Arkansas basketball shows it can be right even when several details are wrong

One of the really encouraging aspects of the Arkansas basketball exhibition season is that the Hogs have shown they can win even when they fall well short of the mark in specific areas.

Against Gonzaga, Arkansas shot well below 40 percent from the field and were bad at the free throw line. Jordan Smith went 0 for 9 from the floor. The Hogs won anyway because they defended well and got a great performance from Billy Richmond.

Against Memphis, Arkansas hit under 30 percent of its 3-point shots. The Hogs continued to shoot free throws poorly. Jeremiah Wilkinson was 4 of 15 from the field, 1 of 9 from 3-point range. Arkansas was able to win anyway because Smith and Richmond were outstanding, and because Miikka Muurinen pounded the glass for 12 rebounds and changed the game with his energy. 

Arkansas might not have shot 3-pointers or free throws well, but the Hogs got to the rim, attacked the paint, and created a lot of high-percentage 2-point shots they regularly made. Arkansas was able to hit over 50 percent of its field goal attempts, offsetting the bad 3-point numbers against Memphis.

With a team as young as this one, there are bound to be a lot of rough edges, ample growing pains, and failings which leave fans tearing their hair out in frustration. This is going to be life with a group of teenagers (at many of the roster spots, not all of them). However, we can all see the potential of this group. What if the Razorbacks start making 75 to 80 percent of their free throws? What if Wilkinson finds his 3-point shooting stroke? What if Smith isn't as up-and-down at the offensive end of the floor and is able to become a more consistent offensive force? What if Ilia Frolov, who was able to get six minutes of playing time against Memphis after not playing at all against Gonzaga, is able to find his footing and become a regular contributor to the team? What if all 10 players who gained double-digit minutes in the preseason are able to continue to play important minutes and produce more consistently?

Some teams face questions in a context of fear or failure: Will Player A be able to avoid a disaster? Will Player B ever become less than hopelessly outclassed and lost on the court? Arkansas isn't facing these doom and gloom scenarios. Instead, the questions point to potential and a higher ceiling. 

Arkansas can be right even when some aspects of game play are wrong. There is so much room to grow for this team, and that's a very exciting thing as the regular season arrives.