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Arkansas Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Razorbacks success against Indiana

By Curtis Wilkerson

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Jimmy Whitt #24 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drives the ball against Stanford Cardinal at Barclays Center on November 27, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Jimmy Whitt #24 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drives the ball against Stanford Cardinal at Barclays Center on November 27, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas Basketball
LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 26: Adrio Bailey #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

2. Limit turnovers

Arkansas has some offensive firepower, and they have had a few impressive performances this season. Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe are threats to go for 30 plus on any given night and the Razorbacks have also gotten huge games from sophomore Desi Sills and mid-range specialist Jimmy Whitt Jr.  However, there have been stretches of play and full games where they have been wildly inconsistent as a team on the offensive end.

Early in the season, outside shooting was a bit of an issue.  It feels as if Arkansas has remedied this at this point.  Isaiah Joe seems to be finding his stroke, Mason Jones has proven to be a big-time shot-maker from distance, and Desi Sills has broken out of a cold drought to start the season.  These three will need to heat it up against Indiana’s pack-line man defense that should allow for quality looks from distance.

The key is to get those quality looks. Indiana has struggled at times this year guarding the basketball which has led to them getting burned via the drive and kick.  That makes it vital for point guard combo Jimmy Whitt Jr. and Jalen Harris to knife their way into the lane and find the open man.

Also, while Indiana will look to exploit their size advantage offensively against the Hogs, Arkansas may be able to return the favor when they have the ball.  One of the Indiana bigs is going to have to defend one of Whitt/Sills/Joe/Jones and that is a mismatch that Musselman will look to take advantage of.

The other issue that has plagued Arkansas at time offensively is turnovers.  For example, a large part of their struggles in a come from behind win against Valpo was 19 turnovers, many of which unforced.  For a team that does not generate many second-chance opportunities on the glass, it is critical that they take care of the basketball and get a quality shot on most possessions.

If Arkansas limits their turnovers under a dozen and is able to score over 70, you have to really like their chances to come away with a victory on Sunday against the Hoosiers.

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