'He was awesome': Vanover plays big on both ends

Arkansas forward Connor Vanover (left) blocks a shot during a game against Ole Miss on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Eric Musselman knew how many blocked shots Connor Vanover finished with Wednesday against Ole Miss.

There was a brief moment of confusion following the Razorbacks’ 74-59 victory over Ole Miss regarding the 7-3 forward’s actual block total, but Arkansas’ second-year coach was certain Vanover finished with five.

“I was counting as the game was going on," Musselman said. “I thought he was awesome."

In his 15th start of the season, Vanover put together his best all-around performance in nearly a month, lending a hand in the Razorbacks moving above .500 in SEC play at 5-4.

The Little Rock native scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and was credited with 5 blocks in 29 minutes — his second most in a game this season (he played 34 vs. North Texas).

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Over four games earlier this month, Vanover played 23 total minutes as he struggled to match up with quicker, more athletic forwards. During that stretch, Arkansas was outscored by 31 points in his 44 possessions on the floor, according to HoopLens analytics.

On Wednesday, he returned to early season form in a way and impacted both ends in Arkansas’ third consecutive victory.

“I think Connor played fantastic,” said JD Notae, who scored a team-high 19 points. “Me and Connor, that’s like my brother, so I told him earlier, ‘Play your game. Be you. Go out there and do your thing.’ He did that.”

Vanover’s five blocks were his most in a game since recording six in the Razorbacks’ victory over North Texas on Nov. 28. He had five blocks total in his previous eight games and did not tally one in four games during that period.

If you ask Vanover, he believes he still got shorted in the blocks column against the Rebels.

"I think I might have had more than that because I had a couple tips that they maybe didn't count,” he said. "But it's whatever."

His best block of the night came against Ole Miss’ most physically imposing player, 6-8 forward Romello White. White attempted to post up Vanover on the right block late in the first half, but as he turned left and began to rise to take the shot, Vanover essentially snatched the ball away.

Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis said Vanover intimidated his team around the rim a handful of times.

"It's great. I love blocking shots,” Vanover said. “Being able to take something from someone and send it somewhere else is great. It gives me momentum to go down on offense and do something else as well."

Of Vanover’s seven rebounds, two came on the offensive end and helped the Razorbacks pick up 14 second-chance points. And his eight points were his most since scoring 12 at Tennessee on Jan. 6.

He finished with a pair of dunks against Ole Miss — Arkansas’ first buckets in each half. The first was assisted by Moses Moody less than two minutes into the game, and the second came on a feed from Jalen Tate in middle pick-and-roll action.

Musselman said Vanover was vital in the Razorbacks' ability to break Ole Miss’ extended 1-3-1 zone. Arkansas was often able to simply make a pass over the top of the defense to him in the corner, then initiate offense.

“Connor was awesome,” Musselman said. “The stat sheet doesn’t do him justice because I thought his impact on the game was incredible.”