Arkansas Razorbacks vs Oakland Golden Grizzlies Picks and Predictions December 30th 2024

John Calipari Faces Familiar Foe as No. 23 Arkansas Hosts Oakland

No. 23 Arkansas closes its nonconference schedule on Monday night, hosting Oakland in Fayetteville, Ark. This matchup serves as a final tune-up before the Razorbacks begin Southeastern Conference play.

Razorbacks Leaning on Depth Amid Injuries

Arkansas (10-2) enters the game on a five-game winning streak, but injuries have limited head coach John Calipari’s rotation to just nine players. Among those players, forward Jonas Aidoo stands out as a key contributor as he continues to rehab from an offseason injury. Aidoo showcased his potential in the Razorbacks’ 95-67 win over North Carolina A&T on Dec. 21, delivering season-high performances in points (17), rebounds (11), and blocks (three).

“(His presence) makes us different,” Calipari said of Aidoo. “Going for three, four minutes at a time, in that time, he has a huge impact on the game.”

When healthy, Aidoo adds size and versatility to Arkansas’ frontcourt, pairing well with Trevon Brazile and Zvonimir Ivisic. Ivisic, however, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

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Electric guard Boogie Fland also impressed against NC A&T, notching a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. Aidoo praised Fland’s abilities, saying, “He’s a special player, for sure.”

Arkansas ranks fourth in the SEC in field-goal percentage (50.8%) and relies heavily on forward Adou Thiero, who leads the team with 17.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Guards Boogie Fland and D.J. Wagner contribute 15.3 and 10.1 points per game, respectively.

Oakland Looking to Rebound from Early Struggles

Oakland (4-9) has struggled offensively this season, and head coach Greg Kampe has been searching for solutions. The Golden Grizzlies are 1-5 in their last six games, including a 73-70 overtime loss to Hawaii in the Diamond Head Classic’s third-place game on Christmas night.

Kampe, the longest-tenured coach in the NCAA with 41 seasons at Oakland, acknowledged the team’s offensive woes earlier this month, saying, “I’ve got to figure out what we can do offensively to have success … (because) it’s not successful.”

One bright spot has been senior guard Malcolm Christie, who has scored in double figures in five straight games, including a season-high 27 points against Hawaii. Christie has made 26 of 70 attempts (37.1%) from beyond the arc during this stretch, providing a consistent scoring option.

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Joining Christie in double figures this season are Allen Mukeba (13.1 points per game), DQ Cole (11.4), and Buru Naivalurua (11.3).

A Familiar Matchup

This game brings a hint of nostalgia as Oakland upset a third-seeded Kentucky team led by Calipari in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last March. While this version of Oakland’s team is much different, the memory of that upset could add extra motivation for the Razorbacks.

Outlook

Arkansas looks to continue its strong play heading into SEC competition, relying on its balanced attack and improving health. Meanwhile, Oakland hopes to find offensive rhythm and end its struggles against high-level competition. For Calipari and the Razorbacks, this game is both a test and a chance to fine-tune before the challenges of conference play.

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