Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas 97, Miss. Valley State 64

Why Arkansas Won
Balanced scoring, tough defense and limited turnovers were again keys to success for Arkansas (5-1). Mississippi Valley State (1-6) gave up runs of 18-3, 11-0, 11-2 and 9-2 to the Razorbacks. Arkansas placed five players in double figures, paced by 20 from Mardracus Wade. Even walk-on Kikko Haydar finished with four points, and 10 of 11 Razorbacks put points on the board. Arkansas blocked seven shots and forced the Devils into 15 turnovers, while the Razorbacks committed just 11 of their own.

Turning Point
Mississippi Valley State was within 20-17 with 10:52 left in the first half. This was after Arkansas had built a 15-point lead in the game’s first five minutes. Having the Devils get close seemed to push the Razorbacks’ energy level up and they reeled off a 20-7 run that kept the game from ever being in question again. Arkansas was up 40-24 with 5:33 left until halftime.

Player Of The Game
Extra work on his shot seems to be paying off for Mardracus Wade. He scored a career-high 20 to lead all scorers and did it on 7 of 10 shooting.

Wade had 15 in the first half. He shot 4 of 6 from behind the 3-point line, plus added four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 28 minutes of work.

Cumulative Effect
Forcing turnovers is often what comes to mind when pressure defense is mentioned. But Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson stressed there is more to what the Razorbacks want to do beyond racking up steals.

Anderson pointed to Mississippi Valley State’s 9 of 32 shooting in the second half as proof the Arkansas defense was working. Plus, the Razorbacks forced 15 turnovers and turned those into 20 points.

“I thought our pressure was great tonight. It was cumulative,” Anderson said. “It was effective on their shots. It’s not just about stealing the basketball. It’s about disruption.”

Hunter Mickelson, Devonta Abron and Marvell Waithe each blocked two shots. A collection of five Razorbacks had the team's steals.

Good Sign
Here’s what kind of night it was for Arkansas: Michael Sanchez hit a 3-point shot.

Yep, the first of his career. That’s how well shots were falling.

Arkansas got a "3" from Sanchez as the Razorbacks shot 11 of 23 from behind the arc. They finished hitting just 3 of 11 in the second half, but were 8 of 12 in the first half as Arkansas built a 47-30 halftime lead.

Sanchez finished with seven points and five rebounds in 15 minutes, sparked by his 3-pointer.

0-for-2008
Remember that Top 15 class Arkansas signed in 2008? The one that saw players leave one-by-one until none were left in Razorback uniforms to complete their eligibility?

When Rotnei Clarke transferred to Butler this summer it seemed as if all the reminders of that 0-fer were gone. Then Mississippi Valley State showed up in Bud Walton Arena with Terrence Joyner.