2018–19 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team

The 2018–19 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team represented the University of Arkansas during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by eighth-year head coach Mike Anderson, and played their home games at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 18–16, 8–10 in SEC Play to finish a tie for 9th place. They lost in the Second Round of the SEC tournament to Florida. They received an at-large bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Providence in the First Round before losing in the Second Round to Indiana.

2018–19 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball
NIT, Second Round
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Record18–16 (8–10 SEC)
Head coach
Associate head coachMelvin Watkins
Assistant coaches
Home arenaBud Walton Arena
Seasons
2018–19 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 15 LSU 16 2   .889 28 7   .800
No. 10 Tennessee 15 3   .833 31 6   .838
No. 7 Kentucky 15 3   .833 30 7   .811
No. 5 Auburn 11 7   .611 30 10   .750
South Carolina 11 7   .611 16 16   .500
Mississippi State 10 8   .556 23 11   .676
Ole Miss 10 8   .556 20 13   .606
Florida 9 9   .500 20 16   .556
Alabama 8 10   .444 18 16   .529
Arkansas 8 10   .444 18 16   .529
Texas A&M 6 12   .333 14 18   .438
Missouri 5 13   .278 15 17   .469
Georgia 2 16   .111 11 21   .344
Vanderbilt 0 18   .000 9 23   .281
2019 SEC tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

On March 26, 2019, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek fired Anderson.

Previous season

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Arkansas finished the season 23–12, 10–8 in SEC play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place. As the No. 6 seed in the SEC tournament, the Razorbacks defeated South Carolina[1] and Florida[2] before losing in the semifinals to Tennessee.[3] They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Butler.[4]

Senior guard Jaylen Barford was named first team All-SEC, while senior guard Daryl Macon was a second team All-SEC selection. Freshman center Daniel Gafford was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.[5] On March 26, 2018, Gafford announced he would forgo the 2018 NBA draft, and would be returning to Arkansas for his sophomore season.[6]

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Jaylen Barford 0 G 6'3" 205 Senior Jackson, Tennessee Graduated
Trey Thompson 1 F 6'9" 265 Senior Forrest City, Arkansas Graduated
Daryl Macon 4 G 6'3" 185 Senior Little Rock, Arkansas Graduated
Arlando Cook 5 F 6'8" 215 Senior St. Louis, Missouri Graduated
Dustin Thomas 13 F 6'7" 220 Senior Texarkana, Texas Graduated
Darious Hall 20 SF 6'6" 210 Freshman Little Rock, Arkansas Transferred to DePaul
C.J. Jones 23 SG 6'5" 180 Sophomore Birmingham, Alabama Transferred to Middle Tennessee
Anton Beard 31 G 6'0" 190 Senior North Little Rock, Arkansas Graduated

2018 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Isaiah Joe
SG
Fort Smith, AR Northside High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Aug 2, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Desi Sills
PG
Jonesboro, AR Jonesboro High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Aug 19, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ethan Henderson
PF
Little Rock, AR Parkview Magnet High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sep 5, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Keyshawn Embery
PG
Oklahoma City, OK IMG Academy, FL. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) Sep 16, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jordan Phillips
SF
Cedar Hill, TX Cedar Hill High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) Oct 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPNN/A
Reggie Chaney
PF
Frisco, TX Findlay Prep, Las Vegas, NV. 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 222 lb (101 kg) Oct 28, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Mason Jones
SG
Warner, OK Connors State Jr. College 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) Apr 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Ibrahim Ali
C
Nigeria Southwest Christian Academy, Little Rock, AR. 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 244 lb (111 kg) May 14, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Arkansas Commits". Rivals.com.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Roster

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2018–19 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team
Players Coaches

