No. 20 Arkansas, coming off a 79-67 win over in-state opponent Little Rock on Nov. 22, will return to the hardwood as the Hogs host Maryland Eastern Shore on Nov. 25 at Bud Walton Arena.
Who is Maryland Eastern Shore
In late May, Maryland Eastern Shore fired its former head coach, hiring Cleo Hill Jr. in June from Division II Winston-Salem State, where he compiled a 90-50 record over six seasons.
One of Hill’s former players, junior Ketron Shaw, followed him to Maryland Eastern Shore and has emerged as the Hawks’ top performer, averaging 21.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. The Hawks also feature senior guard Evan Johnson, averaging 11.8 points per game, and junior forward Christopher Flippin, who contributes 10.6 points per game. Maryland Eastern Shore averages nine three-pointers per game and shoots 36% from beyond the arc.
In their last outing on Nov. 23, the Hawks were overwhelmed by No. 25 Illinois in an 87-40 loss. Maryland Eastern Shore shot just 22% from the field, 25% from three-point range, and 62.5% from the free-throw line.
The Hawks rank No. 358 in KenPom, with offensive and defensive efficiency ratings of No. 348 and No. 358, respectively. Opponents shoot over 63% inside the arc against the Hawks, who also allow offensive rebounds on 40% of missed shots. In their loss to Illinois, Maryland Eastern Shore was outrebounded 59-38 and outscored 42-6 in the paint.
Previewing the Hogs
Arkansas has been led by forward Adou Thiero and freshman guard Boogie Fland. Thiero averages a team-high 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3 steals per game, while Fland leads the team in assists with 5.4 per game and adds 17.4 points per game.
Thiero has been a standout this season, recording 20 or more points in three of the Hogs’ five games. This is a significant leap from last season at Kentucky, where he averaged just 7 points per game. He ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring and is tied for first in steals per game.
The Razorbacks remain shorthanded, as big men Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile have been limited by injuries, with both missing the past two games. The Hogs will look to exit this matchup injury-free as they prepare for a game against their second ranked opponent of the season, No. 25 Illinois, on Nov. 28 in Kansas City at 3 p.m. CST.
Broadcast Information
Time: 7 p.m. CST
Date: Nov. 25
Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: SEC Network+/ESPN+
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