Arkansas Basketball: Red Team Triumphs in Annual Intra-Squad Scrimmage
On Wednesday, the highly anticipated annual Red-White scrimmage finally took place at Barnhill Arena, Fayetteville. The Red Team, steered by veteran guards El Ellis and Davonte Davis, outperformed their White counterparts, turning a halftime tie into an 88-70 victory. Six different Red Team players reached double figures in scoring, demonstrating the depth of talent available to the Razorbacks this season.
Unfortunately, the night was not without its setbacks. The Razorbacks were dealt a blow with the injury of Khalif Battle, a Temple transfer who was set to enhance Arkansas’ shooting this season. Having warmed up briefly, Battle retreated to the locker room and later emerged bearing crutches and a boot on his right foot. The absence of Battle, who averaged 17.9 points per game last season and ranked second in the AAC with 2.85 three-pointers per game, will undoubtedly be felt by the Razorbacks.
On a brighter note, Cincinnati transfer Jeremiah Davenport proved his mettle by scoring the White Team’s first 11 points, finishing 5-of-8 from three with 19 points. His ability to make shots from all around the court affirmed his threat to opposing defenses. His performance suggested that he will be a significant asset to the Razorbacks in the regular season.
Chandler Lawson, a former Oregon Duck and Memphis Tiger, also demonstrated his potential, leading the team in rebounds with 10, in addition to his 13 points, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in 27 minutes of playing time. Lawson will be a player to keep eyes on as the season matures. He has shown he can score in multiple ways as well as defend multiple positions on the floor.
Analyzing the team comparison statistics, the Red Team had an advantage in shooting, with a field goal percentage of 69% compared to White’s 55%. The Red Team also held a firm grip on rebounds, with a total of 27 against White’s 17. Points in the paint were another area where the Red Team dominated, scoring 54 points compared to White’s 30. The Red Team also had fewer turnovers and capitalized more on White’s turnovers, scoring 20 points off turnovers to the White’s 8.
In terms of individual performances, the Red Team had a more distributed scoring load. With six players reaching double figures, it showcased a more balanced offensive threat, which could be a vital factor going into the regular season.
Overall, the scrimmage provided a glimpse into the potential of the Razorbacks heading into the new season. The performance of the Red Team demonstrated the depth in the squad, and despite the loss of Battle to injury, the performances of Davenport and Lawson show that the Razorbacks have a healthy reservoir of talent to tap into for the upcoming season.
The Arkansas Red-White game also gave fans a first look at the team’s new additions, offering a taste of what to expect in the upcoming season. As the Razorbacks continue to prepare, the performances and lessons from the scrimmage will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team’s strategies and development.
Arkansas will return to the hardwood on Friday, October 20th, against UT Tyler. This game will be followed by a matchup with Purdue on October 28th. Both of these exhobotopn hames will take place at Bud Walton Arena.
