No. 21 Arkansas survived a scare against Jackson State on November 21. The Razorbacks held on for an 84-83 nail-biter in Fayetteville. It’s the second straight tight call for the Hogs after barely beating Winthrop earlier in the week. Jackson State (0-4) came looking to pull off the upset.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Arkansas escapes with 84-83 over Jackson State on Nov. 21 at Bud Walton Arena
- Meleek Thomas scored career-high 26 points off the bench for the Razorbacks
- Trevon Brazile had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the victory
- Jackson State led by returning starters: Jayme Mitchell Jr. (16.0 ppg), Daeshun Ruffin (15.0 ppg)
- Razorbacks move to 4-1 overall; Tigers fall to 0-4
Arkansas Nearly Stumbles Again Against Mid-Major Opponent
No. 21 Arkansas had to battle hard to escape Fayetteville with a one-point win. This follows a 79-75 scare against Samford and the 84-83 nail-biter over Winthrop earlier in the week. Coach John Calipari’s squad is struggling with consistency against lesser competition.
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The Razorbacks controlled the first half but couldn’t put Jackson State away early. Arkansas rebounded slightly better than the Tigers despite size disadvantages. The turnovers plagued both teams throughout the contest. Calipari is clearly frustrated with his team’s defensive communication.
What makes this result concerning is the pattern. The Razorbacks beat Winthrop on a Nick Pringle layup with 11.9 seconds left. Now they’re in constant close games. Bigger tests await with Duke and Louisville coming next week.
Thomas Erupts Off the Bench; Brazile Dominating
| Player (Team) | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meleek Thomas (ARK) | 26 | – | 2 | – |
| Trevon Brazile (ARK) | 14 | 8 | – | 4 |
| Jayme Mitchell Jr. (JSU) | 16.0 ppg avg | – | – | – |
| Daeshun Ruffin (JSU) | 15.0 ppg avg | – | – | – |
Meleek Thomas came off the bench with energy and delivered. His career-high 26 points sparked the comeback. Thomas also had the steal that set up the winning bucket. He’s quickly become critical to Calipari’s bench rotation.
Trevon Brazile was absolutely dominant. The power forward grabbed 8 rebounds and blocked 4 shots. Brazile is the physical presence Arkansas needs against bigger teams. His 14 points came on efficient shooting.
Jackson State Can’t Overcome Early Deficit
Jackson State started the season 0-4 and stayed winless against another ranked opponent. The Tigers entered the game having lost big. They fell to No. 22 Auburn by 46 points on November 20. Earlier losses included games to No. 8 Illinois and No. 6 Louisville.
Jayme Mitchell Jr. leads the Tigers with 16.0 points per game. Daeshun Ruffin averages 15.0 ppg and was SWAC preseason player of the year. Dorian McMillian chips in 11.3 ppg. Despite these scorers, Jackson State couldn’t generate enough offense.
The Tigers were simply overmatched against a ranked SEC team. Arkansas‘s depth and talent won out down the stretch. Still, Jackson State showed some fight late.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
- Arkansas hosts No. 5 Duke on November 27 in a huge nonconference test
- Razorbacks also face Louisville on December 3 before entering SEC play
- Jackson State continues road swing against ranked opponents next week
- Tigers seek first win of season; schedule remains brutal for SWAC team
This win gives Arkansas breathing room, but the schedule tightens considerably. Duke is No. 5 nationally and will pose a real threat. Calipari needs to fix the communication issues on defense before that matchup arrives.
Can Arkansas Finally Play Clean Against Elite Company?
The real question is whether Arkansas can clean up its game. Two straight one-point wins aren’t sustainable against top competition. The Razorbacks have talent to compete with anyone. Yet turnovers and defensive lapses keep happening.
Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile are playing well. Calipari seems to have the right pieces. But execution needs to improve drastically. Duke won’t let Arkansas slide by on lucky finishes. The next week will tell us everything about this team’s ceiling.
Sources
- ESPN – Live game coverage and final score
- CBS Sports – Game analysis and player statistics
- Arkansas Razorbacks – Official team information
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.