Arkansas Basketball: 5 Positive Signs For 2014-15 Season

By Taylor Sturm

Arkansas Basketball: 5 Positive Signs For 2014-15 Season

Arkansas Basketball — The Arkansas Razorbacks come into the 2014-15 college basketball season as a dark horse candidate to win the SEC. The Razorbacks have every aspect necessary to make a deep run in the 2015 NCAA Tournament as well. Here are five positive signs for Arkansas' upcoming season.

5. Wins Over Kentucky

Julius Randle

5. Wins Over Kentucky

Julius Randle — Last season, the Razorbacks defeated the ranked Kentucky Wildcats twice; that same Kentucky team went to the National Championship. With very few players leaving in the offseason, this is a great sign for the upcoming season.

4. Returning Starters

Razorbacks Basketball

4. Returning Starters

Razorbacks Basketball — Arkansas is returning six of their seven top scorers from last season, including every player who averaged more than 10 points. They also return their leaders in rebounding, assists, steals and three-pointers made.

3. NCAA Tournament Ready Non-Conference Schedule

Arkansas Basketball Coach

3. NCAA Tournament Ready Non-Conference Schedule

Arkansas Basketball Coach — The Razorbacks face several teams that should finish in the top 100 RPI, including Iowa State, Dayton, Iona, Clemson and SMU. Wins over at least three of these teams, as well as not losing to any relatively weak teams, could ensure Arkansas a spot in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

2. Rest of SEC

Tennessee Basketball

2. Rest of SEC

Tennessee Basketball — Arkansas is the only real threat to Kentucky and Florida at the top of the SEC. With teams like Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss losing key players in the offseason, Arkansas is primed to be favored in most of these matchups.

1. Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis

1. Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis — Portis is the x-factor for the Razorbacks. He’s long, he’s athletic and he’s a pretty good scorer when it comes down to it. He has the ability to take control of a game, which is exactly what Arkansas will need when facing elite teams like Florida and Kentucky.

Teams in this article »

Arkansas Razorbacks

Share On Facebook

Share