Chris Lykes is an easy man to spot on the Arkansas basketball court. Look for the smallest guy out there.
The 5-foot-7 graduate transfer from Miami (FL) was a star with the Hurricanes and was considered one of the best players in the transfer portal. Arkansas considered it a coup when it landed him as he’s shown his size isn’t a hindrance, but a bonus.
Still, Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman had said Lykes’ transition from Miami to Arkansas had been rocky. He averaged 15 points a game or more in each of his last three seasons in south Florida. But there he was practically required to be a primary scorer.
That isn’t the case at Arkansas.
“The attention to detail is really new for Chris,” Musselman said a month ago. “I think he’s at his best when he’s just kind of balling or just playing. We’re going to need him to know the plays at the off guard and the point guard position. He’s not there right now understanding the third and fourth option at both those positions.”
Arkansas has a pair of top guards. JD Notae is a similarly styled player and has already spent a couple years in the system. He’s also a preseason All-SEC first-teamer. Devo Davis runs the point and was named preseason All-SEC second-team earlier this week. As it stands, Lykes is the third guard and likely the first off the bench for either one of those players.
Musselman’s marks were a month ago. Since, the Hogs have played both their public intra-squad scrimmage and their first exhibition game. Lykes had 14 on 6 of 10 shooting in the former and 13 points with two assists and two steals in the latter.
Davis has been impressed with how far his elder teammate has come in a month.
“He’s adapting really well, I can tell you that,” Davis said. “From when he first stepped on campus to now, his motor has changed, his demeanor of the game has changed. You could really tell if you were at practice. You can tell in a game, as well.”