Connors State College
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
C 23 Ibrahim Ali 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 244 lb (111 kg) Fr Maumelle Maumelle, Arkansas
SF 2 Adrio Bailey 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 222 lb (101 kg) Jr Lakeview HS Campti, LA
PF 35 Reggie Chaney 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 222 lb (101 kg) Fr Findlay Prep Tulsa, Oklahoma
PG 11 Keyshawn Embery 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) Fr Midwest City HS Midwest City, OK
SG 3 Khalil Garland 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 198 lb (90 kg) RS Fr Parkview Arts & Science HS Little Rock, AR
PF 10 Daniel Gafford 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 233 lb (106 kg) So El Dorado HS El Dorado, AR
SG 5 Jalen Harris 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) RS So Word of God Christian Academy
New Mexico
Raleigh, NC
PF 24 Ethan Henderson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr Parkview Arts & Science HS Little Rock, AR
SG 1 Isaiah Joe 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Northside HS Fort Smith, AR
SG 13 Mason Jones 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) So Triple A Academy DeSoto, Texas
SF 22 Gabe Osabuohien 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 221 lb (100 kg) So Southwest Christian Academy Toronto, ON
SG 25 Jordan Phillips 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) Fr Cedar Hill Fort Worth, Texas
PG 0 Desi Sills 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Fr Jonesboro HS Jonesboro, AR
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2018-04-21

