Below are live updates from the first game of Arkansas basketball’s European Tour. The Razorbacks are taking on Valencia Seleccion in Spain. The game is streamed on FloSports.
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4:18, 1Q – Arkansas 21, Valencia Seleccion 9
The starting lineup featured freshmen Anthony Black, Barry Dunning Jr. and Joseph Pinion, as well as transfers Ricky Council IV and Trevon Brazile. Heralded freshman Nick Smith Jr. came off the bench because he missed some time with a finger injury.
Arkansas raced out to a 10-0 lead, as its smothering defense made it difficult for Valencia to even get a shot off. Valencia finally got on the board with a few 3-pointers. But early on, the Razorbacks athleticism was too much for Valencia to handle.
END of 1Q – Arkansas 35, Valencia Seleccion 18
Nick Smith has showcased a smooth shot in the first quarter, knocking down a couple of 3-pointers from the wing. Valencia is still struggling against Arkansas’ pressure, which has created several turnovers and deflections. The highlight of the quarter was an impressive alley-oop from Smith to Jordan Walsh. Walsh got another dunk on the very next play when Black came up with a steal and threw it down the floor to him.
4:51, 2Q – Arkansas 50, Valencia Seleccion 20
A nifty pass from Derrian Ford to Kamani Johnson down low started the scoring in the second half. Johnson also had a steal and nice pass down the floor for a fast break bucket.
Smith has committed a couple of turnovers, but has also had some impressive passes for dunks. The latest was an alley-oop to Council, who showed off the athleticism we’ve heard about this summer.
Most of Valencia’s shots have been from beyond the arc, with many of those well defended. They don’t seem to be getting anything inside.
The Mitchell twins have looked good so far, using good footwork down low and in the paint. Smith, who previously threw down an alley-oop dunk and knocked down a couple of 3s, just showed he’s capable of getting his own shot off the dribble and pulling up from the elbow. Unofficially, he has 10 points and 5 assists.
HALF – Arkansas 58, Valencia Seleccion 31
Valencia went to a zone and it seemed to give Arkansas fits, as the Hogs struggled to get good looks on offense. They are definitely giving Eric Musselman the kind of tape he wanted to later show his team their weaknesses and where they need to improve.
Walsh missed his first couple of 3-point attempts, but did track down one of his own misses and hit one late in the shot clock from the corner.
Musselman received a technical foul with 1:02 remaining in the half.
3:11, 3Q – Arkansas 76, Valencia Seleccion 41
Trevon Brazile put someone on a poster with a dunk in transition started by Black, who grabbed a rebound and quickly threw it down the floor.
The Razorbacks have been able to get to the rim with relative ease, throwing down lots of alley-oops. The latest was from Davis to Black.
Graham used his athleticism to get an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and was able to put it back up and get his first bucket of the game.
END of 3Q – Arkansas 83, Valencia Seleccion 48
Dunning blocked a shot from behind and it eventually led to a bucket on the other end, as Graham grabbed another offensive rebound and put it back up, pushing Arkansas’ lead to 37.
Smith has really good vision to go with his scoring ability. He checked back into the game and promptly made a nice entry pass on an in-bounds play. Kamani Johnson didn’t finish, but it was nearly Smith’s sixth assist, unofficially.
Despite the large lead, the Razorbacks are keeping up the defensive pressure, stepping out and guarding the ball-handler near midcourt. Dunning almost came away with a steal, but Pinion was whistled for foul.
7:42, 4Q – Arkansas 90, Valencia Seleccion 51
Smith has such a smooth shot, which he showcased on his third 3-pointer of the game.
Walsh has been active on the boards, with his latest rebound and some nice ball handling leading to his second assist of the quarter.
A fastbreak layup by Smith gives the Razorbacks 90 total points with 7:42 remaining.
4:53, 4Q – Arkansas 96, Valencia Seleccion 55
Anthony Black’s nice feed to the block led to an and-one by Kamani Johnson, giving him 10 points. He’d have even more, but has missed a few free throws – including this one.
Johnson attacked base line and made a reverse layup for another bucket, something he hasn’t really shown during his time at Arkansas. He also had a steal out near midcourt and threw ahead to Ford for an easy layup.
FINAL – Arkansas 108, Valencia Seleccion 59
He doesn’t get as much attention as his teammates for his athleticism, but Anthony Black threw down an alley-oop on a really nice pass from Davis. On the next possession, Black grabbed an offensive board and was able to get it back up, giving him a quick four points.
It didn’t result in much, but Ford showed really good hustle on a possession, diving on the floor to keep the ball alive.
Brazile threw down another alley-oop to give him 12 points, this one thrown by Graham. It was further evidence of the athleticism Arkansas has at its disposal.
Davis has had a pretty quiet day offensively, but he ended his day with a nice drive and finish with about a minute left in the game.
Pinion could have had a fast break layup himself, but unselfishly threw a behind the back pass to Graham for a dunk.
Arkansas dominated the boards all game long; even on the final possession of the game, the Hogs got a couple of offensive boards before Dunning finally finished it with a bucket.
*VERY* Unofficial Stats
- Nick Smith: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
- Kamani Johnson: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
- Trevon Brazile: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block
- Ricky Council IV: 11 points, 6 rebounds
- Barry Dunning: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
- Jordan Walsh: 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Anthony Black: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
- Jalen Graham: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist
- Makhel Mitchell: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
- Derrian Ford: 4 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist
- Davonte Davis: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
- Makhi Mitchell: 4 points, 2 rebounds
- Joseph Pinion: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist
Check out what Eric Musselman, Nick Smith Jr. and Trevon Brazile had to say about the win:
How to Watch Arkansas Basketball in Europe
Tuesday, Aug. 9 — vs. Valencia Seleccion (Valencia, Spain) — 12:30 p.m. CT on FloSports
Thursday, Aug. 11 — vs. Barcelona Todo-Estrella (Barcelona, Spain) — 1:30 p.m. CT on FloSports
Saturday, Aug. 13 — vs. Orange1 Basket Bassano (Como, Italy) — 12:30 p.m. CT on FloSports
Monday, Aug. 15 — vs. Bakken Bears (Como, Italy) — Noon CT on FloSports
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