Hoops Scouting Report: Arkansas at Missouri

RileyMcFerran · Jan 30, 2024

HawgBeat - Scouting Report: Arkansas at Missouri

HawgBeat does in an-depth comparison of the stats, metrics, efficiency ratings and more for Arkansas vs. Missouri.

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Arkansas (10-10, 1-6 SEC) is reeling after coming up just short against the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats last weekend, but must quickly turn its focus as the Hogs are slated to take on the Missouri Tigers 8-12 (0-7 SEC) on Wednesday inside Mizzou Arena.

The Razorbacks currently own a 33-27 all-time record advantage against the Tigers, which also includes a 6-4 mark in the two programs' last 10 matchups.

Led by second-year head coach Dennis Gates, the Tigers have lost seven straight conference games. Their last victory was on Dec. 30, when the Tigers defeated Central Arkansas 92-59 at home.

Prior to tip off against the Wildcats on Saturday, Arkansas Athletics released a statement announcing that senior guard Davonte Davis had stepped away from the men's basketball program. Head coach Eric Musselman declined to give a statement on his future with the team.

Redshirt sophomore forward Trevon Brazile was also "not close" to playing against Kentucky due to lingering knee soreness according to Musselman. The former Missouri Tigers transfer plays a vital role with the Razorbacks and will be needed down the stretch of SEC play.

"I don't mean to be a smart alec when I say I am not a doctor but he did not do anything practice-wise," Musselman said on Saturday. "I will tell you that. So when he comes back, I don't know. Knee soreness - I doubt you're gonna wake up, you know, tomorrow's what, Sunday? I doubt you're gonna wake up Sunday or Monday if you were unable to practice, and unable to give it a try tonight."

Leading the Tigers is senior guard Sean East II. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Kentucky native is averaging 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 52.8% from the field and 46.3% from three.

"I watched Missouri today, they played great against South Carolina," Musselman said. "They're gonna be hungry for the game on Wednesday and our guys have to realize how hungry they will be. If you look at Missouri's games, a lot of close scores, like you look at the five-minute mark left in games of Missouri's SEC games. It's unbelievable how close they are and how hard they’ve played."

KenPom ranks Missouri 113th overall nationally and the Tigers are also outside the top 100 in both offensive (109.6) and defensive efficiency (103.9).

Here's a closer comparison of Arkansas' and Missouri's stats, efficiency ratings, projected lineup for the Tigers and more ahead of Wednesday's game, which is set to tipoff at 7:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network:

Last Five Games

Missouri (8-12, 0-7 SEC)	Arkansas (10-10, 1-6 SEC)
1/27 - South Carolina (72-64, L)	1/27 - Kentucky (63-57, L)
1/23 - Texas A&M (63-57, L)	1/24 - Ole Miss (77-51, L)
1/20 - Florida (79-67, L)	1/20 - South Carolina (77-64, L)
1/16 - Alabama (93-75, L)	1/16 - Texas A&M (78-77, W)
1/13 - South Carolina (71-69, L)	1/13 - Florida (90-68, L)

Statistical rankings (per game)

Scoring offense:
Missouri - 73.6 (201st nationally)
Arkansas - 75.3 (160th nationally)

Scoring defense:
Missouri - 73.5 (230th nationally)
Arkansas - 76.8 (296th nationally)

Assists:
Missouri - 13.3 (180th nationally)
Arkansas - 11.4 (309th nationally)

Field goal percentage:
Missouri - 44.8% (177th nationally)
Arkansas - 43.8% (227th nationally)

3-point percentage:
Missouri - 32.4% (238th nationally)
Arkansas - 31.7% (270th nationally)

Free throw percentage:
Missouri - 76.8% (24th nationally)
Arkansas - 71.8% (170th nationally)

Rebounds:
Missouri - 32.35 (326th nationally)
Arkansas - 36.30 (157th nationally)

Blocks:
Missouri - 5.2 (19th nationally)
Arkansas - 6.7 (2nd nationally)

Steals:
Missouri - 8.2 (57th nationally)
Arkansas - 5.2 (319th nationally)
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Kentucky projected starting five

#55 - G Sean East II - Sr., 6'3", 180 lbs.
Stats per game: 33.4 min, 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.6 turnovers, 0.2 blocks, 52.8 fg%, 46.3 3fg%

#10 - G Nick Honor - Sr., 5' 10”, 200 lbs.
Stats per game: 30.9 min, 10.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.3 turnovers, 0.1 blocks, 37.2 fg%, 39.6 3fg%

#2 - G Tamar Bates - Jr., 6'5", 195 lbs.
Stats per game: 23.4 min, 13.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.1 turnovers, 0.2 blocks, 55.2 fg%, 45.8 3fg%

#13 - F Jesus Carralero Martin - Sr., 6'7", 225 lbs.
Stats per game: 13.2 min, 2.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 turnovers, 0.5 blocks, 31.4 fg%, 31.3 3fg%

#0 - F Jordan Butler - Fr., 7'0", 230 lbs.
Stats per game: 9.3 min, 1.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 turnovers, 0.9 blocks, 39.4 fg%, 21.1 3fg%
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2023-24 KenPom efficiency ratings comparison (out of 363 teams)

Missouri (113th)
~ Adjusted defensive efficiency: 109.6 points per 100 possessions (106th)
~ Effective field goal percentage: 51.4% (133rd)
~ Turnover percentage: 15.9% (91st)
~ Offensive rebounding percentage: 26.8% (254th)
~ Free throw rate: 27.7% (306th)
~ Adjusted tempo: 66.7 possessions per 40 minutes (250th)
~ Average offensive possession length: 16.9 seconds (123rd)
~ Average defensive possession length: 17.8 seconds (259th)

Arkansas (112th)
~ Adjusted offensive efficiency: 107.5 points per 100 possessions (150th)
~ Adjusted defensive efficiency: 101.7 points per 100 possessions (91st)
~ Effective field goal percentage: 49.2% (235th)
~ Turnover percentage: 16.2% (110th)
~ Offensive rebounding percentage: 25.4% (300th)
~ Free throw rate: 44.8% (10th)
~ Adjusted tempo: 70.0 possessions per 40 minutes (77th)
~ Average offensive possession length: 17.2 seconds (149th)
~ Average defensive possession length: 16.4 seconds (19th)

*Click here for an explanation on what each rating takes into account.