Arkansas basketball freshmen's defensive growth to be tested vs High Point
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PORTLAND, Ore. — John Calipari is effusive in his evaluation. Arkansas basketball freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas have both made strides on the defensive end.
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The second round of the NCAA Tournament won't feature their stiffest defensive test of the season. They've gone through the regular-season wars against talented backcourts at Duke, Texas Tech and Alabama
But with the season on the line in March Madness, High Point will be the most important challenge to date in their brief college careers.
The No. 4 Razorbacks (27-8) face the No. 12 Panthers (31-4) with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line on Saturday, March 21. High Point rolled to regular season and tournament titles in the Big South behind a rapid and free-shooting backcourt that proved too much for No. 5 Wisconsin. The Panthers went 15 for 40 from the 3-point line in the program's first NCAA Tournament victory.
"They're comfortable shooting it from anywhere, at anytime, miss or make. That's dangerous right there," Thomas said. "So just being alert, not losing sight of their best shooters. Just communicating. If you communicate, you all on one accord, then you can do a pretty good job at locating the shooters."
According to Arkansas assistant coach and defensive coordinator Chin Coleman, point guard Rob Martin is "the head of the snake".
Martin scored 23 points and dished out 10 assists with just one turnover in the win over Wisconsin. He averages 15.6 points and 3.9 assists.
Martin was dynamic at manipulating screens to get inside the paint against the Badgers' defense. But once he gets near the basket, there's always one eye out on his shooters behind-the-arc. Martin and the entire High Point roster hunt 3-point attempts. Chase Johnston, Braden Hausen and Conrad Martinez are all threats.
"That's the whole key. We gotta keep (Hunt) on the perimeter. Make him and their whole team settle for shots instead of passing to open ones," D.J. Wagner said.
Acuff's defense is still suspect. It's a factor in his NBA Draft stock and why he isn't the consensus top point guard in the draft. John Calipari believes Acuff has shown growth in his defensive game, but the Hall of Fame coach also challenged the point guard to be better on that end of the floor this postseason.
Thomas' improvements are undeniable. He had two steals against Hawaii and averages 1.5 this season thanks to long arms that make the wingspan bigger than his 6-foot-5 frame.
Trevon Brazile credits Thomas' improvement to his dedication. The senior sees the freshman constantly asking Coleman questions about the art of guarding, both as an individual and within the team construct.
"(Thomas) is a guy that wants to be coached and accepts coaching," Coleman said. "He plays with a chip on his shoulder. You would think that's like an antagonist, but it makes him who he is in terms of being a competitor. When you're that competitive, you aren't shy about asking others for help."
Coleman believes Thomas' biggest defensive development is how he fits into the team structure. He still takes the occasional gamble, but the freshman from Pittsburgh is generally sound in his assignment and with his communication to his teammates.
Thomas and Acuff have carried the Arkansas offense throughout the season. If they want to extend their time at the NCAA Tournament, they'll have to be just as good defensively against Cinderella.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas freshmen face defensive test vs High Point in March Madness