Aidoo, Davis back up preseason hype in win over Kansas
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Hailed as two of the best transfer portal pickups last offseason, Arkansas center Jonas Aidoo and guard Johnell Davis lived up to the hype in the Razorbacks' first-round NCAA Tournament win Thursday over the Kansas Jayhawks in Providence, Rhode Island.
Matched up against Big 12 First-Team All-Conference big man Hunter Dickinson, Aidoo led the Hogs at halftime with 16 points, two rebounds, three blocks and an assist. Davis poured in eight points (including two threes) with three boards and one assist.
“Just getting to my spots," Aidoo said postgame. "Everybody looking for me. I tell (my teammates) I want the ball and they give me the ball, I just execute that. Just practicing with these guys and communicating, how we know to play with each other is just the best thing for us."
RELATED: Social media reacts to Arkansas' win over Kansas
Aidoo's and Davis' efforts helped Arkansas shoot a blistering 19-of-35 (54.3%) from the field in the first 20 minutes to take a 47-44 lead over the Jayhawks at the break.
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Arkansas' three-point lead grew to 10 in the second half behind a 7-0 run led by Aidoo and Davis, with the latter's triple forcing an early timeout at the 17:42 minute mark by Kansas coach Bill Self.
Then, with the Jayhawks coming off a made three and a defensive stop, Davis swiped at Kansas guard Zeke Mayo's ball-handle, which forced Mayo to lose control and let the ball go out of bounds for a turnover.
Kansas made a run of its own throughout the course of the final 20 minutes, even taking a three-point lead with under five minutes to go, but Davis' key three-pointer and four made free throws sunk the Jayhawks down the stretch.
Davis ended the game with 18 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist, and was 4-of-9 from beyond the arc with only one turnover.
"I heard in the background, just say 'Shoot it!' and I just shot it with confidence and it went in," Davis said after the game about his late three-point make.
What helped close the game out for Arkansas was Aidoo's masterful defense against Dickinson, who only managed 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting with four turnovers. In contrast, Aidoo turned in a season-best 22 points with five boards, three blocks and three steals.
This is Aidoo's fourth NCAA Tournament showing, as he participated in three postseason events with the Tennessee Volunteers from 2021-24.
“(My NCAA Tournament experience is) very important," Aidoo said. "Last year, the year before. I felt like I had an impact and then later on I kind of drifted away. So, I feel like I have a lot to still improve and still have a lot left in the tank. Still a big chip on my shoulder.”
Up next, the Hoop Hogs will face the winner between 2-seed St. Johns and 15-seed Omaha in the Round of 32. Be sure to follow along at The Trough premium message board for more coverage of the Razorbacks.
Social media reacts to Arkansas' win over Kansas
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Coach John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball team (21-13, 8-10 SEC) survived and advanced Thursday past the Kansas Jayhawks, 79-72, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
High-caliber basketball was played in the first half, as the Hogs limited themselves to three turnovers and shot a blistering 54.3% from the field. Jonas Aidoo stole the show with 16 points with D.J. Wagner not far behind with 12 points.
Freshman guard Boogie Fland played 12 minutes in the first 20 minutes and went 1-of-4 from the field with two free throw makes and three assists.
Kansas got off to a good start from beyond the arc, going 6-of-11 from three with 10 charity-stripe shots to boot. By halftime, Arkansas still managed to lead 47-44. There were eight lead changes and seven ties overall.
After opening up a 10-point lead to start the second half, Arkansas slowly started to unravel throughout the course of the game. Turnovers, poor shooting and the inability to score against the zone helped Kansas bring its deficit to one point at the 6:37 minute mark.
Back and forth the game went, and Arkansas found itself down 67-64 with 4:55 minutes in the game. That was, until, the Razorbacks capped off a 7-0 run with a Davis three to take a four-point lead.
With the game on the line with under 30 seconds to go, Davis sunk four huge free throws to seal the win for the Razorbacks.
