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West Virginia basketball: Three keys to victory against Arkansas

By Christopher Mangum

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates a shot with Kedrian Johnson #0 during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates a shot with Kedrian Johnson #0 during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Saturday, West Virginia travels to Fayetteville, AR, to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. After starting 13-2, the Mountaineers have hit a wall and are currently on a four-game losing streak. Saturday’s road game against the 15-5 Razorbacks will be an opportunity for the Mountaineers to get their season back on track.

Dec 11, 2021; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans hold up signs during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at BOK Center. Oklahoma won 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans hold up signs during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at BOK Center. Oklahoma won 88-66. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Arkansas fans are loud; West Virginia must silence them early

Arkansas is 15-5 on the season, an impressive record on its own, but more importantly, they are 11-1 at home. When on their home floor, the Razorbacks have proven to be one of the toughest teams to take down in the SEC. In their most recent game, the Razorbacks defeated Ole Miss by a score of 64-55.

The Mountaineers cannot afford a slow start against Arkansas. West Virginia must establish themselves early by playing sound defense and creating high opportunity shots.

The Mountaineers goal in doing so should be to take the crowd out of the game as swiftly as possible. Crowds are loudest when their team wins, not when the opposition scores points.

The game will be played on a Saturday, meaning more fans will be off work and able to come to the game; however, the game starts at 2 pm. Much of the student section may not have the energy to be as loud as usual because of the earlier game time, which could work in the Mountaineers’ favor.

The early start time and a few early, crowd silencing baskets could be vital to the Mountaineers’ success.

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