NCAA Basketball: Updated 2020-21 power rankings after NBA Draft deadline

There was no question that Mason Jones, who led the team in all three main categories (22.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.4 apg) last season, was going to enter and stay in the NBA Draft. But 6’5 guard Isaiah Joe, who produced 16.9 ppg and attempted over 10 three-pointers a game, was a 50/50 decision. His somewhat surprising move to stay for him junior campaign gives Arkansas a true go-to scorer and a lethal three-point threat for next season.

With Joe and returning double-digit scoring guard Desi Sills back, the rest of the roster and projected rotation has gone through a complete overhaul. A trio of grad transfers is coming on board, including Justin Smith (Indiana), Jalen Tate (Northern Kentucky), and Vance Jackson (New Mexico). The Razorbacks also have a top-10 incoming recruiting class, featuring top-50 guards KK Robinson and Moses Moody, as well as four-star big man Jaylin Williams.

That doesn’t even include the trio of sit-out transfers (Connor Vanover, JD Notae, and Abayomi Iyiola) who are now able to play and try to crack the rotation. This team now has the frontcourt size to help with their dismal rebounding numbers from a year ago but is still able to go small if that lineup is best offensively. Joe’s return is huge for Arkansas offense but now head coach Eric Musselman has to try and find the best 8-9 man rotation to help them win next season.