4-Point Play: This is Arkansas’ best shot at road win

Arkansas’ men’s basketball team returns to action on Wednesday for a road matchup against Missouri. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

The Razorbacks are in search of their first true road victory of the season and looking to snap a three-game skid. Meanwhile, the Tigers find themselves in the midst of a seven-game losing streak since the start of SEC play.

Curtis Wilkerson and Scottie Bordelon are back with four things to keep an eye on Wednesday evening. This is the 4-Point Play:

• Can the Razorbacks muster some road rage?

Arkansas not only showed signs of life, it showed a rejuvenated sense of pride and fight over the weekend against Kentucky. The Razorbacks have been consistently inconsistent all season, so it is fair to question whether or not this group can take the same energy to CoMo on Wednesday.

The Hogs are 0-3 in true road games this season at Georgia, Florida and Ole Miss with an average margin of defeat of 19.3 points. Arkansas has only led for 1:37 out of its 120 minutes of road play. The Razorbacks have produced two wins in their last 13 road games dating back to last season’s SEC opener at LSU.

If Arkansas is going to get over the hump away from Bud Walton Arena, Missouri is likely its best bet. The Tigers are 6-5 at Mizzou Arena this season with non-conference losses to Memphis and Jackson State as well as SEC setbacks to Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

– Curtis Wilkerson

• Will Khalif Battle take the next step?

After playing seven minutes over a three-game stretch in which he didn’t see the floor against Texas A&M, the Temple transfer has been more of a focal point offensively the last two games — both starts. Though his efficiency has lacked, he’s scored in doubled figures in back-to-back games (11 points vs. Ole Miss, Kentucky) for the first time since early December.

Arkansas’ offense has been dreadful in SEC play — 88.3 points per 100 possessions. Getting Battle more involved makes sense. Him finding a groove from the field would go a long way in the Razorbacks notching a much-needed win.

I like his chances to have a solid scoring night against Missouri, which owns the worst defensive efficiency number and three-point defense in league games.

Following the loss to Kentucky, Eric Musselman commended Battle for his defensive effort. He tallied 1 block, 1 steal and unofficially allowed 2 scores on 6 shots defended. If Battle commits to sitting down and defending, his minutes should remain around 30 per game.

– Scottie Bordelon

• Is Menifield the key at Missouri?

Listen, it is no secret Arkansas has a massive point guard problem this season. If there was a long-term solution, it would have been found by now.

In truth, Musselman is going to have to deploy the position on a matchup basis as best he can.

Missouri is a small team that lacks some of the imposing size in the backcourt that has kept Keyon Menifield off the floor for defensive reasons. Add in that the Tigers are a high steals team that traps, presses and mixes up coverages, this feels like an opportunity for Menifield’s ball-handling and ability to navigate and make plays in chaos.

When things get dicey, Menifield stands out as Arkansas’ best option to improvise and work his way out of trouble without turning it over. The offense has better pace, ball movement and pop when he’s in the game. If Menifield can hold up defensively, this is a great matchup for him.

– Curtis Wilkerson

• What will Arkansas get from its frontcourt?

The status of Trevon Brazile is the biggest question mark for Arkansas entering Wednesday’s game.

Musselman, though, said on his radio show Monday night that the forward didn’t practice earlier that day, leaving him questionable at best. If the Razorbacks don’t have Brazile for a second straight game, they’ll need others to step up again.

Makhi Mitchell, Jalen Graham and Chandler Lawson combined for 25 points, 22 rebounds, 7 blocks, 3 assists and 2 steals against the Wildcats. They also unofficially allowed 7 buckets on 27 shots defended, including 4 of 21 on two-point looks. Kentucky was 0 of 8 against Graham as well.

A repeat or similar performance from Arkansas’ bigs would give the team more than a puncher’s chance to win at Missouri.

– Scottie Bordelon

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