Throughout the first seven games Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile was noticeably more passive on offense than a season ago. While there have been more offensive options for the Razorbacks this season, the former Missouri transfer may have come into his own against Duke on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-10 junior is averaging an earnest 11 points similar to his nine games played last year before suffering an ACL injury. Brazile has asserted himself as a rim protector blocking two shots per game. He’s also been a willing rebounder pulling in a career high six rebounds. The amount of physicality he is forcing each night shows the trust in the medical staff who repaired his knee and the rehabilitation which prepared his return.
"Coming up on a year since it’s happened I’m not even thinking twice about that,” Brazile said. “I’m not thinking about the injury anymore."
Brazile’s performance against the Blue Devils affirmed his ranking as one of the best NBA Draft prospects when he scored 19 points and 11 rebounds. Musselman values rebounding and believes his star player made an effort to be better this season.
“I think so [better rebounder this year],”Musselman said.. I told him the other day, I think he’s capable of having like 20 every night. He had 11 tonight. That’s really good, but I think he should have more. His leaping ability, his hands, his timing. His stat line is awesome, but I think he’s got potential in his body to get more.”
The Springfield, Mo., native’s ability to stretch opposing defenses was put on display due to his three point shooting. At this point, Brazile is sinking a career high 44% of his three point attempts. He made 4-7 from deep against Duke and none were more important than the dagger he made from the left wing with 2:10 to go in the game, pushing Arkansas’ lead to 12.
Khalif Battle, the Temple transfer, has added a different dimension to the Razorbacks. His knack for making big shots and finish at the rim is a quality attribute for a Musselman guard.
“Any time you have explosive scorer, [Battle] is a really confident player and he saw a couple go through,” Musselman said. “If you look at the nation’s best free-throw attempt players and free-throw make players, he’s in the top 10 in the country and he’s got great range on the 3-ball. We wanted the ball in his hands. You look at Battle’s point total as well as his assists, pretty impressive numbers.”
The New Jersey native found himself in numerous double teams on Wednesday which gave him the opportunity to assist on several made baskets. He finished with 21 points (fourth time this season) and dished out five assists. Battle's offensive ability drew a comparison to another former Razorback who led his team to back-to-back Elite Eight's.
“[Battle] and JD [Notae] might be related,” Musselman said. "They are both just kind of out there balling. Some of his shots are like oh, no, then they go in and you’re like, great shot.”
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