Arkansas vs Georgia: Injury Report, Starting 5 as John Calipari Faces Big Adjustment to Avoid SEC Disaster

As the Arkansas Razorbacks gear up for a high-stakes showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs on January 23, 2025, all eyes will be on the Hogs as they fight to break free from a winless streak in SEC play. With a tough conference record looming large, Arkansas, under Coach John Calipari, is desperate for a victory to avoid further frustration. Georgia, however, is no stranger to pressure and will look to add to Arkansas’ woes. With key adjustments ahead and a season-defining game on the horizon, this matchup promises to deliver high drama and intense basketball action.

The Arkansas Razorbacks and the Georgia Bulldogs share a rich history, having faced each other 44 times since Arkansas joined the SEC in the 1991-92 season. The Razorbacks hold a commanding 27-17 advantage in the all-time series, including an impressive 14-3 record in games played in Fayetteville. The teams split their meetings last season, with each team defending its home court, but Arkansas has dominated recent matchups, winning 10 of the last 13 contests, including seven consecutive victories at Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas continues to showcase its defensive prowess this season, ranking 4th nationally in blocked shots with an average of 6.11 per game. Offensive rebounding has been another key aspect of Arkansas’ play in recent games. The Razorbacks have grabbed double-digit offensive rebounds in their last three outings, pulling down 15 against Florida, 17 at LSU, and 10 at Missouri.

Despite this effort on the boards, Arkansas has struggled to convert these opportunities into wins, holding just a 2-5 record in games where they secured at least 10 offensive rebounds this season. The team will aim to capitalize on its rebounding strengths and defensive capabilities as it seeks to overcome its challenges in SEC play.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs (11th) are four steps ahead of Arkansas (15th) in the conference standings with a 2-3 record in the SEC and 14-4 overall. While their numbers are comparative to the Razorbacks, seems like the luck is on their side. Both on the court and in the lockerroom.

Injury report and starting lineup

The Arkansas Razorbacks will be without their star freshman guard, Boogie Fland, for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after he suffered a hand injury during the team’s loss to Florida on January 11. Fland, who had been a standout performer for the Razorbacks, averaging 15.1 points and 5.7 assists per game over 18 contests, has been a crucial piece in their backcourt.

Despite playing in Arkansas’ last two games against LSU and Missouri, the injury will sideline him for the rest of the season, marking a significant blow to the team’s hopes of turning around their rough SEC start.

“Boogie’s hand, he fell in the game at our place against Florida,” Arkansas head coach John Calipari said following the Razorbacks’ loss to Missouri, according to 247Sports‘ Connor Goodson. “Billy Richmond jumped on him, so his hand is pretty bad. Don’t know what we’ll do going forward, but we’ve got to make sure that we get that thing right.”

Fland’s absence leaves a void in the Arkansas lineup, with the freshman ranking as the team’s second-leading scorer, just behind Adou Thiero.

On the other hand, the Georgia Bulldogs enter this matchup in good health, with no reported injuries or absences at this time. This gives Georgia an edge in depth and consistency as they prepare to face a Razorbacks team reeling from the loss of their second-leading scorer.

While the official starting lineup for the upcoming game against Georgia has not been released, the absence of Boogie Fland is expected to lead to adjustments in the backcourt. Guards such as Johnell Davis and Adou Thiero may see increased roles to compensate for Fland’s absence.

Nevertheless, we predict the starting lineup for Arkansas would be Adou Thiero, D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, and Zvonimir Ivisic. Replacing Fland might be Jonas Aidoo or Trevon Brazile who have stepped off of the bench when Calipari has thought of the next man up. For the Bulldogs, it would be their similar lineup so far. We can expect Asa Newell, Dakota Leffew, Silas Demary Jr., Tyrin Lawrence, and Blue Cain.

Calipari’s crunch: SEC survival on the line

The timing of Fland’s injury is particularly unfortunate as he had been projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman had Fland pegged to go No. 23 overall to the Dallas Mavericks in his latest mock draft. His absence could impact his draft stock, though scouts had already seen enough of his talent in the season’s first half.

The Razorbacks’ struggles in SEC play have only deepened with this setback, as they find themselves winless in their first five conference games. Arkansas will need to find a way to regroup and adjust without one of their most promising players as they face an increasingly difficult stretch in the SEC.

Under the leadership of Coach John Calipari, Arkansas has faced challenges in the SEC, currently holding a 0-5 record in conference play. The loss of Fland adds to the team’s difficulties, making the upcoming game against Georgia pivotal for their season.

One can grab the game as scheduled to tip off at 8:00 PM Central Time (9:00 PM Eastern Time) and will be broadcast live on SEC Network. For viewers preferring to stream the game, it will be available on ESPN’s streaming platform, WatchESPN. ESPN. Additionally, streaming services such as FuboTV and YouTube TV offer access to SEC Network, allowing subscribers to watch the game live.