Arkansas coach John Calipari found himself in an unusual position this week: His team was 0-4 in Southeastern Conference play and tied for last in the standings.
Calipari is trying to remain positive as the Razorbacks, 11-6 overall, prepare to play at resurgent Missouri (14-3, 3-1) Saturday in Columbia, Mo.
“I thought we played (with) more joy than we have,” Calipari said after Arkansas fell 78-74 at LSU on Tuesday. “I know I coached that way, but . . . I got to do a better job. And told them after the game, I’m not cracking, so let’s just keep going. Let’s get ready for the next one.”
The Razorbacks went 11-2 in nonconference play and defeated Michigan, which was ranked No, 14 at the time. Then came their SEC schedule and losses at Tennessee and at home to Ole Miss and Florida before the defeat at LSU. The Vols, Rebels and Gators were all ranked at the time of their games with Arkansas.
“They’re trying. I just got to do a better job,” Calipari said of his team. “I feel bad for them. I’m going to have to drag them across the finish line on some of these games. I just have to do it.”
Boogie Fland, who had 19 points and five assists against LSU, is averaging 15.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. Big man Adou Thiero leads Arkansas with 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Missouri, on the other hand, boosted its NCAA Tournament profile by scoring an 83-82 road upset of No. 5 Florida on Tuesday.
The Tigers have received a big lift from sixth-year guard Caleb Grill, who missed five games earlier this season with a neck injury. He has scored 45 points over his last three games while shooting 11-for-22 from 3-point range.
Grill scored 22 points off the bench at Florida. He hit his first four 3-point shots to get the Tigers rolling in the first half, then sealed the victory with two free throws with five seconds left.
“That was one of the more resilient victories I’ve ever been a part of,” Grill said. “And everyone knows I’ve been in college forever.”
The Tigers feature a deep team with balanced scoring. Forward Mark Mitchell (13.6 points per game) and guards Tamar Bates (12.8), Grill (12.2) and Anthony Robinson II (10.7) lead the way.
–Field Level Media
