Arkansas Basketball: 3 keys to beat UConn Huskies in Sweet 16 matchup

#3- Keep UConn off the offensive glass

I use this key in many games but for this one, it’s vitally important. UConn is the second best offensive rebounding team in the country. They’re also a well above average shooting team from the field that has the potential to become flamethrowers from three and create separation in a moment’s notice (just ask Saint Mary’s).

If Arkansas defends for 16-20 good seconds and forces a miss, it’s a win. If Mitchell, Johnson and Walsh can’t help keep Sanogo and Clingan off the glass and it forces them to play multiple defensive possessions in one trip down the floor, I highly doubt they will have the firepower offensively to keep this game in check.

Saint Mary’s did a good job of keeping them off the offensive glass, they just couldn’t stop Hawkins and Newton from taking the game over from the perimeter. Arkansas is certainly longer and more athletic than Saint Mary’s and can probably do a better job of containing UConn’s guards than they did. However, the Gaels were an elite defensive rebounding team.

If Arkansas can tap into a little of what they did on Sunday to go along with their high block and steal percentage, we can see this thing get real interesting real quick.