Eric Musselman explains how Arkansas can slow down Duke

Arkansas worked defensive magic against Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 to punch its ticket to another NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The Razorbacks might need a repeat performance against Duke on Saturday, though, and Eric Musselman knows what his team’s up against.

During an interview on College GameDay, the crew talked about what Arkansas needs to do to slow Duke down. Do the Razorbacks take away the three-point line or take away the paint? Musselman said they can’t take away just one of those things.

“We’ve got to do both,” Musselman said. “That’s the key is can we take away some of their three-point shots, as well? Try to protect the paint and not give up easy two-point shots. I think we’re going to have to do both from a defensive standpoint.”

One player who could give Arkansas headaches is Jeremy Roach after his showing against Texas Tech. He had 15 points, four rebounds and five assists against the Red Raiders, but showcased his ability to cut through the defense to make big plays.

Stopping him, Musselman said, is going to be essential. But Duke also has a strong transition offense — just like Gonzaga did against Arkansas in the Sweet 16.

“Roach has such great ability to get in the paint, to get into the teeth of the defense,” Musselman said. “He’s a late-game shotmaker. But the Duke guards present a lot of problems. Other than Roach, they’re very, very good offensive rebounders, as well. So defensive block-outs at the guard spot becomes paramount. Trying to eliminate transition baskets.

“Looking at Gonzaga, we felt they were one of the top two or three transition offenses in all of college basketball. Certainly playing Duke, it’s the same thing. If you don’t have great, committed transition defense, you give yourself no chance to win a basketball game. So we’re going to have to get back in transition probably even better than we did against Gonzaga.”

The Elite Eight matchup between Arkansas and Duke tips off at 8:49 p.m. ET on TBS.