Arkansas Basketball: Preview of Razorbacks 2019-20 rotation

Center

Projected Minute Distribution (40 total): Reggie Chaney (25), Ethan Henderson (10), Gabe Osabuohein (5)

Replacing Daniel Gafford in the middle is going to be a challenge for Arkansas in 2019-20.  Let’s go ahead and throw the disclaimer in here now, things change here drastically if 7’3″ Cal transfer Connor Vanover is granted immediate eligibility.  In that case, he is likely to slot in at the center spot and Reggie Chaney will see more time at the 4.

For now, that decision has not been made, and this is where things get dicey for the Razorbacks defensively.  6’8″ sophomore Reggie Chaney will likely take a bulk of the minutes here.  Don’t get me wrong, Chaney is on my shortlist of breakout players in the SEC.

He will be just fine offensively.  Chaney is a bouncy athlete that is a skilled scorer around the basket.  He can attack from the high post and short corner and will be a factor on the offensive glass.  If he is able to start consistently knocking down the mid-range jumper, he could be a game changer in the Arkansas offense.

Defensively, Chaney is very strong and is an exceptional shot-blocker.  His swatting skills were on full display in their NIT win over Providence where he sent away seven shots.  He can hold his own on the defensive glass, but the worry is that eventually all of the pounding and wear and tear that will come from bigger, stronger, SEC big men will take its toll.

Spelling Chaney at the center spot will likely be a combination of athletic sophomore Ethan Henderson and Osabuohein who has already been mentioned.  Henderson saw spot minutes as a reserve freshman last season, but is a former top-100 recruit that has potential to develop into a nice piece for Musselman.

Henderson was given extended minutes in the NIT, and showed promise as a rim runner and dump-off finisher.  The hope is that he has spent his summer adding bulk to his frame so he can absorb more contact and stay on the floor.

When it’s all said and done, expect to see an improved Arkansas team on the floor next year.  They will be a more organized, better coached, offensively talented group that will be able to outscore a lot of teams.  While they lack size, they have a solid base of athleticism and tough on-ball defenders on the perimeter.

While many project Arkansas to finish around the middle of the pack in the SEC, several see them as a dark-horse in the league that is capable of making the NCAA Tournament in year one for Musselman in Fayetteville.  Time will tell.