SEC Basketball: 5 biggest questions for rest of 2019-20 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Ashton Hagans #0, Immanuel Quickley #5, EJ Montgomery #23, Tyrese Maxey #3 and Nate Sestina #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats walk back on the court after a timeout in their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buckeyes defeated the Wildcats 71-65. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 29: Head coach Eric Musselman (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Are the Arkansas Razorbacks for real?

Travis

The jury is still out on Arkansas, on the one hand, they are 10-1, but on the other, they lost to the 7-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers by seven. However, many of Arkansas’ wins are by double digits including their two victories by 31 and 39, because of this, I’m a bit torn when it comes to the Razorbacks. Since they have yet to play a ranked opponent I’m gonna go ahead and say come back to me in three weeks and we will know by then, but right now it’s anyone’s guess when it comes to Arkansas.

Rauf

It depends on what you classify as “for real”. Are they a top 25 team? I don’t think so – but they absolutely are an NCAA Tournament team. Eric Musselman has done a tremendous job getting the most out of this group, particularly on the defensive end, but their offense will limit them. Still, this is more than anyone expected from them this season.

Wilkerson

Arkansas is for real in the sense of a team that can compete for a top 5 or 6 spot in the SEC and is in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament bid, which significantly exceeds expectations in year one under Eric Musselman. Some of the questions about the Hogs and a soft schedule were answered Sunday night when Arkansas went into Assembly Hall and knocked off an 11-1 Indiana team. This team certainly has some flaws: lack of size and lack of depth. However, they are a scrappy bunch that ranks amongst the best in the country in most defensive metrics, and they have arguably the best backcourt duo in the league in Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe.

DiSturco

It’s still early to tell but I still am not on the Arkansas bandwagon. They have yet to play a team that ranks inside Kenpom’s Top 100 and win. Their best opportunity was against No. 93, Western Kentucky, and even then, the Razorbacks lost in overtime by seven. New head coach Eric Musselman may seem to have turned around Arkansas but come conference play, expect them to struggle. Even against below-average teams, Arkansas cannot create second-chance opportunities or shoot the 3-ball. While defense has been their strong suit and could be the difference-maker against middle-of-the-pack teams in the SEC, the Razorbacks will not be able to compete with the Kentuckys and Floridas of the conference.

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