Hogs have ingredients ripe for run in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Wednesday Sadness is not an ideal place to start the SEC Tournament, but Arkansas has some of the key ingredients to stick around a while in Nashville.

The No. 12 seed Razorbacks will need to win five games in as many days to extend its season, and it starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday with Vanderbilt.

At 15-16 overall in 6-12 in league play, it is no secret the Hoop Hogs have had more than their fair share of struggles, but there are some reasons for optimism with the page turned to postseason play.

After playing rotation roulette into February, Eric Musselman has settled on an 8-man group that has the Razorbacks playing some of its best ball.

El Ellis, Khalif Battle, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson have settled in as starters with Makhi Mitchell, Devo Davis and Jeremiah Davenport bringing pop off the bench.

More from Natty State Sports: Makhi Mitchell the player to watch in Arkansas’ postseason opener in Nashville

“It’s just kind of a group that when we’ve added everything up, meaning practice, games and the different vehicles we use for statistical analysis, it’s just been the group we’ve settled on down the stretch,” Musselman said.

“The combination is good. It started I think even in the Mississippi State road game. Devo was playing the four at that time. It hasn’t just been this group. It has been the last couple of games. They compliment each other.”

While Arkansas has finally found a group that is fully connected and clicking on the floor, it will likely take some extended depth to pull off a 5-game run that has never been done with the SEC Tournament in its current format.

Experienced pieces like Jalen Graham and Keyon Menifield have provided significant contributions at times this season, but Musselman singled out freshman guard Layden Blocker as one who looks up for the challenge.

“Guys that aren’t in the rotation have to stay ready, especially in a tournament-type setting,” Musselman said. “The further you advance, depth can become more of a factor.

“Guys like Layden Blocker, Layden has practiced really hard. Layden Blocker is staying ready to play, and that’s what you need to do.”

Arkansas has no choice but to take a one game at a time approach, but as fatigue starts to settle in should the Hogs advance to later rounds, do not be surprised to see the rotation get extended.

“If you’re not getting the reps in a game, it’s important to stay mentally focused and get the reps and work on your cardiovascular,” Musselman said. We have some guys that are the first ones in the building, those guys that are doing that type of stuff, they’re staying ready to play.

“Any team that’s fortunate enough to advance, rotations can alter with each extra game that you have to play.”

From a depth standpoint, the wonky lineups throughout a majority of the season could finally turn into an asset as Musselman has the luxury of being able to look deep onto his bench to find production.

The other part of the battle is the mental side of things. Arkansas has its backs against the wall, but it is a team playing with high confidence the last few weeks.

While wins weren’t always the end result, Arkansas proved it belonged with strong road performances against the best competition the league has to offer.

Add in the potential takeover ability of backcourt pieces like Battle and Mark, and the Hogs will hit the hardwood at Bridgestone Arena believing they have more than a puncher’s chance to do some damage.

“The team has played confident,” Musselman said. “Our last three road games on weekends were Mississippi State, Kentucky and Alabama. Those are three hard places to play. All you have to do is look at their home records. We didn’t win them, but we had an opportunity to win all three. 

“I think it’s a more confident team than we were earlier, and I do think this particular group knows where shots are coming from and who they’re coming from.”