Mitchell's interior presence huge in win over Aggies

Arkansas forward Makhel Mitchell (22) drives to the lane Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, ahead of Texas A&M guard Tyrece Radford (23) during the first half of play in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forward Makhel Mitchell essentially had a perfect 23rd birthday Tuesday.

In his interview postgame with the Razorback Sports Network, the 6-10 transfer from Rhode Island said he had a great all-around day other than dealing with the winter weather that rolled through Northwest Arkansas.

Following the Razorbacks’ 81-70 victory over Texas A&M in Bud Walton Arena, he entered the interview room with a bounce in his step and wearing a green jacket.

Mitchell received the jacket in Arkansas’ locker room for his effort on the glass and turning away the Aggies at the rim throughout the night. He flirted with a triple-double in the win, finishing with 9 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks and 1 steal in a starting role.

“I was in there wiping the board and stuff,” he said with a grin.

Mitchell turning in his best performance as a Razorback is all the more impressive considering he sprained his right foot during Arkansas’ win over Ole Miss on Jan. 21. He missed the team’s win over LSU last Tuesday, then returned and provided critical minutes at Baylor last Saturday.

Following the loss to the Bears, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said the forward was supposed to miss up to two-and-a-half weeks.

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“It was tough the first two days,” Mitchell of the injury. “It was hurting really bad, a bad sprain. I sat out, but I was still doing stuff on the side just in case I did come back anytime soon so I could stay in shape and stuff like that. But I’ve just been working, getting up treatment early with the trainer and stuff, trying to get back on the court.

“Most of the time, I was just pushing through it because I know I’m tough, and I can fight through things like that. That’s what I did tonight.”

Mitchell’s nine points were his most since scoring 12 during Arkansas’ opening game at the Maui Invitational against Louisville in November. He finished with five offensive rebounds against the Aggies, twice adding layups after corralling a miss.

The 13 rebounds were a career high, and his seven blocks were good for second most in his career. Mitchell rejected eight shots against Boston College in his final season at Rhode Island.

“Terrific,” junior guard Davonte Davis said of Mitchell’s impact. “I ain't never played with somebody blocking as many shots as tonight. Last year we had Jaylin Williams taking charges — like five, six, seven a game.

“He gets blocks, so it's different for me, but I like it. It helps us. It's a different dynamic, for sure, from previous years. I know Makhel will continue to keep it up.”

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Mitchell’s interior presence loomed large down the stretch as Texas A&M trimmed a 13-point Arkansas lead to 68-64 with 4:10 remaining. Following a tip-in by freshman wing Jordan Walsh, Mitchell deterred or altered a handful of Aggies field goal attempts over a two-minute span.

He was credited with two blocks in the final 3:28 of the game.

“It just all led up from practice,” Mitchell said. “Coach emphasizes going vertical and stuff. Me and (Makhi Mitchell) actually put in our own drills that could help us defensively in a game, and it showed tonight with the seven blocks and also rebounding, as well. It just started in practice.”

Arkansas outscored the Aggies 64-57 during Mitchell’s 32:16 on the floor. And he played a role in Texas A&M making 15 of 39 lay-up attempts.

According to KenPom data, he has a block rate of 13.9% this season. He has 11 blocks in his 3 starts, and 10 in 55 minutes the last 2 games.

“Great anticipation,” Musselman said. “I think he gets off the floor way better maybe than someone his size and weight (usually does). He does get off the floor quickly. He anticipates. Long arms. He takes pride in blocking shots.

“I thought he had some great verticality, too, maybe where he wasn’t credited with a blocked shot, but he altered some shots.”