FAYETTEVILLE — Through the first month of the season, Mike Anderson’s young team is performing above expectations on the defensive end of the floor.
While the Razorbacks had an understandably average first five games offensively as each of the nine new faces jell and learn one another’s tendencies, their defense has been a big plus and a key factor in a 4-1 start. Anderson hoped for a defensive-minded team in the preseason, and so far he's got one.
Arkansas’ defense in five games allowed just .84 points per possession in November, good for the best first month of the season in terms of defensive efficiency dating back to the beginning of 2013-14 – Anderson’s third season.