Below are highlights and social media reactions from Arkansas' postseason win...
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Kobe Branham to miss remainder of spring
- By masonchoate
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Arkansas redshirt freshman offensive lineman Kobe Branham underwent surgery on his pec that will keep him out for the remainder of the spring, head coach Sam Pittman announced Thursday.
"(It's) unfortunate because he's one of the best offensive lineman that we have, I mean he's a good player," Pittman said. "But we can develop somebody else and he'll be back for fall and all of those things."
A 6-foot-5, 326-pound product of Fort Smith Southside High School, Branham was right in the mix for the starting right guard spot to begin the spring. He took reps with both the first and second team offensive groups at right guard, along with Keyshawn Blackstock.
Branham was primarily a reserve lineman as a true freshman last season, but he did start in the 39-26 win over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27. Branham played 66 snaps in that game and he earned a 73.5 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus along with a 67.7 run blocking grade.
Coming out of Southside High School, Branham was rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 5 recruit in the state for the 2024 class by Rivals.
For the latest on how the Razorbacks are moving things around with Branham's injury, check out our practice reports on The Trough premium message board.
12-run inning leads Arkansas past Oral Roberts
- By masonchoate
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The No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks (20-2, 2-1 SEC) earned a dominant 16-0 seven-inning run rule shutout of Oral Roberts (12-8, 1-2 Summit League) on Wednesday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville to complete a two-game midweek sweep of the Golden Eagles.
Arkansas plated 12 runs on 10 hits in a bottom of the fourth inning that featured the Hogs sending 17 total batters to the plate. The Razorbacks tallied 14 total hits in the game, 10 of which came with runners on base. Seven of the Hogs' runs were driven in with two outs on a day that featured wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour in Fayetteville.
Arkansas pitchers combined to allow just one hit with no walks on the afternoon. Left-handed pitcher Colin Fisher, a sophomore from Noble (Okla.), got the start and pitched two perfect innings with no hits allowed, no walks and four strikeouts.
Fellow sophomore Tate McGuire relieved Fisher with three scoreless and hitless innings. Sixth-year senior Dylan Carter gave up the only hit by a Razorback pitcher in a scoreless top of the sixth, while freshman Steele Eaves closed it down with a scoreless top of the seventh inning.
Similar to the 4-1 win over the Golden Eagles on Tuesday, Hogs' first baseman Cam Kozeal left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. Fisher hit a batter with one out in the top of the second, but that was the only baserunner he allowed across the first two innings of the game.
Arkansas took advantage of a pair of two out baserunners in the bottom of the second inning when shortstop Wehiwa Aloy hit a two-run single to second base that made it a 2-0 lead after two innings.
Sophomore right-hander Tate McGuire relieved Fisher to start the top of the third inning and the Liberty (Mo.) native needed just 12 pitches to get three quick outs. The Razorbacks added a run to their lead via an RBI double down the right field line from Kozeal.
McGuire tossed another three up, three down frame in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Oral Roberts moved on from starting pitcher Luke Puffinbarger with reliever Price Allman, who quickly gave up a 448-foot two run home run to Hogs' second baseman Nolan Souza.
Allman didn't retire any of the batters he faced and he was relieved by righty Jared Ure, who issued a bases loaded RBI walk to Kuhio Aloy that made it a 6-0 lead for Arkansas. The Razorbacks followed that with three-straight RBI knocks from Brent Iredale, Kozeal and Kendall Diggs. Ryder Helfrick loaded the bases again with a single and then Souza and Davalan both had run-scoring swings to follow and make the lead 11-0.
Oral Roberts made another pitching change and it didn't help, as Wehiwa Aloy promptly drove a two-RBI triple to centerfield and Logan Maxwell followed it with a two run home run to right field that extended the lead to 15-0 for the Razorbacks. After two more singles from Iredale and Kuhio Aloy, Kozeal finally ended the inning with a fly out as the 17th batter of the frame.
