It sounds like the Hogs are getting close to full strength ahead of the Arkansas vs Missouri rematch Saturday.
The trio of Trevon Brazile, Jalen Graham and Keyon Menifield Jr. went through pregame warmups and stretching prior to the 11 a.m. CT tipoff, further proving what head coach Eric Musselman told reporters on Thursday.
However, during his interview on the UA’s pregame radio show, Musselman sounded less optimistic about Menifield because he’s still dealing with some soreness in his groin, but his updates on Graham and Brazile were more encouraging.
Graham was able to practice Friday, but experienced soreness afterward. Musselman said he was available “if needed,” but they’d like to give him another couple of days.
The player closest to returning is probably Brazile. After being a partial participant in Thursday’s practice, he went through the entire Friday practice and is available to play against the Tigers. Musselman added that how much and when he plays, though, would depend on how the game unfolds.
Brazile — whose season was cut short last year because of a torn ACL — has missed the last seven games because of knee soreness. Prior to the injury, he was Arkansas’ top rebounder and his 6.5 per game still lead the team. He was also averaging 8.9 points, but his scoring had dipped to 6.8 points per game in SEC play.
Graham missed time earlier in the season with back spasms, but was sidelined the last two games because of a shoulder injury suffered in the loss to Tennessee on Feb. 14. His overall stats — 7.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game — aren’t overly impressive, but he was one of the Razorbacks’ most efficient scorers at the time of his injury. In fact, Graham has averaged 11.6 points on 54.2% shooting in his last five games.
Menifield injured his groin in the Mississippi State game, causing him to miss the second half of that game and the entire Texas A&M game. The Washington transfer has been very inconsistent in his time at Arkansas, with a 32-point outburst against UNC Wilmington, plus 16- and 15-point efforts in wins over Missouri and Georgia, as well as multiple games in which he played fewer than five minutes or didn’t play at all.
Follow along below for updates, highlights and stats from the Arkansas vs Missouri game…
(READ NEXT: Check out our in-depth preview of the Arkansas vs Missouri rematch)
LIVE UPDATES – Arkansas vs Missouri
16:34, 1H – Arkansas 0, Missouri 0
No, that’s not a typo. Neither team has scored in the first 3:32 of the game. Arkansas and Missouri are both 0 of 4 from the floor and have one turnover apiece. The media timeout came a little early because Makhi Mitchell and Noah Carter got tangled up and the refs are taking a look at it on the monitor.
10:34, 1H – Missouri 15, Arkansas 13
Mitchell was eventually assessed a Flagrant 1 and Missouri made both free throws to end the shutout. A Khalif Battle corner 3 got the Hogs on the board and that seemed to get things going a little bit offensively. Trevon Brazile checked in at the 12:32 mark for his first action since Jan. 24. Missouri has five second-chance points and five points at the free throw line.
7:25, 1H – Arkansas 22, Missouri 22
The pace has picked up and the two teams have been exchanging blows. There have been six lead changes and four ties so far. Arkansas can’t keep letting Honor get looks from beyond the arc, as he’s 3 of 5. Battle has been the Hogs’ top offensive weapon. He already has 10 points on 3 of 5 shooting, including 2 of 4 from deep, plus 2 of 2 at the line. His second 3 came from about Fort Smith on the Arkansas outline on the court.
5:33, 1H – Arkansas 25, Missouri 22
Makhi Mitchell makes a layup to give Arkansas its largest lead of the game and Missouri immediately called a timeout. He’s got 5 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in 11 minutes off the bench.
3:45, 1H – Arkansas 30, Missouri 22
The Hogs have stretched their lead to 8. Battle is up to 12 points, but Mitchell is having a nice game, too. However, he did just pick up his second foul. Connor Vanover checked in for the first time at the 4:19 mark and received a mix of boos and applause.
