Arkansas basketball is on the cusp of its SEC journey. The Razorbacks, currently standing at 7-2, have just four games left before venturing out on the road to face the formidable No. 3 Tennessee. With nine games already behind them, we've gained a wealth of insights into John Calipari's first team in Fayetteville. Let's delve into nine key observations from the first month of the season, following their 75-60 victory over UTSA on Saturday.

Uncover the Insights of Arkansas Basketball's Early Season

Adou Thiero's Leap

Thiero is truly making a significant impact. He's now averaging an astonishing 18.6 points per game, along with 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.1 assists - all career-highs. Last year at Kentucky, he only averaged 7.2 points. His ability to get to the basket at will and finish through contact is remarkable. He's emerged as an unquestioned leader for Arkansas, and the only aspect left to develop is his jump shot. Unfortunately, he's still struggling with a 21.1% success rate from 3-point range.Moreover, Thiero's dominance on the court has been a game-changer for the team. His aggressive play and scoring ability have opened up opportunities for his teammates. Opposing defenses are constantly on edge when he's on the floor, knowing that he can score at any moment.

The Offense Runs Through Boogie Fland

DJ Wagner was widely anticipated to be the team's orchestrator, but Fland has taken the lead. He's averaging 15 points and 5.2 assists, with shooting splits of 41/40/82. Fland has proven to be one of the best freshmen and point guards across the country. When the game reached crunch time against Miami, he showed that he can also be a clutch player.His playmaking skills and ability to control the tempo of the game have been crucial. Fland's presence on the floor allows the offense to flow smoothly, and he's able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Whether it's a quick pass for an easy layup or a well-timed assist, Fland is always in the right place at the right time.

And Surprisingly Not Johnell Davis

It was widely expected that Davis would lead Arkansas in scoring, but he hasn't been able to translate his success from Florida Atlantic to Fayetteville. Last season, he averaged 18.2 points on 41.4% shooting from three. This year, his average has dropped to 9.3 points with a 38.5% rate.The ups and downs in Davis' Arkansas career can be seen in his last five games. He scored just two points against Little Rock, 16 against Maryland Eastern Shore, three in a loss to Illinois, 12 in a win over Miami, and 13 against UTSA on Saturday. It's clear that he's been struggling to find his rhythm and make an impact on the team.

Zvonimir Ivišić is the Best Shooter on the Team

Calipari initially wanted Ivišić to focus less on 3-pointers during the preseason, but Arkansas needs the 7-foot-2 center from Croatia to stretch opposing defenses. Ivišić has been on fire from long range, shooting 19 of 33 (57.6%) this season. The next closest player on the roster is Boogie Fland at 40%. Unfortunately, Ivišić didn't play on Saturday due to an ankle injury.His shooting ability has been a valuable asset for the team. Opposing teams have to respect his range and be cautious when defending him. Ivišić's presence on the floor gives Arkansas an extra dimension and opens up the offense.

But 3-Pointers Remain a Concern

The entire roster is shooting 36.2% on 3-pointers this season. This number improved after an 11 for 23 showing against Miami, bringing Arkansas closer to the 36.9% average of the last 20 Final Four teams. However, the biggest concern is the lack of options from behind-the-arc. Only four players have made more than 10 threes, and opposing teams are starting to sag off players like Adou Thiero, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond.This lack of shooting depth could pose a problem in the SEC, where teams will be more focused on defending the 3-point line. The Razorbacks will need to find ways to improve their 3-point shooting and create more scoring opportunities from beyond the arc.

Hogs are Reluctant to Play Two Bigs

Injuries to Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile have had a significant impact, and even Zvonimir Ivišić sprained his ankle in a recent practice. As a result, the Hogs have only played two bigs together on the floor for 24:35 this season. Typically, Calipari has opted to use one big and play Adou Thiero at the four. This decision has helped Thiero find mismatches on offense, but Arkansas will definitely need more size in the SEC.Finding the right balance between playing one big and two bigs will be crucial for the team's success in the conference. Calipari will need to make adjustments and find ways to utilize the size and talent on his roster.

Defense Built on Steals

The Razorbacks entered Saturday ranked 23rd in the country, averaging 10 steals per game. Only three SEC teams were averaging a higher number in this category. Thiero and Wagner have been the driving forces behind this disruptive defense, which ranks 20th in KenPom's defensive efficiency metric. The Hogs are capitalizing on turnovers and generating easy baskets.Their aggressive defense and ability to create steals have been a key factor in their success. Opposing teams have to be careful when handling the ball against the Razorbacks, knowing that a steal could lead to a fast-break opportunity.

Richmond and Knox at Different Stages

In a mild surprise, Billy Richmond III appears more ready to contribute at both ends of the floor than Karter Knox. Richmond is playing four more minutes per game than Knox and has earned Calipari's trust defensively, despite being the lower-rated recruit in the 2024 class.Knox is starting to show signs of improvement as well. He scored six points with four rebounds in Saturday's win, demonstrating his potential. Both players will need to continue to develop and contribute to the team's success.

Calipari wasn't Kidding about his Small Roster

Even with the injuries, Calipari has stuck with his nine rotational pieces and hasn't given much playing time to reserves like Casmir Chavis and Melo Sanchez. They've combined for only eight garbage-time minutes against Maryland Eastern Shore.This small roster presents a challenge for the team, as they need to rely on their core players to perform. Calipari will need to manage the minutes and keep his players fresh throughout the season.