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 26, 2018*
7:00 pm
Tusculum W 96–47 
 18  Joe   10  Chaney   7  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (13,376)
Fayetteville, AR
November 2, 2018*
7:00 pm
Southwest Baptist W 100–63 
 19  Joe   12  Gafford   5  Tied  Bud Walton Arena (13,283)
Fayetteville, AR
Regular season
November 9, 2018*
6:00 pm, ESPN
vs. Texas
Armed Forces Classic
L 71–73 OT 0–1
 20  Gafford   12  Gafford   4  Harris  Fort Bliss (1,400)
El Paso, TX
November 12, 2018*
7:00 pm, SECN+
UC Davis
Hardwood Showcase
W 81–58  1–1
 21  Jones   8  Jones   4  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (13,444)
Fayetteville, AR
November 18, 2018*
2:30 pm, ESPN
Indiana
Hardwood Showcase
W 73–72  2–1
 27  Gafford   12  Gafford   7  Jones  Bud Walton Arena (17,456)
Fayetteville, AR
November 21, 2018*
7:00 pm, SECN+
Montana State
Hardwood Showcase
W 90–68  3–1
 18  Jones   7  Gafford   11  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (13,698)
Fayetteville, AR
November 23, 2018*
7:00 pm, SECN+
Texas–Arlington
Hardwood Showcase
W 78–60  4–1
 21  Gafford   8  Chaney   6  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (17,403)
Fayetteville, AR
December 1, 2018*
7:00 pm, SECN+
FIU W 121–89  5–1
 34  Joe   12  Gafford   5  Sills  Bud Walton Arena (13,763)
Fayetteville, AR
December 5, 2018*
9:00 pm, CBSSN
at Colorado State W 98–74  6–1
 16  Jones   9  Gafford   12  Harris  Moby Arena (3,238)
Fort Collins, CO
December 8, 2018*
2:30 pm, SECN
Western Kentucky L 77–78  6–2
 19  Joe   9  Gafford   7  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (14,488)
Fayetteville, AR
December 15, 2018*
7:00 pm
vs. UTSA
North Little Rock Showcase
W 79–67  7–2
 21  Joe   14  Gafford   10  Harris  Verizon Arena (13,728)
North Little Rock, AR
December 19, 2018*
8:00 pm, SECN
Georgia Tech L 65–69  7–3
 17  Jones   9  Gafford   5  Jones  Bud Walton Arena (14,368)
Fayetteville, AR
December 22, 2018*
1:00 pm, SECN
Texas State W 73–70  8–3
 21  Jones   10  Gafford   4  Tied  Bud Walton Arena (13,463)
Fayetteville, AR
December 28, 2018*
7:00 pm, SECN+
Austin Peay W 76–65  9–3
 16  Gafford   10  Gafford   7  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (14,267)
Fayetteville, AR
January 5, 2019
5:00 pm, SECN
at Texas A&M W 73–71  10–3
(1–0)
 15  Harris   11  Gafford   9  Harris  Reed Arena (10,049)
College Station, TX
January 9, 2019
7:30 pm, SECN
Florida L 51–57  10–4
(1–1)
 30  Jones   12  Gafford   3  Tied  Bud Walton Arena (17,160)
Fayetteville, AR
January 12, 2019
5:00 pm, SECN
LSU L 88–94 OT 10–5
(1–2)
 32  Gafford   7  Gafford   6  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (17,361)
Fayetteville, AR
January 15, 2019
6:00 pm, ESPN2
at No. 3 Tennessee L 87–106  10–6
(1–3)
 23  Joe   7  Tied   6  Jones  Thompson–Boling Arena (19,282)
Knoxville, TN
January 19, 2019
12:00 pm, SECN
at No. 18 Ole Miss L 67–84  10–7
(1–4)
 16  Embery-Simpson   10  Gafford   7  Harris  The Pavilion at Ole Miss (9,500)
Oxford, MS
January 23, 2019
8:00 pm, SECN
Missouri W 72–60  11–7
(2–4)
 23  Joe   10  Gafford   6  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (13,881)
Fayetteville, AR
January 26, 2019*
5:00 pm, ESPN2
at No. 14-T Texas Tech
Big 12/SEC Challenge
L 64–67  11–8
 16  Gafford   5  Gafford   2  Harris  United Supermarkets Arena (14,290)
Lubbock, TX
January 29, 2019
6:00 pm, ESPNU
Georgia W 70–60  12–8
(3–4)
 23  Jones   6  Tied   4  Jones  Bud Walton Arena (13,970)
Fayetteville, AR
February 2, 2019
5:00 pm, SECN
at No. 19 LSU W 90–89  13–8
(4–4)
 23  Gafford   8  Gafford   5  Tied  Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,311)
Baton Rouge, LA
February 5, 2019
8:00 pm, SECN
Vanderbilt W 69–66  14–8
(5–4)
 28  Gafford   9  Gafford   5  Joe  Bud Walton Arena (13,587)
Fayetteville, AR
February 9, 2019
2:30 pm, SECN
at South Carolina L 65–77  14–9
(5–5)
 17  Harris   6  Bailey   4  Jones  Colonial Life Arena (12,374)
Columbia, SC
February 12, 2019
8:00 pm, ESPNU
at Missouri L 78–79  14–10
(5–6)
 26  Gafford   8  Gafford   5  Harris  Mizzou Arena (9,489)
Columbia, MO
February 16, 2019
7:30 pm, SECN
Mississippi State L 67–77  14–11
(5–7)
 30  Jones   11  Gafford   7  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (17,022)
Fayetteville, AR
February 20, 2019
7:30 pm, SECN
at Auburn L 56–79  14–12
(5–8)
 14  Joe   8  Gafford   3  Sills  Auburn Arena (7,493)
Auburn, AL
February 23, 2019
7:30 pm, SECN
Texas A&M L 80–87  14–13
(5–9)
 23  Gafford   13  Gafford   4  Jones  Bud Walton Arena (16,108)
Fayetteville, AR
February 26, 2019
8:00 pm, SECN
at No. 4 Kentucky L 66–70  14–14
(5–10)
 19  Joe   8  Gafford   4  Osabuohien  Rupp Arena (21,998)
Lexington, KY
March 2, 2019
12:00 pm, SECN
Ole Miss W 74–73  15–14
(6–10)
 22  Jones   4  Bailey   9  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (17,320)
Fayetteville, AR
March 6, 2019
7:30 pm, SECN
at Vanderbilt W 84–48  16–14
(7–10)
 20  Gafford   7  Osabuohien   5  Jones  Memorial Gymnasium (8,517)
Nashville, TN
March 9, 2019
5:00 pm, SECN
Alabama W 82–70  17–14
(8–10)
 29  Gafford   16  Gafford   4  Harris  Bud Walton Arena (16,253)
Fayetteville, AR
SEC Tournament
March 14, 2019
12:00 pm, SECN
(9) vs. (8) Florida
Second Round
L 50–66  17–15
 15  Gafford   6  Tied   5  Harris  Bridgestone Arena (13,000)
Nashville, TN
NIT
March 19, 2019*
8:00 pm, ESPN2
(5) at (4) Providence
First Round – Indiana Bracket
W 84–72  18–15
 18  Jones   8  Osabuohien   6  Harris  Dunkin' Donuts Center (3,057)
Providence, RI
March 23, 2019*
12:00 pm, ESPN
(5) at (1) Indiana
Second Round – Indiana Bracket
L 60–63  18–16
 18  Sills   6  Osabuohien   7  Harris  Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (12,225)
Bloomington, IN
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.

References

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