The Golden Eagles seemed to collect their first hit of the game with one out in the top of the fifth, but it was ruled an error on Iredale at third base. McGuire otherwise faced the minimum in the frame.
Relief pitcher Brayden Mackey issued three one out walks in a row in the bottom of the fifth and he was relieved by right-hander Conner Floyd, a Bentonville (Ark.) native, who gave up one run on an RBI fielder's choice by freshman Gabe Fraser. That was the only run in the frame, though, to make the score 16-0.
Dylan Carter took the mound in the top of the sixth for the Hogs and immediately the combined no-hitter was gone when he gave up a leadoff single. After the Hogs went down in order in the bottom of the sixth, Steele Eaves erased a two out walk in the top of the seventh inning to close out the run rule victory.
Up next, Arkansas host South Carolina on Friday for the SEC home opener at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Box Score
What Kansas coach Bill Self said about Arkansas, Calipari
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Arkansas basketball continues its 2024-25 season Thursday against Kansas in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament, and Jayhawks head coach Bill Self spoke to the media Sunday to preview the matchup.
Kansas (21-12, 11-9 Big 12) had a relatively underwhelming year in league play, but still managed to pick up wins over North Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, Iowa State, Arizona and others.
Under Self's leadership, Kansas has accumulated a 609-147 (283-83 Big 12) overall record in 22 seasons. Through 33 games, the Jayhawks boast the No. 109 scoring offense (76.2 PPG) and No. 94 scoring defense (69.3 PAPG) in the country.
This will mark the 14th meeting between the two teams, as Kansas leads the series, 8-6. Arkansas won the most recent matchup, 72-71, in the Round of 32 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Here's everything Self had to say about John Calipari, the Razorbacks and Thursday's game:
On facing Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament:
Self: "Well, they're a different team obviously and we'll be a different team. Hunter (Dickinson) didn't suit in that game, but a lot probably depends for them on health situation and how those two guys are from a health standpoint. But, it's a hard draw. But, you deserve a hard draw.
"You're a 7-seed, you're going to play a team that's similar to you regardless, and then you're going to have to play a team that's had one of the best years in the country in the second team regardless of it was Arkansas, regardless of if it was St John's. So, it's a hard draw but that's the position that certainly we're in and every other 7-seed is in. But, I like it, I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be fun."
On what stands out about facing a John Calipari team:
Self: "I think, to me, he's always great at recruiting great players and terrific athletes. I think they do a good job coaching them too and I think they usually guard, and I'm sure they'll do that and they're battle-tested going through the grind of the SEC. But, it'll be a fun, competitive game.
"I know we're going to have to play really well to win and I believe they're going to have to play well to win too. So, we've gone against each other quite a bit over time, but I don't believe we've ever gone against each other, except in two really big games, in the NCAA Tournament, and we split those. So, it'll be a much-talked-about matchup, I assume."
On the loss to Arkansas in the 2023 NCAA Tournament:
Self: "That's the first time I've thought of it. I'll be honest, I really don't even remember that tournament, I was so out of it. Two years ago, so I'd like to say I remember, but I really don't. I think we had a chance late, made a couple plays and they made a couple, but what did they end up beating us by? One or three? Something like that, but I'll be honest with you, after I went down in that Big 12 Tournament, I really don't remember much about that year whatsoever."
Behind enemy line: previewing Arkansas vs. Kansas with JayhawkSlant
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Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Arkansas vs. Kansas with JayhawkSlant
Arkansas vs. Kansas matchup preview with Jayhawks perspective from JayhawkSlant.com.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are back in the NCAA Tournament field after a one-year hiatus, as first-year Head Hog John Calipari has navigated a season full of injuries and a short roster to earn the Razorbacks a bid into March Madness. What awaits for his team is a head-to-head matchup between two storied programs and two Hall of Fame coaches.
The 10-seed Kansas Jayhawks and 7-seed Razorbacks drew a first round matchup against each other in the NCAA Tournament, and it’ll mark the second time this season the teams have met, though this meeting will be the first that counts in the record books.
