FAYETTEVILLE — Against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, 48 of Arkansas’ 86 points came from players who did not score in the season opener against Mercer four days earlier.
After not playing against Mercer, forward Connor Vanover made a surprise start and led the Razorbacks with 19 points in the 86-69 victory over Gardner-Webb.
Arkansas also got 10 points from guard Davonte “Devo” Davis, who played 34 minutes but did not attempt a field goal or free throw in the season opener.
Other Arkansas players who had their first points of the season Saturday were: Jaxson Robinson (6), Trey Wade (5), Kamani Johnson (5) and Khalen Robinson (3). Jaxson Robinson did not play in the season opener and Wade, Johnson and Khalen Robinson combined to play 17 minutes, 24 seconds against Mercer.
Wade, Johnson and Jaxson Robinson scored their first points as Razorbacks after transferring from Wichita State, Arkansas-Little Rock and Texas A&M, respectively.
Three-point woes
Gardner-Webb made 13 of 31 three-point attempts Saturday after Mercer had the same stat line from beyond the arc in the opener.
According to HogStats.com, it is the first time Arkansas has allowed nonconference opponents to make 13 or more three-pointers in consecutive games since Oklahoma and Western Carolina combined to make 13 and 14, respectively, in November 1998.
“The one area we have not all bought in — which is on me — is defending the three,” Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said. “It’s the most bothersome thing in a short sample size since I’ve been coaching college basketball. We’re doing the same drills we did when we led the nation (in three-point defense two seasons ago). This team is longer and should do a way better job defending the three, so that will be addressed leading up to our next game.”
More from WholeHogSports: Complete coverage of Arkansas' win over Gardner-Webb
Gallery: Arkansas defeats Gardner-Webb 86-69
Musselman said he was particularly upset with the way the team defended the three-point shot in the closing minutes. Gardner-Webb made 7 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc over the game’s final 9 minutes, 15 seconds.
“I could have hit three or four the way we defended the last eight minutes,” Musselman said. “If you give me a ‘horse’ shot, a wide-open one with my feet set, I’m pretty sure at 56, or whatever I am, I could hit a couple.”
Walton streak
Arkansas extended its win streak to 21 games against nonconference opponents at home.
The Razorbacks have not lost to a nonconference opponent at Bud Walton Arena since Georgia Tech won 69-65 on Dec. 19, 2018.
Arkansas is 19-0 in home nonconference games under Musselman.
The Razorbacks have won 10 straight games at home overall. Their last home loss was to Missouri on Jan. 2.
Wardrobe check
Arkansas’ coaches wore green collared shirts with an American flag patch on the right sleeve in recognition of Veteran’s Day.
The Razorbacks’ warmup tops were also military themed with a camouflage print and flag patch.
Ball movement
After watching his team record just 13 assists and turning the ball over 15 times in the season opener, Musselman acknowledged his team had to be better at finding the open man.
Against Gardner-Webb, the Razorbacks moved the ball with purpose. Davis said they had more passes at halftime (137) than they did during the full game against the Bears.
Those extra passes turned into easy buckets for the Hogs as they racked up 23 assists and committed only nine turnovers.
Five different Razorbacks had at least three assists.
“I thought our starting backcourt addressed issues of moving the ball,” Musselman said.
Series history
Arkansas improved to 2-0 all-time against Gardner-Webb.
The Razorbacks won the only previous meeting between the teams 79-63 on Nov. 27, 2004, in Fayetteville.
Up next
Arkansas will host Northern Iowa on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed by SEC Network-Plus.
The Panthers are 0-2 this season with home losses to Nicholls State (62-58) and Vermont (71-57). Northern Iowa is scheduled to host Dubuque, a Division III team, on Sunday.