One of the Razorbacks’ three SEC wins this season came against the Aggies last month, but this Arkansas vs Texas A&M matchup looked much different than the first because of injuries.
While Texas A&M big man Henry Coleman III missed that game with an undisclosed injury, this time around it was Arkansas’ frontcourt that was shorthanded in Tuesday night’s surprising 78-71 road win vs the Aggies.
Preseason All-SEC selection and projected first-round pick Trevon Brazile has missed six straight games with knee soreness and Jalen Graham missed the Mississippi State game because of a shoulder injury suffered against Tennessee last week. Both of them – as well as guard Keyon Menifield Jr. (groin) – missed Tuesday’s game, too.
Brazile’s absence is especially notable because he played 34 minutes and finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds in Arkansas’ 78-77 win on Jan. 16. Graham played only 3 minutes, committing two fouls and blocking a shot as his only stats.
Despite the lack of playing time in that game, Graham projected to be a significant loss because he’s been one of the Razorbacks’ most efficient offensive threats recently. In his last six games, he’s averaged 10.7 points while shooting 56.9% from the floor.
Turns out, Makhi Mitchell was more than willing to pick up the slack for Brazile and Graham, delivering his most dominant performance yet for Arkansas:
Indeed, outside of a dud vs Tennessee last week, Mitchell has been delivering the physicality that the Razorbacks have long sought in the last three weeks. In 6 of the last 7 games, he’s averaging 16.3 points – 9.5 rebounds – 2.2 blocks – 1.5 assists – 65% 2P – 84% FT, as our own Brandon Baker has noted.
While the 6-foot-10 Jalen Graham is a good scorer, he’s never really been known as a great rebounder. In fact, it’s an area head coach Eric Musselman has specifically called out. However, his presence against the Bulldogs certainly could have helped, as Arkansas was minus-15 on the boards and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
That was a great rebounding Mississippi State team, though. The thinking going into the game against Texas A&M was that this would be a big problem as well. The Aggies lead the SEC with a plus-9.6 average rebounding margin and are No. 1 nationally in offensive rebounds with 18.0 per game. The Aggies managed to do damage on the boards on Tuesday night with 20 offensive rebounds, but Texas A&M finished with just seven second-chance points.
Arkansas, meanwhile, had 19 second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds.
The tables had certainly turned from Arkansas vs Texas A&M Part 1. In that one, Arkansas managed to win despite being minus-12 on the boards and getting outscored 25-9 in second-chance points. That was without Coleman, the Aggies’ second-leading rebounder, playing.
See how the Arkansas vs Texas A&M rematch went down below…
(READ NEXT: Check out our in-depth preview of the Arkansas vs Texas A&M game)
LIVE UPDATES – Arkansas vs Texas A&M
15:32, 1H – Texas A&M 7, Arkansas 5
It took nearly three minutes for Arkansas to get on the board, with Jeremiah Davenport knocking down a deep 3 to start the scoring. He also has the Hogs’ other bucket. He checked in for Devo Davis, who picked up his second foul at the 17:45 mark.
11:50, 1H – Texas A&M 13, Arkansas 11
The Hogs are hanging in offensively, attacking the basket for layups, even if they aren’t making all of them. They’re 4 of 9 from the floor, but have four turnovers. The rebounding battle is 8-4 in favor of the Aggies, though. Jeremiah Davenport picked up his second foul at the 13:40 mark.
8:14, 1H – Texas A&M 19, Arkansas 16
Makhi Mitchell’s strong play of late has continued today, as he has 6 points on 2 of 3 shooting (and 2 of 4 free throws) and 3 rebounds in 7 minutes. The Hogs are still hanging tough.
4:22, 1H – Arkansas 31, Texas A&M 25
A 10-0 run by the Hogs gave them the lead, with a three-point play by Battle putting them on top. He’s up to 10 points. However, Tramon Mark left the court with an apparent shoulder injury. He went straight to the locker room.
HALF – Arkansas 35, Texas A&M 31
Really nice first half for the Hogs, for the most part. Despite having numerous injuries and some foul trouble, they take a lead into halftime. Makhi Mitchell has been awesome. He’s got 13 points on 4 of 5 shooting (and 5 of 7 free throws) and 5 rebounds in 15 minutes.
15:51, 2H – Arkansas 39, Texas A&M 37
Some pretty sloppy play on both sides so far this half, as the two teams have combined for five turnovers and 3 of 12 shooting. The Aggies erased the Hogs’ lead, but a bucket by Makhi Mitchell – who now has 15 points – put Arkansas back on top.
11:29, 2H – Arkansas 44, Texas A&M 40
Texas A&M got in the bonus by the 12:25 mark and Khalif Battle just picked up his fourth foul. Makhi Mitchell still has only 15 points, but he’s up to 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. The Hogs are just 4 of 14 from the floor this half.
10:40, 2H – Arkansas 48, Texas A&M 40
Blocker blocked a 3-pointer by Taylor and it sparked a fastbreak that ended with a layup by Davenport. That prompted a timeout by Buzz Williams. Texas A&M has missed 15 straight field goals and hasn’t made one in 9:10.
7:35, 2H – Arkansas 56, Texas A&M 49
Arkansas stretched its lead to nine before Jace Carter knocked down a 3-pointer to end the Aggies’ drought. The fouls this half are 11-3 in favor of Texas A&M. Makhi Mitchell has a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
2:44, 2H – Arkansas 61, Texas A&M 58
The Hogs have missed seven straight shots and Texas A&M is on a 6-0 run to pull within three. Wade Taylor IV will be shooting a free throw with a chance to pull within two when play resumes. Arkansas led by 10 with five minutes left.
The Hogs made just enough free throws down the stretch to hang on for their fourth SEC win of the season.
FINAL – Arkansas 78, Texas A&M 71
FINAL STATS
HALFTIME STATS
Starting Lineups
| Texas A&M Basketball | Arkansas Basketball |
|---|---|
| #0 – Jace Carter – G | #3 – El Ellis – G |
| #4 – Wade Taylor IV – G | #4 – Davonte Davis – G |
| #23 – Tyrece Radford – G | #12 – Tramon Mark – G |
| #10 – Wildens Leveque – F | #0 – Khalif Battle – G |
| #13 – Solomon Washington – F | #8 – Chandler Lawson – F |
How to Watch Arkansas vs Texas A&M
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 20
Location: Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
Tipoff Time/TV: 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)
ESPN BPI: Texas A&M has a 90.3% chance to win, favored by 14.4 points.
KenPom: Texas A&M has an 84% chance to win, favored by a score of 78-68.
Odds/Betting Line: Texas A&M, -11.5 | O/U 144.5 (BetSaracen)
SEC Basketball Standings
| Team | SEC Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Alabama | 10-2 | 18-7 |
| 2. Tennessee | 9-3 | 19-6 |
| 3. South Carolina | 9-4 | 21-5 |
| 3. Auburn | 9-4 | 20-6 |
| 5. Florida | 8-4 | 18-7 |
| 5. Kentucky | 8-4 | 18-7 |
| 7. Ole Miss | 6-6 | 19-6 |
| 7. Mississippi State | 6-6 | 17-8 |
| 7. Texas A&M | 6-6 | 15-10 |
| 10. LSU | 5-7 | 13-12 |
| 11. Georgia | 4-8 | 14-11 |
| 12. Arkansas | 3-9 | 12-13 |
| 13. Vanderbilt | 2-10 | 7-18 |
| 14. Missouri | 0-12 | 8-17 |
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Here’s our recap of the first Arkansas vs Texas A&M matchup this season:
More coverage of Arkansas basketball from BoAS…
