For anyone who wanted to believe it, Arkansas basketball’s SEC opener a couple weeks back against Auburn could have been chocked up as a fluke.
After Saturday, though?
Arkansas fell to 1-4 to start SEC play, falling to visiting South Carolina, 77-64, in front a Bud Walton Arena crowd that deseperately wanted to believe. Instead, the Razorbacks walked off the floor looking like they may end up being the worst Arkansas team since 2016.
And six weeks are left to sink further.
The Hogs never led against South Carolina and didn’t beat the Gamecocks in any demonstrable way except turnovers. Even then, Arkansas, which committed only five, had just 10 takeaways.
An 8-2 run early in the first half was all South Carolina needed to create breathing room. Coach Lamont Paris’ team shot 52% and held Arkansas to 37% from the floor to keep the Razorbacks at bay. Four different players scored in double figures for USC, led by BJ Mack’s 18 points. He also added nine rebounds.
Tramon Mark, as usual, was Arkansas’ only consistent threat. He also had 18 points and was one 11 players to score, but he was the only one in double figures.
Arkansas is back at things on Wednesday against Ole Miss in Oxford.