HALF – Arkansas 36, Missouri 34
The Hogs led by eight at the final media timeout of the half, but Missouri went on a run – mainly fueled by Sean East II – to cut into that at the break. The Tigers actually had a chance to tie or take the least in the closing seconds, but turned it over and Arkansas got a couple of free throws out of it. Of course, East managed to get a layup at the buzzer to make it a two-point game.
18:03, 2H – Arkansas 41, Missouri 37
Arkansas scored the first five points of the half, including a tough 3 by Battle, but Missouri drilled a 3 and immediately called a timeout. Battle is up to 19 points on 5 of 7 shooting, which includes 3 of 5 from deep, plus 6 of 6 at the line.
15:50, 2H – Missouri 44, Arkansas 41
The Tigers are on a 10-0 run, with the latest points coming on a second-chance 3 by Nick Honor. He’s got 12 points, all on 3s, and that shot gives Missouri the lead. It also prompted a timeout by Musselman. East has been dominant for the Tigers. He’s up to 19 points.
11:04, 2H – Arkansas 50, Missouri 50
This thing has turned into a back-and-forth affair. It looked like the Hogs had a defensive stop with a chance to get the ball back and make it a two-possession game, but they couldn’t secure the rebound. It resulted in a missed 3, which Vanover dunked home to tie it up once again. Missouri immediately called a timeout. This game has featured 11 lead changes and seven ties.
7:59, 2H – Arkansas 59, Missouri 54
Khalif Battle is having an unreal performance. He made back-to-back 3s to push the Hogs’ lead to seven, but Missouri answered with a couple of free throws. He’s up to 32 points on 9 of 12 shooting, including 5 of 8 from deep, plus he’s 9 of 9 at the line.
3:56, 2H – Arkansas 71, Missouri 62
Arkansas’ lead has hovered around double digits ever since an incredible four-point play by Khalif Battle, who is up to 40 points. He is the Hogs’ only player in double figures at this point and he’s done it on 11 of 15 shooting, including 6 of 10 from deep, and 12 of 12 at the line. He also had 5 rebounds.
FINAL – Arkansas 88, Missouri 73
Arkansas pulled away late to notch a double-digit win. Khalif Battle was incredible, finishing with 42 points on 11 of 15 shooting, including 6 of 10 from deep, and 14 of 14 at the line.
FINAL STATS
HALFTIME STATS
Starting Lineups
| Missouri Basketball | Arkansas Basketball |
|---|---|
| #2 – Tamar Bates – G | #3 – El Ellis – G |
| #10 – Nick Honor – G | #4 – Davonte Davis – G |
| #55 – Sean East II – G | #0 – Khalif Battle – G |
| #0 – Jordan Butler – F | #12 – Tramon Mark – G |
| #35 – Noah Carter – F | #8 – Chandler Lawson – F |
How to Watch Arkansas vs Missouri
Date: Saturday, Feb. 24
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Tipoff Time/TV: 11 a.m. CT (ESPN2)
ESPN BPI: Arkansas has a 68.1% chance to win, favored by 5 points.
KenPom: Arkansas has a 68% chance to win, favored by a score of 76-71.
Odds/Betting Line: Arkansas, -5.5 | O/U 147.5 (BetSaracen)
SEC Basketball Standings
| Team | SEC Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Alabama | 11-2 | 19-7 |
| 2. Tennessee | 10-3 | 20-6 |
| 3. South Carolina | 9-4 | 21-5 |
| 3. Auburn | 9-4 | 20-6 |
| 5. Florida | 8-5 | 18-8 |
| 5. Kentucky | 8-5 | 18-8 |
| 7. Mississippi State | 7-6 | 18-8 |
| 8. Ole Miss | 6-7 | 19-7 |
| 8. Texas A&M | 6-7 | 15-11 |
| 8. LSU | 6-7 | 14-12 |
| 11. Georgia | 5-8 | 15-11 |
| 12. Arkansas | 4-9 | 13-13 |
| 13. Vanderbilt | 2-11 | 7-19 |
| 14. Missouri | 0-13 | 8-18 |
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Check out our story from the first Arkansas vs Missouri matchup this season:
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