Here is a final look at Inside Arkansas’ updated projected depth chart for Arkansas men’s basketball ahead of Friday’s exhibition opener against No. 1 Kansas in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks are ranked 16th in the Preseason AP Poll and are picked to finish fourth in a loaded SEC in the first season under the direction of Hall of Fame head coach John Calipari:
Point Guard
Starter: Boogie Fland (6-2, 175, Fr)
Next man up: DJ Wagner (6-4, 195, So)
In our first edition of depth chart projections back in early August, these two were flip-flopped, but I have heard, and seen, enough to change my tune and project Fland as a starter out of the gates.
My initial “concerns” were about his size and how it would hold up in the SEC as a true freshman. After getting an in-person look at the Tip-Off Tour, Fland is both bigger and taller than I anticipated. The frame is there to go along with the twitch and instinct to be a solid defender.
With Nelly Davis inactive over that weekend, it was really Fland who seemed to assume an alpha role. Comfortable and confident initiating the offense, capable of sliding down and serving as a spot-up shooter and a no-brainer option as an offensive creator in late-clock situations.
Fland has a chance to lead Arkansas in both three-point percentage and makes as a true freshman and could be one of the top first-year players in the SEC.
Shooting Guard
Starter: DJ Wagner (6-4, 195, So)
Next man up: Karter Knox (6-6, 225, Fr)
Did anyone really think I was suddenly going to bench the man John Calipari started all season over a pair of lottery picks at Kentucky? Come on now…
All jokes aside, DJ Wagner looks like an improved player. For starters, he looks healthy and more explosive despite still wearing a bulky ankle brace. It was good to see him finishing above the rim a bit in Pine Bluff.
Wagner’s voice stands out on the floor, and he has a calming presence about him as a guard who is clearly comfortable and confident in Calipari’s system whether he is on or off the ball.
The perimeter jumper remains a question mark, but Wagner is tough to handle when he gets downhill to that left hand, and he will be a major asset as a perimeter defender as well.
Also of note, I saw enough of Knox as a ball-handler and shooter to feel comfortable allocating him some minutes in the backcourt as opposed to almost exclusively the wing. While he moved out of my projected starting lineup, I still see big minutes in Knox’s future.
Wing
Starter: Johnell Davis (6-4, 210, Sr)
Next man up: Billy Richmond (6-5, 205, Fr)
After arguing with folks about Andy Katz labeling Johnell Davis as a wing, here I am putting him at that position in Arkansas’ projected starting lineup. Go figure.
The truth is, his time missed due to a wrist injury allowed Calipari to grow comfortable playing Boogie and DJ together, which I like, and the guard skills of Knox make me more comfortable with the idea of a Fland-Wagner-Davis three-guard lineup.
Davis played in a 4-guard unit at FAU where he served as the de facto power forward, and he makes up for an inch or two lost in height with veteran savvy and a strong, physical frame that plays when defending SEC wings. He will play the 1-2-3 and be on the floor 30+ minutes per night.
Billy Richmond has been a massively pleasant surprise who has gone from ninth-man and smaller role player to a freshman I see factoring in right away.
Supremely explosive athlete, ready-made wing defender, jumper is a work in progress. Richmond can help.
Power Forward
Starter: Trevon Brazile (6-10, 230, Jr)
Next man up: Adou Thiero (6-8, 220, Jr)
I did not have Trevon Brazile being the most impressive player on the roster in the preseason on my bingo card, but that is where we sit today.
Time will tell if it translates to game day consistently, and if the junior forward can stay healthy, but he looks physically stronger, more confident, more aggressive and is shooting the cover off the basketball.
With Thiero having missed some time recently with a minor injury, Brazile has taken advantage and positioned himself to be a key contributor at the 4-5.
Meanwhile, once Thiero is healed up and full-go, it is hard to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t play 25+ minutes per game at multiple positions. His value remains immense with this team.
Center
Starter: Jonas Aidoo (6-11, 240, Sr)
Next man up: Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2, 245, So)
When Arkansas takes the floor against Kansas for its exhibition Friday, my hunch if Zvonimir Ivisic will actually be the starting center because, frankly, Aidoo has missed a lot of time during the preseason.
When healthy, Aidoo is Arkansas’ starter and defensive anchor in the front court. No question. He’s preseason All-SEC for a reason. In Pine Bluff, he looked a little hampered with his mobility and behind in the offense. It will just take a little time.
The silver lining while Aidoo gets back in the swing of things is a ton of reps for Big Z, who Calipari called out as someone he wants to run some offense through this season. Good idea. He is uniquely skilled at his size as a floor-spacer and passer.
Arkansas’ best lineup with healthy bodies during the Tip-Off Tour was Fland, Wagner, Knox, Brazile and Ivisic.