By The Numbers: Hogs still need quality point guard play

Arkansas dropped to 10-10 overall and 1-6 in SEC play Saturday with a 63-57 loss to No. 6 Kentucky in Bud Walton Arena.

Below are some key numbers and notes that tell the story of the Razorbacks’ fourth home loss of the season:

• 52.9% – The three-point percentage for Kentucky’s Antonio Reeves, Reed Sheppard and Tre Mitchell

The trio combined to knock down 9 of 17 three-point looks. Other Wildcats were a combined 0 of 3.

Arkansas did a solid job staying attached to Kentucky’s sharpshooters in the first half. The Wildcats were 2 of 9 from deep prior to the break, but they hit 7 of 11 in the final 20 minutes, including 5 of 6 in the last 7:24.

The top bullet point in Friday’s 4-Point Play was the Razorbacks sticking with Reeves and Sheppard beyond the arc. They followed the script until it really mattered.

• 17 – Field goal attempts for Tramon Mark to reach 11 points

In his first game back after dealing with migraines, Mark had his most challenging offensive outing in conference play. He hit just 5 of 17 field goal attempts and was 0 of 4 from deep.

The Wildcats did an exceptional job forcing him into tough two-point looks and keeping him off the free throw line. Mark was 1 of 2 at the stripe.

• 13 – Misses from three-point range in Arkansas’ last 15 attempts

The Razorbacks had another brutal game beyond the arc Saturday. They finished 4 of 19 in the loss, which dropped them to 26.1% in SEC games and 31.7% overall.

If you’re wondering, the 2022-23 team shot 31.3% from deep.

While Kentucky was able to knock down some timely perimeter shots, Arkansas failed to do so beyond Khalif Battle’s triple with 6:23 to go.

• 8 – Combined turnovers for primary ball handlers El Ellis and Mark

It’s late January, the Razorbacks are 20 games into this season and Eric Musselman continues to talk about needing quality point guard play. Arkansas didn’t get it Saturday.

Ellis, making his third start in the SEC, committed a team-high 5 turnovers against 1 assist over 32 minutes. He has finished with more turnovers than assists in 4 of 7 league games.

Ellis had three second-half miscues, and his turnover with 2:22 remaining that led to a layup for Kentucky’s DJ Wagner was a killer.

Mark also had three turnovers in 38 minutes. One of his giveaways immediately resulted in points for Reeves.

“Great question,” Musselman said when asked what his options are at point guard. “We’ll just keep searching. … I don’t have an answer for you right now on that or I would tell you.

“We’ve just got to continue to search and find something.”

• 7 – Points Arkansas outscored Kentucky by when Layden Blocker was on the floor

The freshman guard finished with 2 points on 1 of 3 from the floor, including 0 of 2 beyond the arc, and 3 fouls in 5 minutes. But the Razorbacks won his time in the lineup 15-8 and didn’t turn the ball over.

Blocker played 1:07 in the second half.