoosiers. Isaiah Joe has had a good start to his freshman year averaging 15.5 ppg while shooting 7-13 from the outside. Jones is also shooting well (46%) from the three-point line. They have had good success stretching the defense for Gafford down low.
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Both of these teams like to play a more up-tempo game and can score a lot of points. Indiana is the favorite on paper but Arkansas will battle. They have the talent to hang with the Hoosiers for a lit bit, but Langford and Howard are going to be too much for them.
The Razorbacks do have the benefit of playing in Arkansas and that could help keep the game close as playing in Assembly Hall in Bloomington would be very intimidating for the young Arkansas team.
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Expect a close first half, but the talent of IU will take over in the second half. The Hoosiers continue rolling and move their record to 4-0.