Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Why Arkansas Won
Home court continues to be a huge advantage for Arkansas, which improved to 17-0 at Bud Walton Arena. Not that anybody is comparing the squads, but this year’s Razorbacks bested the school record for home victories set by the 1993-94 national championship team. Beyond simply playing at home Arkansas was able to turn 21 South Carolina turnovers into 25 points. Finally the team got big performances from its big men, who helped the Razorbacks to a 32-30 rebounding advantage. Frontcourt play also helped build a lead as large as 23 points. South Carolina mounted a 16-0 run late to cut Arkansas’ lead to 68-61. That was as close as the Gamecocks (9-15, 1-9 SEC) would get as the Razorbacks (17-8, 5-5) ended a two-game losing skid.

Player Of The Game
BJ Young just missed his career-high, but his 27 points were among the best outings of what has been a mostly remarkable freshman season. Young scored five points during an 11-0 run that allowed the Razorbacks to take control in the first half and he was perfect in four attempts from the free throw line in the game’s final 36 seconds to boost Arkansas’ lead back to double digits. Young also grabbed five rebounds and had four assists with just one turnover.

Turning Point
South Carolina and Arkansas were tied at 27 before the Razorbacks used an 11-0 run to take a 38-27 lead into halftime.

Mardracus Wade started it with a pair of free throws and Young added five as Arkansas took control. Also included were inside scores from Devonta Abron and Brandon Mitchell.

Playing Big
Frontcourt play has been problematic for Arkansas all season. Injuries and inexperience have often limited what the Razorbacks could do in the paint.

That wasn’t the case against South Carolina.

Forward Michael Sanchez was relegated to the bench with a shoulder injury, but inside play was perhaps the best it has been all year.

Brandon Mitchell, Hunter Mickelson, Devonta Abron and Marvell Waithe combined for 31 points and 15 rebounds.

Mitchell, the back-up quarterback moonlighting in basketball, played a season-high 16 minutes to finish with eight points and four rebounds. Abron responded to his start with 10 points and six rebounds, while Mickelson added 11 points and four rebounds.

“You look at the last game and wonder, do we have a front line? Now all of a sudden they step up,” Coach Mike Anderson said. “And they’re capable of doing that. I think that’s the puzzling thing about it.”

Record Day
Hunter Mickelson is no longer simply one of the best at blocking shots in school history. He’s now the freshman record holder for blocked shots.

Mickelson, a 6-10 forward, blocked a pair of shots to move past Oliver Miller in the school record books. Mickelson now has 62 with six regular season games plus postseason possibilities remaining.

Speaking Out
“They showed what they're made out of, I think more than anything. We've always responded. When we've lost a game, we've always responded well. To me, that's been the tale of this team all year long.”
—Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson on his team ending a two-game losing streak

“It’s pretty simple really. We did not hold onto the ball.”
— South Carolina Coach Darren Horn, whose team finished with 21 turnovers.

Up Next
Arkansas (17-8, 5-5 SEC) travels to Tennessee (13-12, 5-5) still looking for its first road victory. Tip off is 7 p.m. Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn.