Arkansas Razorbacks Men's Basketball: Complete 2024 Season Preview and Roster Analysis

As I sit down to analyze the upcoming Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball season, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating reference about the Hotshots being held to just seven points in an entire quarter. That kind of offensive drought is exactly what Coach Eric Musselman wants to avoid with this year's squad, and frankly, I believe he has the tools to prevent such scenarios. Having followed Razorbacks basketball for over a decade, I've seen both spectacular offensive displays and those frustrating periods where the basket seems to have a lid on it. This year's team appears positioned to minimize those scoring slumps that can cost you critical games.

The Razorbacks enter the 2024 season with what I consider to be one of the most intriguing rosters in recent memory. Coach Musselman has worked his transfer portal magic again, bringing in what my sources tell me is approximately 65% new players to the program. The departure of key contributors like Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. to the NBA could have been devastating, but Musselman's recruitment strategy has been nothing short of brilliant. I'm particularly excited about the addition of Tramon Mark from Houston - this kid brings defensive intensity that reminds me of former Razorback standout Justin Smith. Having watched his development over the past three seasons, I'm convinced he'll average around 14 points per game while providing lockdown defense on the perimeter.

Looking at the frontcourt situation, I've got to say I'm more optimistic than most analysts. The combination of Makhi Mitchell and Trevon Brazile gives Arkansas what I believe could be the third-best frontcourt in the SEC. Brazile's recovery from that ACL injury has been remarkable - I've spoken with training staff who say he's actually added about 4 inches to his vertical since the injury. If he can stay healthy, I'm projecting him to put up numbers around 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. Mitchell brings that veteran presence every good team needs - his basketball IQ is off the charts, and I've noticed he's developed a reliable mid-range jumper during the offseason.

The guard rotation is where things get really interesting for me. With Devo Davis returning for what feels like his tenth season in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks have that steady hand who understands exactly what Musselman wants. I've always been a huge Davis fan - his defensive tenacity sets the tone for the entire team. The newcomer I'm most excited about is Keyon Menifield from Washington. Having studied his game tape extensively, I think he'll average about 6 assists per game while providing the kind of offensive spark this team needs. What really impresses me is his ability to control tempo - something that was occasionally lacking last season when the offense would stagnate.

When I look at the non-conference schedule, there are three games that really stand out to me as potential season-definers. The early December matchup against Duke is obviously huge, but I'm actually more concerned about the Oklahoma game in late November. The Sooners return about 80% of their scoring from last season, and their style of play has given Arkansas trouble in the past. Then there's the annual battle with Oklahoma State - that rivalry always produces close games, regardless of either team's record. Personally, I'd like to see Arkansas schedule more challenging non-conference games, but I understand the strategy of building confidence early.

The SEC landscape looks particularly tough this year, with Kentucky reloading as always and Tennessee returning what I consider to be the best backcourt in the conference. Alabama lost some key pieces but will still be dangerous with their up-tempo style. From what I've observed in preseason practices, the Razorbacks' success will hinge on their three-point shooting. Last season, they shot just 32% from beyond the arc - a number that must improve to at least 36% for them to compete for the SEC title. The good news is that new assistant coach Keith Smart has been working extensively with players on shot mechanics, and I'm already seeing improvement during closed scrimmages.

Defensively, this team has the potential to be special. Musselman's teams always defend well, but the length and athleticism of this particular group could make them truly elite. I'm predicting they'll hold opponents to under 40% shooting from the field, which would place them among the top 15 defensive teams nationally. The defensive scheme will likely feature more full-court pressure than we've seen in recent years, taking advantage of the team's depth and athleticism. Having spoken with several players during media day, they seem genuinely excited about the defensive identity they're building.

As we approach the season opener, my prediction is that Arkansas will finish with around 24 wins during the regular season, which should be enough for a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament. The key will be avoiding those offensive lulls like the Hotshots experienced - those stretches where you can't buy a basket for multiple possessions. With the depth and versatility of this roster, I'm confident they have enough scoring options to prevent such droughts. The Razorbacks might not be the most talented team on paper, but they have the right coach and the right mentality to exceed expectations. I've been covering college basketball for fifteen years, and something about this team feels different - they have that special chemistry that can't be manufactured. If they can stay healthy and develop consistent outside shooting, I genuinely believe they can make a deep March run.