Guard play key for Arkansas Basketball to upset 1-seed Baylor Bears

Arkansas Basketball back in the Elite 8 for a reason. Yes, the Razorbacks are very good and have shown that during their first three NCAA Tournament games. This will however be easily the toughest test of their potential run to the Final Four as 1-seed Baylor, one of the best teams in college basketball stands in their way.

The Razorbacks are led by SEC Freshman of the Year Moses Moody and senior forward Justin Smith who have both put up some phenomenal performances to help advance Arkansas to the Elite 8. If the Hogs want to advance further, however, it will depend on the play of their guards.

This Elite 8 matchup between the Bears and the Razorbacks will feature some of the best group of guards left in the NCAA Tournament.

Baylor has extensive experience and depth at the guard position with four players with the ability to take over a game on both ends on any night. Each of these four is the Bears’ top four leading scorers averaging a combined 55.4 PPG, which is 66% of Baylor’s scoring.

As you can see by looking at these four Baylor guards, they do everything for the Bears and are vital to their success. All four can score, defend well, and shoot the ball outstanding making them arguably the best group of guards in the country.

Baylor’s “Big 4 Guards”

• Jared Butler (JR) – 16.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 47.1 FG%, 39.9 3P%
• MaCio Teague (SR) – 15.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 47.9 FG%, 85.3 FT%, 39.4 3P%
• Davion Mitchell (JR) – 14.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2 SPG, 52.2 FG%, 45 3P%
• Adam Flagler (SO) – 9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 45.5 FG%, 84.6 FT%, 40.8 3P%

That is where the Razorbacks guards will come into play. Arkansas must contain the Baylor guards if they want to win this game, and the Hogs have the talent and depth needed to do that.

Moses Moody and Justin Smith will get theirs, but the Razorbacks will need significant production from SEC Sixth Man of the Year JD Notae, Jalen Tate, Davonte Davis, and Desi Sills. While all four of these players won’t necessarily have the same production as the Baylor guards, these four have all the abilities to slow down the Bears defensively, while also making some big shots offensively for the Razorbacks.

This a must-see matchup between the Baylor and Arkansas guards. The Bears’ “Big 4” of Butler, Teague, Mitchell, and Flagler will get theirs, but Arkansas cannot allow that group to start to take over the game.

Plain and simple, if Arkansas wants to advance to the Final Four, their guard play must be on point against an experienced and deep Baylor backcourt.