Arkansas Basketball looks to stop Abmas and Obanor to make the Elite 8

By Matt Melton | Mar 25, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Davonte Davis #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks and Moses Moody #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks react to their teams 68-66 win over Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Kevin Obanor Max Abmas Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Arkansas Basketball (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3-seed Arkansas Basketball will return to the court when they take on 15-seed Oral Roberts in the Sweet 16 on Saturday night. While this will not be an easy win against this year’s NCAA Tournament “Cinderella,” the Razorbacks come into this game as a big favorite and rightfully so.

If the Hogs want to win however and advance to the Elite 8, there are a few areas that they need to be perfect in against the Golden Eagles. Let’s take a look at three keys in particular for Arkansas to beat Oral Roberts on Saturday and advance to the Elite 8.

Strong Defense Against Abmas and Obanor

Arkansas is one of the better defensive teams in the Sweet 16, and they will need to be solid against Oral Roberts to advance.

The Golden Eagles are led by the top-scorer in the country in guard Max Abmas and junior forward Kevin Obanor. Abmas comes in averaging 24.5 PPG while a 40+% shooter from two and three-point range, while Obanor averages 19 PPG and 9.6 RPG on near 50+% shooting from both two and three-point range.

Abmas and Obanor have combined for 113 of Oral Roberts’ 156 points in their two victories so far in the NCAA Tournament. While the Razorbacks may not be able to completely stop players as good offensively as Abmas and Obanor, the Hogs must force others to beat them.

If Arkansas can limit Abmas and Obanor, the Razorbacks may just find themselves in the Elite 8.

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