Comparing Hog Freshmen to the Best First-year Classes in Program History

Seldom does an Arkansas freshman class enter the season with as many expectations as this year’s quartet of B.J. Young, Hunter Mickelson, Rashad Madden and Devonta Abron. Rarely are they needed to play as urgently as this group, which – following a summer of transfers and winter of injuries – now makes up half of Arkansas’ eight scholarship players.

But there is precedent.

In previous eras, new Razorbacks have made substantial splashes, kicking off the most celebrated three-year runs in program history. In the mid-1970s, the “Triplets,” three Arkansas natives within two years of each other, got it rolling for Eddie Sutton. The next two waves came under Nolan Richardson, and formed the nuclei of three Final Four appearances in the 1990s.
As a whole, this year’s freshmen haven’t played as many minutes as their predecessors. Expect that to change soon, though. As senior Michael Sanchez recovers from a shoulder injury, Mickelson and Abron will play more. Already, the new guys are setting records – Mickelson has blocked more shots than any previous Arkansas freshman, and these Hogs have won 17 home games, the most in program history.

Still, the Razorbacks lost their first seven games outside of Arkansas. Each of the previous celebrated freshmen classes had won at least three road games by this point in the season. By their second years, they led teams among the nation’s best on the road. Sure, the anticipated return of a healthy Marshawn Powell next season helps. But if this year’s freshmen wait until then to start living up to their predecessors’ standards, it will be too late. Their legacy won’t be determined by how many hearts they can win in their own arena. It will be set by how many are broken in other arenas.

	Freshman season	PPG	FG%	3PT%	FT%	RPG	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	MPG	G
T. Day	1988-89	13.3	45%	34%	72%	4.0	49	48	27	73	23.2	32
L. Mayberry	1988-89	12.9	50%	45%	74%	3.2	135	50	2	50	31.3	32
O. Miller	1988-89	7.7	55%	33%	64%	3.7	41	20	60	65	20.0	30

1988-89 record outside of Arkansas thru 25 games: 5-5

	First season	PPG	FG%	3PT%	FT%	RPG	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	MPG	G
S. Thurman	1992-93	17.4	47%	44%	80%	4.4	67	49	9	52	28.7	31
C. Williamson	1992-93	14.6	57%	0%	62%	5.1	30	7	22	40	25.2	18
C. Beck*	1992-93	7.0	50%	0%	67%	3.8	107	44	7	77	25.7	30
D. Stewart*	1992-93	6.9	54%	47%	56%	3.6	21	20	7	36	15.3	31

1992-93 record outside of Arkansas thru 25 games: 6-3