Sportradar

2022-06-25 01:26:11 By : Mr. Grant Liu

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The front court will have a different look for Arkansas in 2022-23 after the news that All-SEC forward Jaylin Williams will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and stay in the NBA Draft after being a catalyst for consecutive Elite Eight runs with the Razorbacks.

The 6-10, 240-pound big man averaged 10.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game on 46.1% shooting from the field and 72.9% from the charity stripe. He also added 95 assists, 54 charges, 48 steals and 41 blocks to his loaded box score and now owns the single-season rebounding record at Arkansas. Williams finished with 16 double-doubles on the season, including four in the NCAA Tournament.

Add in the leadership and other intangibles beyond the box score that Williams brought to the table and it's fair to say it stings the Razorbacks to lose him. How will Arkansas replace his production? Well, chances are it will be a by-committee effort, and thanks to an aggressive approach early in portal season, the cupboard is anything but bare.

Eric Musselman knew there was a chance he could lose his anchor in the offseason, and his proactive work led to Arkansas signing four transfer forwards who all stand 6-9 or taller in the span of just over a week following the team's March Madness exit. 

The combination of Trevon Brazile (Missouri), Jalen Graham (Arizona State), Makhi Mitchell (Rhode Island) and Makhel Mitchell (Rhode Island) represent the new wave of forwards at Arkansas and represent a blend of talents that should not only help the Hogs overcome the loss of Williams, but also provide a different type of look at times.

Here's a snapshot of several areas where Williams impacted the game for Arkansas and what we can expect from the new-look front court that will attempt to fill his shoes:

It is certainly hard to replace someone like Williams who has been so integral to the process at Arkansas over the last two years. Things like leadership, communication, hustle plays and court presence can't be measured until the newcomers take the floor and mesh in their new surroundings, but one thing we already know they bring to the table is a strong amount of battle-tested experience.

Brazile only has one season of college ball under his belt but it came in the rugged SEC. He knows exactly what to expect when he arrives on the Hill. The twins got a cup of coffee with high-major play as freshmen at Maryland but have earned their stripes for two additional years in the A10, one of the top mid-major leagues in the country.

It's Graham, though, who stands out in the experience department. He will arrive at Arkansas as a fourth-year player with multiple seasons of starting experience and nearly 80 games in the PAC-12.

In many ways, a back to the basket post game is a thing of the past in basketball, but whether it be making a move on the block, attacking from a face-up, finishing a dump-off or attacking the offensive glass for put-backs, a team needs its big man to be able to convert around the rim. 

Williams — not an above-rim player — made significant strides in that department throughout the season but also had his share of stretches where he jump-hooks were off-balance or he would shrink himself with the up-and-under. Still, according to Torvik, his close-two percentage was a strong 63.0.

Of course, the SEC is a different animal than the A10, but if you're looking for strength, power and more of a traditional big man who can accept an entry pass, make a move and finish, the Mitchell's fit the mold. Makhel (6-10, 245) finished 69.5% of his close-twos, 28 of which coming by way of the dunk. Makhi was an even more efficient 72.9%. Both are effective finishers as roll men.

To add to Arkansas' lob threats in ball screen action as well as guys who should thrive from the dunker spot, insert Graham and Brazile. Both are probably better suited to play the four but have significant experience at the center spot. Graham came on strong late last season and finished 60.5% on close twos in the PAC-12. Meanwhile, Brazile was arguably the most rapidly ascending freshman forward in the SEC, and the high-flying flusher finished 66.7% around the rim, something that will improve as he gains strength.

Williams was one of the most unique rim protectors in the country last season at Arkansas. His 41 blocks ranked sixth in the SEC, but it was his propensity to take charges — 54 of them to be exact — that really set him apart from the crowd.

Those are two of the reasons Williams wound up on the SEC All-Defensive team following the season, but while he was fundamentally sound and overall a plus interior defender, there were multiple examples throughout the season where his lack of verticality cost him in matchups against length such as Walker Kessler, Colin Castleton and Mark Williams.

Arkansas may not take 54 charges as a team next season, but it will have a completely new dimension in the rim protection department with its new additions. All four play above the rim and are proven shot-blockers. The twins are likely to draw the assignment when physicality is required while Graham and Brazile are better equipped to match length and athleticism.

Makhel ranked 19th nationally with an 11.14 block percentage and 25th with 2.39 blocks per game. Brazile, in the SEC, had a block percentage of 10.06 (No. 28) and 1.90 blocks per game (No. 47). Makhi finished top 100 in both categories. Graham dipped a bit last season but still finished 12th in the PAC-12 in blocks per game and is only one year removed from ranking 64th nationally in block percentage.

What about shooting? Williams always had what felt like significant promise in his jumper, but the results never really showed on the stat sheet, although he made some massive three-pointers in crunch time last season.

