The old guys came through for the University of Arkansas basketball team Thursday in Barcelona.
Most of the offseason hype for Arkansas has centered on its 11 newcomers — notably the freshman trio of McDonald’s All-Americans Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh and Anthony Black. But it was holdovers Davonte “Devo” Davis and Kamani Johnson who led the Razorbacks to a 99-86 victory over Catalan Elite in their second exhibition game in Spain.
“Without Devo and Kamani, we don’t win the game, I promise you that,” Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman said. “Probably not even close if those two don’t play. I mean, the game tilts the other way.”
Davis, a 6-4 junior guard, and Johnson, a 6-7 senior forward, are the only two scholarship returnees from last season’s 28-9 team that reached the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight and beat No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga.
Davis, the only player in his third season at Arkansas, started and had 17 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 26 minutes. He hit 7 of 9 shots, including 1 of 2 three-pointers, and 2 of 2 free throws.
Johnson had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
More from WholeHogSports: Full box score from Arkansas' win over Catalan Elite
“I thought Devo and Kamani did a phenomenal job playing hard, following game plans, following the scheme,” Musselman said. “Kamani and Devo are in the right spots. They know our offense. We’ve got some guys that are still struggling to understand our second and third options and how to read a defense.”
Catalan Elite, comprised of professional players from various teams in Spain, gave the Razorbacks a much tougher game than they experienced in routing Valencia Seleccion 107-59 on Tuesday.
The Razorbacks, who jumped ahead of Valencia Seleccion 10-0, fell behind Catalan Elite 9-2 and trailed 28-20 at the end of the first quarter.
Smith had 17 points, 3 steals and 2 assists in 21 minutes, but also suffered 4 turnovers and lost the ball on Arkansas’ first two possessions.
“Obviously not the way we want to start games on both sides of the ball,” Musselman said. “Defensively, we have a long, long way to go.”
Catalan Elite shot 48.3% (28 of 58) and hit 10 of 27 three-pointers along with 20 of 29 free throws.
“I know we don’t play until November, but I’m extremely concerned about our defense on the ball,” Musselman said. “I’m extremely concerned about our defensive awareness off the ball. It’s going to be a challenge defensively.”
Arkansas used a strong second quarter to take a 49-43 halftime lead. The Razorbacks were ahead the entire second half and led by as many as 17 points.
“It was a tough game from the get-go,” Johnson said. “It was way more physical than the first game.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys and transfers, so I think it was a good challenge for us. I think we responded well. We have to do a lot of things better defensively. We’ve got to cut down on the turnovers.
“But it’s a new team. We’re all still building chemistry. It’s our second game playing against other people. I think we’ll be fine.”
Trevon Brazile, a 6-10 sophomore transfer from Missouri, had 14 points, 2 blocked shots and 2 steals, but only 1 rebound and 4 turnovers. He also drew a technical foul in the fourth quarter for standing over a player from Catalan Elite and taunting him after scoring a basket that put Arkansas ahead 80-64.
“We need Brazile to rebound more,” Musselman said. “He had one rebound in a game against a team whose tallest player was 6-7.”
Ricky Council, 6-6 junior transfer from Wichita State, had 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Walsh had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist, and freshman forward Barry Dunning had 10 points. Black played a team-high 29 minutes and fouled out with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
“I like how the locker room was,” Johnson said. “We’re pretty hard on ourselves right now.
“Nobody is in there smiling or laughing. Everybody is kind of down, but it’s mine and Devo’s job to tell the young guys they’ll be all right.”
The Razorbacks shot 56.5% (39 of 69) and hit 16 of 21 free throws, but had 23 turnovers against a team that primarily played zone defense and didn’t press.
“That’s a nightmare, to have 23 turnovers in a basketball game,” Musselman said. “So we’ve got to get a lot, lot better.
“My gosh, 23 turnovers against a team that doesn’t press and doesn’t have great athletes. Those are all self-inflicted wounds.”
Arkansas had 19 offensive rebounds, including nine by Johnson. He hit 2 of 3 shots and 6 of 6 free throws.
“Kamani understands his game. He understands his role,” Musselman said. “I trust him. He’s got great toughness. He doesn’t back down from anybody.
“Sometimes our biggest challenge is more in practice with Kamani than it is in a game. In a game he does exactly what you want.”
Johnson, playing his second season with the Razorbacks after transferring from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and redshirting, said he has worked hard this summer with strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson.
“I’m in way better condition,” Johnson said. “I already have a high motor. Now I can just do it for longer.”
Johnson smiled when asked about how he and Davis are leading the young players.
“I know they’re freshmen and five-stars,” Johnson said. “I mean, they’re super talented, but they need guidance.
“It’s college. Me and Devo are just helping them out as much as we can.
“Like today, we played a professional team. They’re still pros at the end of the day. They played super hard and super aggressive. They tried to win that game to the last second.
“Me and Devo just have to lock in and help them out as much as we can. I know the freshmen aren’t too happy with themselves and how they performed today, but I kind of like how hard they are on themselves.”