FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forward Marvell Waithe knew a breakthrough was coming for teammate Hunter Mickelson.
Two days before Arkansas played Michigan, the senior insisted the freshman was fine. Sure, he had been struggling to score in games. But Waithe said his offensive skills were evident during closed practices.
“He has a lot of things he hasn’t shown you guys yet,” Waithe said. “So I think he’s going to be OK.”
Mickelson made Waithe look like a genius last Saturday, coming off the bench to score 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting in Arkansas’ 66-64 win against the Wolverines.
The Jonesboro native knocked down his first bucket on a turnaround jumper that rolled in during the first half. He scored Arkansas’ last field goal on a well-timed pick-and-roll with point guard B.J. Young, too, helping the Razorbacks remain unbeaten at home this season.
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“Sometimes when you make that first shot, man, you get confidence,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “I thought that relaxed Hunter. He looked more relaxed than anything else in the game against Michigan. Hopefully we’ll see much more of that Hunter Mickelson.”
Mickelson enters tonight’s game averaging 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. He’s also ranked No. 20 in the nation in blocked shots (2.6), collecting at least one in each of Arkansas’ 19 games this season.
Waithe is doubtful for tonight’s game because of a calf injury, meaning Mickelson will have more responsibilities in a frontcourt down to three healthy forwards (Michael Sanchez and Devonta Abron are the others) and a roster with eight scholarship players.
Auburn (12-7) at
Arkansas (14-5)
• When: 8 tonight
• Where: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville
• Radio: KABZ-FM 103.7
• SEC records: Auburn 2-3; Arkansas 2-2
• Series: Arkansas leads 26-16; last meeting Arkansas 57, Auburn 55 on Feb. 26