Arkansas has had one of the best offenses in college basketball this season. Arizona's defense will test the Razorbacks in every way.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are an offense-first team, and no one would dispute that claim. The Hogs scored over 90 points in each of their first two NCAA Tournament wins this past weekend in Portland. They have made offense look easy this season, and they continued their winning ways in the opening rounds of March Madness. However, we can all appreciate this simple point: Hawaii and High Point are not Arizona. This is a major step up in weight class for Arkansas and coach John Calipari.
Arkansas, due to the upset loss by Wisconsin, did not play a single-digit seed in Portland. The Razorbacks had a 13-and-12-seed path to the Sweet 16. It's great that they're here in the second weekend of the Big Dance, with a chance to make a Final Four and end a very long drought at college basketball's ultimate showcase, but the price of that easier path to the Sweet 16 is that Arkansas has to go from playing Cinderella to playing Goliath, with nothing in between. There's no gradual ramp-up or adjustment. Arkansas would have had that if it had faced Wisconsin, but now the Hogs go from a 12th seed mid-major to the No. 1 seed in their region and the No. 2 team in the country.
The challenge posed by Arizona is that the Wildcats can defend every area of the court. They are physical and sturdy inside, and they are quick and agile on the perimeter. They are tenacious and consistent at that end of the floor, more than they are on offense, where they can have their lulls, as shown against Utah State this past Sunday. Arizona has plenty of skill, but the Wildcats are an effort-first team. They depend on getting loose balls. They rely on making the game hard for the opponent. If the opponent is comfortable and in rhythm on offense, Arizona is in real trouble.
This sets up the fundamental clash of Arkansas-Arizona. Arkansas -- if it can maintain the very high offensive standard it has set for the vast majority of this season -- has a great chance of winning. Darius Acuff can certainly do a lot to help the cause in this regard, but UA can't beat Arizona with one man.
This sets up as a game in which Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond will need to get a lot of work done in their respective matchups. Acuff winning his matchup is a very realistic scenario, but the key point to note is that he can't get his own numbers while no one on the supporting cast helps him out. Arizona and Tommy Lloyd could take the approach that they'll give Acuff one-on-one treatment and will focus on not allowing anyone else to make an impact. Acuff, as we know, is not just a great scorer; he's a great passer and facilitator. Arizona could try to take away Acuff's passing game and dare him to score 50 points against consistent man pressure. Arkansas will need secondary scorers to make significant and timely contributions. If Acuff is able to create, Brazile and the rest of the roster have to find ways of making themselves available and putting themselves in positions where they can thrive.
Arkansas' defense can hold Arizona under 80, but Arkansas will need to score at least 80 in all likelihood if it wants to have a chance of winning this game. It has to be more than just Darius Acuff for the Hogs, though if Acuff is dishing out 10 assists in addition to scoring 30-35 points, that would indicate the Razorbacks are getting the offensive balance and diversity they will need to knock off the No. 1 seed in the West.