From entering conference play with an 11-2 record to losing five consecutive games, the SEC has turned into a nightmare for John Calipari’s Arkansas squad. And just when they hoped to turn things around, they have another bad news as Boogie Fland, their standout freshman guard, is out for the season. Yes, it’s official! What was already a tough road ahead now looks downright treacherous.

The Razorbacks’ SEC struggles began with three tough losses to Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Florida—never close games. Then came the LSU game, which many thought would be their chance but wasn’t. And finally, Missouri delivered the ultimate gut punch with an 83-65 blowout.

To make matters worse, Fland played through that game in pain with a hand injury sustained earlier against Florida. Postgame, Calipari revealed, “Boogie’s hand… it’s pretty bad. We’ve got to make sure we get that thing right.” Well, now we know the extent of it—and it’s season-ending, reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein on Tuesday.

For Arkansas, losing Fland is like a ship losing its captain. He was averaging 15.1 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from the field. He wasn’t just their second-best scorer but also a potential NBA Draft pick, ranked No. 32 for 2025 by ESPN.

Now, the Razorbacks are down to just eight healthy players. “We’ve got nine guys, and if Boogie is out, we may have eight,” Calipari admitted. “Well, guess what those eight guys got to do? Play well. All of them. You can’t have four of the eight and get it done.” 

Assistant coach Chin Coleman echoed this sentiment, saying they’ll need to get creative with rotations and roles. So, who’s going to fill Fland’s shoes? Arkansas has three main options: 

• DJ Wagner
• Billy Richmond
• Johnell Davis

The natural choice “DJ Wagner.” A five-star recruit and a natural point guard seem like the obvious replacement. He’s one of only three Razorbacks averaging double digits (10.1 points) and has 2.7 assists per game.  There’s already been a glimpse of Wagner’s potential in a leadership role. 

Earlier this season, after a disappointing performance where he scored zero points, Calipari pulled him aside and Wagner just responded “Coach, I’m good.” In the next game, Wagner bounced back with a season-high 14 points and five assists. This shows his sincerity towards his game.

Next up we have the experienced veteran “Johnell Davis.” Davis is the team’s most seasoned player, with over 120 games under his belt. However, he’s struggled to find his footing this season, averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds. Critics have pointed to his demotion from the starting lineup as part of Arkansas’s woes.

Davis’ experience could be invaluable, especially against the top-tier SEC teams that boast players with comparable resumes. The problem is he has been inconsistent, limited to just 19 minutes in the Missouri loss. If Davis can step up and bring stability, he could be a key factor.

Then there’s the young blood “Billy Richmond.” A freshman wing with enormous potential. Richmond has only averaged 2 points and 1 rebound per game, but his shooting percentage (60.3%) and athleticism make him an intriguing option. Plus, his chemistry with Wagner could be a game-changer—the two were high school teammates.

So, pushing Richmond up in the rotation might be risky, but it’s a gamble that could pay off if he rises to the occasion.

Let’s see who steps up for Arkansas. In the meantime, though, the calls on Coach Cal’s coaching just keep coming. But you know, his coaching staff isn’t budging. They’ve got all the trust in the world in him.

Coaching staff rallies behind John Calipari amid criticism

It’s easy to pile on criticism during tough times, and Arkansas is getting its fair share. A recent survey of SEC coaches labeled Calipari’s methods as “outdated” and suggested that the team’s roster pieces don’t fit. But assistant coach Coleman isn’t having it. 

When asked about one SEC coach saying Calipari is “becoming archaic,” Coleman wasn’t shy about shutting that down. “Definitely not true. He’s one of the most innovative coaches to ever coach,” he fired back. “To say he’s archaic, you’re fishing, in my opinion, but everybody’s entitled to their opinion.” Coleman even doubled down, calling Calipari “the best coach in the business.”

Coleman’s defense of Calipari shows how much he is respected but the numbers don’t lie. Arkansas is 0-5 in SEC play and has only one Quad-1 victory. With March Madness slipping further out of reach, every game feels like do-or-die.

Arkansas faces Georgia next, a must-win game for a team desperate to prove it still has life. Without their floor general, the Razorbacks will need someone—anyone—to step up. Will it be Wagner, Davis, or Richmond? Or will Calipari’s squad crumble under the weight of adversity? Only time will tell.