Here is everything Arkansas coach John Calipari said following Friday’s 66-65 exhibition loss to TCU at Dickes Arena in Fort Worth:
Frogs made plays, Hogs didn’t down stretch
Arkansas missed its last six shots and did not score a point over the final 3:28 of the game. TCU wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire, but the Horned Frogs made enough plays down the stretch, including a go-ahead three with 17 seconds left to steal the win.
“First of all, give TCU credit. They fought like crazy. We had every chance to win the game at the end. They made the plays, and we didn’t. We took tough shots. They were trying to get fouled and get to the rim.
“My challenge will be let’s learn how to win. We took a 1-on-3 shot with the ball up. We took a three with our 5-man that was… what would you do that for? We turn it over on a lob because we look away and throw it. So, I have work to do, but the only was I would know it is in a game like this.”
What Calipari learned about Razorbacks in exhibitions
The beauty of exhibitions is there are lessons learned, strengths and weaknesses identified, and the end result doesn’t count.
Arkansas was exposed in a few areas on Friday, but will be better for it moving forward. As Cal noted, these teaching moments would not be possible had the Hogs not scheduled aggressively in the preseason.
“That was great for us, and I think it was great for Jamie. That’s what this is supposed to be when you do these things. Both teams walk away knowing. Same with us and Kansas. You walk away knowing okay we have a chance, but these are some holes.
“We’ve had five guys practice until the last few days. The situational work we need, we haven’t done. I can’t blame the players. We didn’t organize. We didn’t get the kind of shots we need to win the game. The ball didn’t go where it needed to go. We didn’t help. We didn’t pass enough. When we moved the ball we looked good.
“A lot of work to do. They kind of hit us in the mouth, which was ‘okay, what are we going to be?'”
TCU’s 8-0 run to close third quarter turned the tide
Arkansas pulled ahead 54-41 with 1:48 remaining in the third quarter and appeared on the verge of blowing things open. Instead, TCU closed the quarter on an 8-0 run that put the Hogs on their heels the rest of the way.
“Did we miss a layup and then three free throws? Then all of the sudden they make basket, basket, and it’s an eight-point run. And we’re like how does this happen? I like that some of the guys struggled. I told them this is really good. Now, are you going to get your swagger back or does this knock you in a hole?
“These kind of games you either win or you learn, and we’re learning. That ending made the game to where we were up 13 ready to go, then a couple breakdowns, missed free throws, missed layups, all the sudden — and this is basketball — it’s a six-point game, it’s a five-point game and that’s where it stayed most of the time the rest of the game.”
Tale of two halves with Arkansas’ three-point shooting
Arkansas shot 5 of 11 from three in the first half and 2 of 13 in a second half where the fatigue was evident. Through two exhibitions, the Razorbacks shot a combined 13 of 48 from beyond the arc.
“We were 5 for 11 at the half, and then we missed a bunch. And we’re a good three-point shooting team. Then again, it may have been a mentality of on the road, game is close, it’s a different shot. That’s what we have to learn, and they have to learn that these are good situations for us.”
Arkansas’ pick-and-roll defense picked on by TCU
Arkansas had major issues defending the middle ball screen against TCU to the point where big man Zvonimir Ivisic was almost pick-and-rolled right off the floor. But he wasn’t the only culprit as Trevon Brazile struggled, and the Razorback guards did not help matters with late backside rotations.
“I think our weak-side defense wasn’t there to jam it up, and our big was coming late. And you have to retreat, you can’t move up, especially when he’s going to the rim. He did some good stuff. He scored it around the basket on us. He played good.”
Thiero plays like pro, backcourt struggles
Adou Thiero looked like a draft pick with an eye-popping performance on both ends of the floor that featured 20 points, highlight dunks, incredible blocked shots and more.
While he elevated his play in a big way, there was also some regression to the mean from a couple players who shined last week against Kansas.
“We did some things for him to get him to where he can attack more. The only thing I said is just go by the guy. Quit trying to fake him and go by the guy. You’re so physical. He looked good today.
“Our guards were not quite as good as they’ve been playing. They’re not machines and they’re not robots. Now we just learn from it.”