Yes.
I know, not much of an intro, but the answer to this question is simple.
This kid is like my son, I love this kid!! – Arkansas head coach, Eric Musselman, after 72-71 win over Kansas in NCAA Tournament.
The reason why I think Devo Davis should be the Razorbacks’ primary ball-focal point on offense for the rest of the tournament isn’t very complex: he has been the best offensive player on the floor for the Hogs in the first two opening rounds.
Leading the hogs to an “upset” win over Kansas, Davis marked a new career-high with 25 points, 21 of them coming in the second half. This performance is fresh off his 16 points and defensive prowess against Illinois in the first round.
If it weren’t for Davis, the Hogs would’ve suffered from a double-digit loss, possibly even a blowout. Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. — two players who will be first-round drafts picks in June — combined for 1-10 from the field and 0-4 from the three-point line. Smith actually went scoreless for the first time in his young collegiate career.
And against Illinois, they went 6-22 combined. This doesn’t mean these players aren’t good, both are still going to be lottery picks, but it does show that in the tournament, freshmen aren’t usually the guys to lean on.
Davis, along with Ricky Council IV, has been the veteran leadership for the Hogs this entire season. Once it was apparent that the Hogs would have a rough season due to injuries and inconsistency, Eric Musselman looked at his junior for the leadership they needed to survive a very unusual season.
Are there any Xs and O’s as to why Davis should be the primary focal point in the Hogs’ offense? Probably but so far, Davis’s experience and on-the-floor leadership is the catalyst to Hogs going to the sweet sixteen, especially against Kansas.
Once labeled as just a defensive player with little offensive skill, Davis not only scored the basketball in the second half against Kansas, but he controlled Arkansas’s pace on offense, which gave freedom to Council to be the explosive scorer he was early in the season.
An experienced guard is essential in a run to the Final Four. Davis has been building his offensive game for this period, and Musselman should not ignore who has the hot hand on the team.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3h383th881vsf1 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]