When Arkansas poached John Calipari from Kentucky after another disappointing March Madness exit last Spring, the boosters in Fayetteville certainly expected more than a 1-5 start in conference play. Well, it took until Wednesday night, but Coach Cal’s Razorbacks finally got into the win column against an SEC opponent, beating Georgia 68-65, and yet, the devastating injury news of the day might overshadow the thrilling comeback victory.
Star guard Boogie Fland left Saturday’s loss to Missouri and had been ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup with the Bulldogs, but prior to tip-off, the news broke that Fland is likely out for the season with a hand injury that requires surgery. The four-star freshman, who followed Calipari from Kentucky – where he was originally committed – to Arkansas, is second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game, and leads the team with 5.7 assists (2nd in the SEC).
NEWS: Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland has undergone successful surgery on the UCL of his right thumb.
— Curtis Wilkerson (@CurtWilkerson_) January 23, 2025
No timetable for return. He will begin rehab immediately at the U of A.
Fland is expected to begin his rehab at Arkansas, but with his fantastic start to his collegiate career, he’s become a one-and-done candidate who could leave for the NBA. In his most recent mock draft, FanSided’s Christopher Kline predicted Fland to be selected 28th overall by the Boston Celtics.
Without Fland in the lineup, Arkansas’s leading scorer Adou Thiero led Arkansas to the win over Georgia, scoring five points in the final minute and finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. However, it was another freshman who stepped up to save the day. The Razorbacks trailed by as much as 15 in the second half at Bud Walton Arena, but Karter Knox scored seven points during an 18-6 run. The 6-foot-6 freshman wing played a career-high 34 minutes and finished with 13 points, 11 of which came at the free-throw line.
Coach Cal has spent the year trying to get his head above water at a new program while facing accusations of orchestrating an “archaic” offense by an anonymous SEC coach. Even with the win over Georgia on Wednesday night, it will be difficult for the veteran head coach to turn the season around to earn an NCAA Tournament berth, and the loss of Fland makes that task much tougher. HIs first year in Fayetteville may have gone from bad to worse.