Williams shot 23.9% from beyond the arc with 17 makes and was 38.7% in the midrange in 2021-22. Those numbers are nothing to write home about but served the purpose of drawing defenders out of the paint to respect him. Can the quartet of newcomers accomplish the same goal?

When it comes to the three-ball, Brazile offers the most intrigue and upside. He shots 33.3% (11/33) last season with a good stroke that suggests there's room for added volume and efficiency. Makhi shot just over 30% from three on limited attempts. Time will tell if Musselman can extrapolate more out of him in that regard. Makhel and Graham are not threats from deep, but Graham in particular shows promise in the midrange where he shot 47.0% on 71 makes last season.

One thing Williams did very well was draw fouls and cash in at the free throw line (72.9%). While the four transfer forwards have no issues getting to the charity stripe, they combined to shoot well under 60% last season. That will certainly be an area to keep an eye on.

Arkansas is losing one of the top volume rebounders in the country in Williams, who ranked top 20 nationally in rebounds per game, defensive rebounds per game and defensive rebound percentage last season. There were very few who could be relied on to finish a defensive possession like Williams who had a keen nose for the ball and read shots off the rim as well as anyone.

The Hogs should be able to rebound well across the board with the type of length and athleticism on the roster next season, but this is an area where the Mitchell twins loom large. Makhi ranked 25th nationally in defensive rebound percentage and pulled down 7.3 total per game. Makhel was also in the top 10 percentile nationally in defensive rebound rate at Rhode Island. 

Brazile averaged 5.5 boards per game in the SEC as a freshman with room for that to grow as he adds strength and potentially takes on an increased role as he develops. Graham has never been a volume rebounder, and Arkansas will need more than the 4.6 per game he produced last season, particularly if he spends time at the five.

With the length and verticality the new four display, there's reason for optimism that Arkansas can see an uptick in offensive rebounding, an area it ranked sub-100 in nationally last season.

For most of the back half of the season, Arkansas was elite defensively. When the Hogs were at their best, Williams played drop coverage against the ball-screen and was free to roam the paint and seek out charge opportunities. When Arkansas found trouble, it was when a stretch big drew him out of the paint (Ryan Davis - Vermont) or a team went small with length and attacked him off the bounce (Tari Eason - LSU). 

It will be tough to replicate the total package Williams was able to provide defensively, but Arkansas should have a group capable of being more versatile in ball-screen action and switchable on the perimeter next season. Makhel could provide a somewhat similar presence, but the other three are more capable of hard-hedging, doubling or switching in a pinch and holding their own. 

Brazile moves very well for his size and has great recovery speed and shot-blocking ability if he is beat off the dribble. Graham ranked in the 90th percentile in overall defense last season, according to Synergy. Makhi is athletic and has defended the perimeter more as a 4-man the last couple years playing alongside his brother at Rhode Island.

A strong argument can be made the Jaylin Williams was the best passing big man in the country last season. He led SEC forwards with 95 total assists and was the straw that stirred the drink for Arkansas thanks to his ability to initiate the offense from the top of the key, find cutters from the high post and skip to shooters or dime for layups from the low block. At times, he probably looked to pass too much to the point where teams would sag off on the perimeter and dare him to shoot rather than let him thread the needle.

Graham could be a big part of the answer in replacing some of that for the Hogs next season. An underrated passer who became increasingly comfortable dishing the rock as the year progressed in 2021-22, he finished with 50 assists on the season and looks comfortable with the ball in his hands anywhere on the floor. 

Brazile only recorded 19 assists last season, but as a former guard who has now grown into a forward's body, he at least has the profile of a player who can see over the top of defenses and find the open man. 

Makhi needs a drastic cutdown in the turnover department, but as a forward with an abnormally high usage rate last season at Rhode Island, he did dish out 1.5 assists per game in what was his first full, injury free season of play. Makhel averaged 1.3 per game himself. The key with the twins will be embracing their role and playing within themselves.

Williams was deceptive as a ball-handler for Arkansas. Never a player to necessarily iso his man and break him down off the dribble, he was patient, smart and opportunistic when he chose to bounce it. In many cases, he would find himself in the backcourt with JD Notae when Arkansas was breaking a press, and he would go on spurts where he would shot-fake his man and attack the basket where he liked to turn to the spin move to finish. Most of his turnovers were results of passes as opposed to careless dribbling.

Graham is exceptionally comfortable putting the ball on the deck and driving it from the perimeter, which makes up for much of what he lacks as a perimeter shooter. Brazile comes with guard skills, and with some work on tightening and lowering his handle, could add that more frequently into his arsenal. 

Makhi is a wildcard. His talent and playmaking ability are undeniable as a big, physical body who is capable of leading the break or turning the corner off the dribble and making a play at the rim. He gets himself into trouble by trying to do too much, as evidenced by his 25.6% turnover rate a season ago. With a more clearly defined role at Arkansas, the hope would be that some inefficiency is masked and he can be utilized to take advantage of matchups in a more niche capacity.

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