The axe of elimination is hanging over the Razorbacks’ heads, and John Calipari seems helpless to stop it. After another upsetting loss against the Florida Gators, Hogs fans have dwindling hopes for the season. March Madness is around the corner, and Calipari’s squad will have to put in the hard yards just to qualify for the postseason. It is not impossible, but their recent performances show the Arkansas team headed in the wrong direction.

On the podcast Locked on Razorbacks, show hosts John Nabors and Curtis Wilkerson discussed their favorite team and its chances going forward. “I think we’re kinda getting to that point where we’re in must-win territory going into this LSU game. That doesn’t mean it’s a must win for fifteen straight games, y’know? You need to reverse course here and get the trajectory going,” said Wilkerson, talking about the Razorbacks’ current predicament. The Arkansas team has fifteen games left, and their situation dictates that most of those games be in the Hogs favour. “A good barometer for Arkansas if they wanna be serious about getting in the NCAA tournament–get above five hundred.”

According to Wilkerson, “The next four games really stand out as an opportunity for Arkansas to do a pretty decent amount of climbing out of an early hole that they dug here…Now it’s just about figuring some things out and taking advantage.” The Razorbacks next face LSU, Missouri, Georgia, and Oklahoma. If they play their cards right, they could be looking at a genuine comeback into the March Madness bracket. However, they need dependable performers to stage such a return.

“The two guys I feel like really have to be good, and have to better for Arkansas if we’re gonna turn this thing around? It’s the inside-outside punch. It’s Boogie Fland at the point guard position, and it’s Jonas Aidoo inside.” The podcast host had said. This is a sentiment that Calipari has been parroting since the Arkansas team started facing their turbulent times. He called out Aidoo after the first loss against the Volunteers, and then he called out Boogie after that. However, both of them are still yet to make a major impact in conference play. “We’ve said throughout the entire year: as Boogie goes, Arkansas goes. He hasn’t gone very far in SEC play, neither has Arkansas.”

The Razorbacks desperately need their dynamic duo to pick up the pace. Currently, it is Adou Thiero carrying all of the workload, and he could use some help. Therefore, if Arkansas is to try and make a title run, Fland and Aidoo need to step up. After that, it’s gonna depend on the coaching of Coach Cal and his championship experience.

John Calipari’s pillar of support, the Thiero show

However the Razorbacks may be playing, there’s one guy that all Hogs fans can see right now–Adou Thiero. The six-foot-eight junior made massive improvements from his sophomore to junior year when he transferred from Kentucky. It is his third year playing under John Calipari, and you can see him fit just fine in his system.

The way he has consistently shown up this year, Thiero is leading the Razorbacks in points, rebounds, and steals. Whatever good the Razorbacks have done in their conference games has mostly been Thiero. “I feel like I can kinda rely on [Adou Thiero], for the most part I know what I’m gonna get out of him.” Wilkerson said about the wing. Over the last few matches, Thiero has done it all. He has rebounded well, cut to the basket well, and scored well. His size and athleticism allow him a unique advantage, and his post control is definitely nothing to sneeze at.

If he continues playing this well and gets his teammates to step up, the Razorbacks could stage a comeback. That is a big if, however, considering their current state. Boogie Fland’s shooting efficiency leaves a lot to be desired, and Jonas Aidoo isn’t taking the shots that he should be. With his size and verticality, he should be a lot more dominating than he is right now.

Coach Calipari has a very large task to accomplish with this Hogs team. If they become a .500 team over the course of the remaining games, he can pull off a major NCAA heist. Regardless of their predicament, the Arkansas-based team will always be in the running as long as they play together. Their next match is against LSU on the 14th. Who do you think will win? Comment below if you think Arkansas has a shot at making the March Madness tournament.