Arkansas Basketball: Hogs add versatility in grad transfer Vance Jackson

Arkansas basketball is looking at ways to replace the production of Mason Jones and also add to a thin front-line. Eric Musselman did a little of both by landing New Mexico grad transfer Vance Jackson.

New Mexico grad transfer forward Vance Jackson had a short-lived stay in the transfer portal after announcing his intentions to finish his college career elsewhere. Roughly 48 hours after entering the portal, Jackson announced his commitment to join Arkansas basketball and coach Eric Musselman.

Jackson averaged 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Lobos this season, which was a slight decrease from the 18-19 campaign that saw him post 13.1 points and 7 rebounds on average. The former 247Sports composite 4-star, top-80 prospect began his career at UConn where he was a solid contributor as a freshman.

The quick turnaround can be explained by a fairly long history between Jackson and Musselman. During his time at Nevada, Musselman recruited Jackson heavily prior to his transfer to New Mexico and also coached against him in the Mountain West. Chances are Musselman remembers January 5, 2019 when Jackson torched his Nevada team with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in a blowout win.

The intrigue of Jackson is the seemingly ideal fit he has in Eric Musselman’s “pace and space” system. Muss values length and positional versatility. Many describe Jackson as a guard trapped in a forward’s body. Well, that is exactly what Musselman is looking for.  Jackson has the size to compete in the paint, the jumper to spread the defense, and the ball skills to attack mismatches.

At 6’9 230 pounds, Jackson would have been the largest player on Arkansas’ roster this season. His 5.3 rebounds per game would have ranked second on the team. While not known for his defense, Jackson’s sheer size and length alone will decrease vision and operating room on drives and serve as a deterrent.

Consider this for a moment. 6’1 G Desi Sills had a tremendous second half of the season. He stepped up in a big way, providing a much-needed outside threat not named Isaiah Joe or Mason Jones. Sills made 47 three-pointers on the season, shooting at a 32.9% clip. Jackson, at 6’9, has converted on at least 50 three-pointers in each of his three seasons at a 35.4% rate. Think that will be a welcome addition?

This addition gives Musselman unlimited options and makes his roster more dangerous and difficult to game plan for. At times last season, the Hogs would play a 5-guard lineup with Mason Jones or Jimmy Whitt as the “center” that was potent but obviously vulnerable in the lane. He could have a similar small-ball approach this year without giving up as much size by using Jackson.

Next season, Muss could also have the luxury of going extremely big without giving up perimeter skills. Imagine being able to come out of a small ball lineup and put out a unit that consists of a Vance Jackson, Jaylin Williams, Connor Vanover front-court. All three stand over 6’9 and are all more than capable of stretching the floor and burning it up from three. This is quite a change from an Arkansas group that started a 6’6 center last season.

Vance Jackson is an elite-talent, there is little doubt about that. However, it is fair to reason that while he has been productive, he has yet to fully “figure it out”. If anyone can make things click for Jackson and help him realized his full potential, it is Eric Musselman who is known to work wonders with transfers.

Regardless, this addition improves several weaknesses and adds to an impressive collection of talent on the Arkansas roster for next season. The Razorbacks are awaiting an NBA Draft decision from sharp-shooter Isaiah Joe and have one open scholarship yet to fill. The final roster is not set just yet, but this has the looks of a deep and dangerous Arkansas team moving forward.