Arkansas will host the Aggies of North Carolina A&T in Bud Walton Arena on Dec. 21 with tipoff set for 1:30 p.m. CST. The Razorbacks are looking to continue their four-game winning streak as they’re two games away from starting conference play.
“It’s been a good week of practice, really focusing in on us as a team,” assistant coach Chuck Martin said. “A lot of individual work early in the week, and then as we got closer to game day, starting to prepare for North Carolina A&T.”
Previewing North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T is led by junior guard Landon Glasper, who will have a homecoming as the Fayetteville, Arkansas, native leads the Aggies in points and steals per game. He averages 19 points per game and 1.8 steals per game. On the season, he is shooting 33.8% from the field, 35.2% from behind the three-point line, and 82.9% from the foul line. In his last game, Glasper scored 29 points while shooting 40% from the field and 42.9% from deep.
Another Aggie with a homecoming in the Natural State is second-leading scorer Ryan Forrest, originally from Marion, Arkansas. The sophomore is averaging 18 points while shooting 38.5% from the field, 31.5% from three-point range, and 72.3% from the free throw line.
“These kids are Arkansas kids,” Martin said. “One in particular is from here in Fayetteville. So, they’re going to be pumped up, and rightfully so. They’re going to have tons of support, family members and friends. So, we’re anticipating those guys to play really well.”
Aggie big man Nikolaos Chitikoudis, from Thessaloniki, Greece, has been North Carolina A&T’s force on the inside. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks with 8.2 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, along with 9.8 points per game.
Jordan Martin, another guard on the Aggies team, also has a unique storyline for this matchup. His father is Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin. Jordan, a junior, is in his second season with the program.
“I’m proud of him, and I’m excited for him to go through this experience,” Martin said. “I called him yesterday to see how he was doing, and the first question I asked him was, ‘How did you finish the semester?’ He said he got a 3.5.”
Previewing Arkansas
The Razorbacks are coming off an 82-57 victory over in-state opponent Central Arkansas in North Little Rock. In that game, six Razorbacks scored in double digits. The team is finally getting healthy near a pivotal point in the season as they prepare for conference play on Jan. 4, when they travel to face No. 1 Tennessee.
Jonas Aidoo, who was injured in the offseason, is starting to show the player he was at Tennessee last season. Against Central Arkansas, Aidoo finished with 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting, four assists, and two blocks. Alongside him, Trevon Brazile, who was banged up early in the season, is now showing great energy and effort on both sides of the ball. Brazile was a key factor in the last game and the Razorbacks’ biggest win of the season against Michigan.
“TB [Trevon Brazile] is tremendous,” Martin said. “We’re happy that we have him and happy that he decided to stay another year. He’s really put the work into his game, starting this summer, but really picked it up in the fall, and we’ve started to see that the last few games now.”
The Razorbacks’ backcourt has been impressive this season with freshman Boogie Fland and sophomore DJ Wagner. The duo combines for over 25 points, nearly nine assists, and more than two steals per game. Fland is shooting 42.7% from the field, 39.6% from three, and 84.4% from the foul line. Wagner is shooting 46% from the field, 41.7% from deep, and 66.7% from the foul line.
“DJ has spent an enormous amount of time in the gym,” Martin said. “Working every single day, and I think the last few games we’ve been able to see all the work that he’s been doing. Obviously, he’s playing with incredible confidence.”
Broadcast Information
Time: 1:30 p.m. CST
Date: Dec. 21
Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: SEC Network
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