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Arkansas Basketball: Isaiah Joe departure creates oppotunity for Desi Sills

By Tristan Freeman

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 15: Desi Sills #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks shoots a free throw during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena on February 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 78-77. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 15: Desi Sills #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks shoots a free throw during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena on February 15, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 78-77. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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With Isaiah Joe leaving Arkansas Basketball, look for junior guard Desi Sills to become a leading force for the upcoming season.

In Eric Musselman’s first season with Arkansas Basketball, there was a fair amount of success overall. The team won 20 games overall and several guards posted career-high numbers under the new-look offense.

Leading guards Mason Jones (22.0 ppg), Jimmy Whitt (14.0 ppg), and Isaiah Joe (16.9 ppg) were the catalysts for the Razorbacks, who each also contributed on the boards in the regularly undersized lineups. But things are going to look different going forward, with Whitt having graduated along with Jones having already left early for the NBA Draft.

It looked as if Joe was going to come back, deciding a couple of weeks ago from the extended NBA Draft deadline on August 3rd. However, the NBA gave an extended two-week window for players to reconsider if there was any doubt about the upcoming NCAA Basketball campaign. Only one player took the league up on its offer and it was Joe, officially leaving behind nearly 17 ppg and his talent and experience.

It’s a tough blow for Arkansas, now with the team’s top three contributors from last season gone. But it doesn’t leave the program completely empty on the perimeter, as there was another double-digit scorer that didn’t have nearly the notoriety.

Desi Sills is a former three-star recruit that chose to stay in-state with this program after former head coach Mike Anderson was fired. Awarded with a spot in the starting lineup and 30+ mpg available, the 6’1 guard went on to average 10.6 ppg and 3.0 rpg on 43% shooting from the field, along with 33% from deep on 4.5 attempts.

As sometimes the 4th option on offense, Sills at times struggled to find a consistent rhythm, having several poor shooting nights. But overall, the guard showed signs of being a future lead guard, with six games of at least 15 points last season, including a career-high 21 against Georgia.

Along with backup guard Jalen Harris transferring to Georgetown this offseason, Sills is the lone returnee from last season’s rotation. However, that certainly doesn’t mean that he’ll be the guaranteed go-to player for the 2020-21 season.

Grad transfers Jalen Tate and Justin Smith are joining the team, along with key pieces from a top-10 incoming recruiting class. Davonte Davis and KK Robinson are four-star ball-handlers, while Moses Moody is a 6’6 guard/wing rated as a top-50 prospect. That doesn’t even include JD Notae, a transfer from Jacksonville who averaged 15.5 ppg in two seasons.

With so much turnover, look for the Razorbacks to rely on the veteran Sills, who is already familiar with the system. And thanks to a completely revamped backcourt, there won’t be as much pressure on the guards to produce 90% of the scoring numbers since the roster is more balanced out.

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He might not be a 20 ppg scorer or even an All-SEC performer but Sills is more than capable of playing a big role on the Razorbacks for the upcoming season. And with plenty of talent surrounding him and a good coaching staff as well, look for both Desi Sills and Arkansas Basketball to be a major thorn in the conference in a few months. Isaiah Joe isn’t around anymore but the team will be just fine.

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