Arkansas and Kansas met in a preseason exhibition that resulted in the Razorbacks emerging victorious, 85-69, back on Oct. 25. The Jayhawks were without three key players that game, though, and Arkansas was also not at full strength. Plus, both teams have grown and evolved since October.
To get a better feel for exactly how Kansas has grown and what to expect in this matchup, we reached out to Shay Wildeboor of JayhawkSlant, the Kansas Rivals affiliate, to provide some context and intel on the matchup. Here is what Shay had for us:
It has been quite some time since the exhibition matchup between Arkansas and Kansas. The Jayhawks didn't play their full roster and the Razorbacks have had guys develop since then, as well. What would you say is the biggest difference in this Kansas team since that exhibition game?
Shay: "When Kansas and Arkansas met back on October 25 inside Bud Walton Arena, Hunter Dickinson, Rylan Griffen, and Shakeel Moore were sidelined with injuries. Dickinson, the 7-foot-2, 265-pound center from Alexandria, Va., leads Kansas in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (10.0), while Griffen averages 6.4 points per game on the season.
"Dickinson, in the previous three games, has logged 104 minutes, hit 32-of-59 field goals, 6-of-11 shots from behind the arc, 7-of-9 free-throws, pulled down 35 rebounds, dished out seven assists, blocked three shots, was credited with four steals and scored a total of 75 points.
"There’s no doubt that Dickinson is playing his best basketball at the right time for Kansas. He’s got the ability to score down low or from the perimeter.
"If Kansas is going to have any success in the NCAA Tournament, Dickinson will need to lead the way, but he can’t do it alone.
"Griffen, the 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard from Dallas, Texas, played a key role in Alabama reaching the Final Four a season ago, will need to regain his shooting touch from behind the arc in the NCAA Tournament opener against Arkansas.
"He has the ability to be a difference-maker, but doing so on a consistent basis has been the biggest problem. Currently, Griffen is averaging just 6.4 points per game and shooting just 33.6 percent (40-of-119) from behind the arc.
"Unless something changes last minute, I don’t anticipate Shakeel Moore playing many minutes, if any at all, on Thursday night."
Hunter Dickinson is one of the best big men in the country and has put together another strong season. He's back in the NCAA Tournament with the Jayhawks for the second time after a Round of 32 exit last year. Is there any pressure on him to take this team further this year? Is there any pressure on the team and coaching staff as a whole after back-to-back Round of 32 exits?
Shay: "If Kansas is going to make a run in March, Hunter Dickinson will need to lead the way for the Jayhawks. He can’t do it alone, but Coach Bill Self made it clear last week that Kansas is going to ride Dickinson in March, and he needs to be the guy that steps up and sets the tone.
"As I mentioned above, Dickinson, in the last three games, has logged 104 minutes, hit 32-of-59 field goals, 6-of-11 shots from behind the arc, 7-of-9 free-throws, pulled down 35 rebounds, dished out seven assists, blocked three shots, was credited with four steals and scored a total of 75 points.
"With the most important part of the season looming, Dickinson is playing his best basketball.
"As good as Dickinson has been lately, he’ll need some help from his supporting cast. In last week's Big 12 Tournament, senior guard Zeke Mayo, logged 74 minutes, hit 12-25 field goals, 10-of-12 shots from behind the arc, pulled down 12 rebounds, dished out five assists, and committed six turnovers.
"Mayo, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from Lawrence, Kan., was at his best at the Big 12 Tournament last week. In two games (defeated UCF and lost to Arizona), Mayo scored 44 points and, like he’s done so many times this season, converted a number of big shots when his team needed it the most.
"If Dickinson and Mayo have similar performances against Arkansas, Kansas will be a tough out. As good as Dickinson and Mayo were last week, AJ Storr (bench), Dajuan Harris, Rylan Griffen, David Coit, KJ Adams, and Flory Bidunga must find ways to impact the game on both ends of the court."
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