The first 20 minutes of Arkansas’ game against Connecticut in the Sweet 16 on Thursday evening did not go the way the Razorbacks had hoped.
UConn went on a 14-0 run midway through the half and opened a lead as large 17, ultimately going ahead 46-29 at the break. The Huskies dominated on the glass, outrebounding Arkansas, 22-9, and kept the Hogs looking frazzled the whole time.
Arkansas hurt its own case by simply not making shots. That size that played so well for UConn was intimidating on the interior. The Hogs shot just 33% while UConn shot 61%. The Huskies doubled them up on the inside, too, with a 12-point advantage on points in the paint.
It all left Arkansas fans exasperated.
Very superstitious. Writing's on the wall.
So, anyone else think AB needs to take his hair down at the half??
— Camie Boggess (@arkcab) March 23, 2023
Someone needs to put a rabbit’s foot or something in their shoe. Honestly, though, this isn’t much of a luck thing. Arkansas was dominated in the first half by the Huskies.
Struggle City
One step forward, four steps back. #WPS
— Connor Goodson (@ConnorGoodson) March 23, 2023
Every time it seemed like Arkansas may make a move, Connecticut shut it down. Something is going to have to change for the Hogs.
Arkansas' mistakes compounding
Those AB/Devo and NSJ turnovers within the last two minutes are two of the worst turnovers you'll ever see.
— Jacob Seus (@5NEWSJacobSeus) March 23, 2023
The number of turnovers isn’t an issue for Arkansas. The Hogs had just four of them in the first half. The problem is that they were coming in the places. UConn turned them into nine points.
Nothing going right for Arkansas
we're so bad at fast breaks
— Doc Harper (@doc_harper) March 24, 2023
Seems like a reach, but maybe
Sanogo gonna wear down in the 2nd half with no fluids today….we can only hope.
— Russell Schaap (@77Testarossa) March 24, 2023
UConn’s center is a practicing Muslim observing Ramadan. He doesn’t eat or drink from sunrise to sundown. But if this what Arkansas is banking on, it doesn’t seem realistic.
Don't be this guy
Why do people say this? Do you really think they don't care? It's the Sweet 16. https://t.co/aAAqR3j0IG
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) March 24, 2023
We’re not talking about Hutch. Hutch has the correct take. Thinking a team doesn’t care is nonsensical.
Maybe this?
Maybe musselman needs to take his shirt off again?
— KCJedi (@KCJedi) March 24, 2023
At this point, Hogs fans are reaching for something – anything – to turn the game around.
That would be a story
Halftime: UConn 46, Arkansas 29. Since January 1945 @RazorbackMBB is 2-66 in games it trailed by 17+points at halftime (lost last 44).
Wins:
1/6/1979 (-21 @ Houston at half)
12/8/1951 (-18 vs. Ole Miss in Memphis at half)— HogStats.com (@HogStats) March 24, 2023
Bottom line: it’s going to be difficult for Arkansas. It’s not unheard of, but the Razorbacks have been better in the second half when playing from behind this season, anyway. Still, it’s quite a lead.
