SEC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season
By Joey Loose
2. Arkansas
No coach has embraced the Transfer Portal as well as Eric Musselman, and it’s hard to find a recent hire who’s had as much immediate success as him. He’s led the Razorbacks to consecutive Elite Eight appearances, a phenomenal upward turn for this program. He’s done it with high-paced offense and frantic defense and this year’s team will be no different.
5-star guard Nick Smith, one of the top recruits in the country, becomes one of the centerpieces of this team. The Razorbacks lost last year’s top four scorers, but do return guard Davonte Davis who showed sparks last year. In addition to Smith, 5-star point guard Anthony Black and 5-star forward Jordan Walsh will have a significant role on this team. The depth comes from a series of transfers, highlighted by Jalen Graham from Arizona State, Ricky Council from Wichita State, and Makhel and Makhi Mitchell from Rhode Island.
Musselman has Arkansas in a position to contend nationally on a yearly basis, even when most of the roster is turning over. There is some legitimate freshman talent on this team and the transfers added will help solidify and strengthen any potential holes in the roster. Obviously, it will take time for everything to come together and gel but it would surprise nobody to see this team back in the Elite Eight, or perhaps even further in the Big Dance.