Arkansas Coach Finds Silver Linings Despite Brutal Loss to Powerhouse South Carolina
Despite suffering a lopsided defeat to third-ranked South Carolina, Arkansas women’s basketball coach Mike Neighbors emerged from Bud Walton Arena focused on the building blocks his team displayed against one of the nation’s elite programs.
Rebounding Renaissance
The most encouraging sign for the Razorbacks came on the glass, where they matched up physically with the imposing Gamecocks frontline. After struggling with opponent offensive rebounds in previous SEC contests, Arkansas limited South Carolina to just seven second-chance points—a remarkable achievement against a team that typically dominates the paint.
“We only gave up seven points off of second chance, and we had been struggling rebounding,” Neighbors explained, according to On3. “We’d given up a lot of O-boards in the previous contest in the SEC and I thought that was a focus for tonight and I thought that was something that we actually took heed to.”
The coach praised his team’s newfound physicality and effort, noting they were actually winning the rebounding battle at halftime. “I thought there were a couple we could’ve went and snatched, but at the same time, I thought the points of emphasis and for my team to respond and to be physical and to rebound at the rate in which we did, I’m extremely proud of them,” he said, per On3.
Second Quarter Success
Arkansas showed flashes of brilliance in the second quarter, matching South Carolina’s output 19-19 during that stretch. The Razorbacks found success attacking off ball screens and moving the ball side-to-side, creating paint touches that opened up driving lanes and three-point opportunities.
“We were really trying to force the issue off the pick-and-roll, and really try to get it from side-to-side,” Neighbors told On3. “We tried to focus on paint touches, and when we actually did that, we were able to get down the lane line or spray it for a three.”
Respect for the Opposition
Neighbors didn’t shy away from acknowledging South Carolina’s elite talent. He highlighted the efficiency of guards Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson, who combined to shoot an impressive 5-of-8 from three-point range while also penetrating off the dribble.
Joyce Edwards drew particular praise from the Arkansas coach. “She’s just a force to be reckoned with in the paint,” Neighbors said, according to On3. “When she gets low, she can elevate, she’s long, she’s physical, and so when you’ve got a four and a five like that, that are just a huge presence in the paint, they obviously take a huge focus, but she’s one of the best players in the nation.”
Bates Breaks Through
One bright individual performance came from Jada Bates, who provided a scoring spark off the bench. Neighbors credited her recent practice intensity and improved first-step quickness for her breakout performance.
“I was extremely proud of her. She’s been really working hard. I’ve been pushing her in practice,” the coach shared with On3. “She can score at all three levels, especially off that jump shot, and I think she’s just getting more comfortable. She’s playing at a really high rate and being more aggressive and that’s exactly what I need from her.”
Quick Turnaround Challenge
With Tennessee looming on Sunday, Neighbors emphasized the need to clean up careless turnovers, which plagued Arkansas once again. The Lady Vols’ pressing defense will test the Razorbacks’ ball security immediately.
“We have to make sure we value possessions, value the basketball and limit careless turnovers,” Neighbors stated, per On3.
Despite the challenging start to SEC play, the coach sees these brutal matchups as essential preparation for March. “Like I told them in the locker room after the game: ‘You just showed that you’re capable of rebounding, so no excuses,'” Neighbors said, according to On3. “We’re capable of being physical, we’re capable of rebounding and we have to do that night-in and night-out, because it is a gauntlet in the SEC.”
Sources: On3
