Kamani Johnson shares how Arkansas turned momentum around before NCAA Tournament

After making the Elite Eight two seasons in a row, Arkansas entered the 2022-23 season with incredibly high expectations. However, the Razorbacks had an up-and-down year and made the NCAA Tournament as an eight-seed. Still, as forward Kamani Johnson explained, Arkansas snagged momentum.

It started with forgetting what had happened and moving forward.

“I mean, my mom always told me, you’re only as good as your last game,” Kamani Johnson said. “So I have short-term memory loss when it comes to losing games or winning games. And you always gotta put on your best performance when you step on the court.”

As Kamani Johnson continued to explain, every game is a new opportunity. In March, you have to take advantage of those opportunities.

“So every new game is a new 40 minutes to grow and be better. And I think that’s kind of been the difference, just not holding your head on the past and especially in March because every game could be your last game,” Johnson said.

Kamani Johnson has been an important contributor for Arkansas throughout the season. A solid defensive player, Johnson has played in 26 games and is averaging 2.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game.

“So I think our team has done a good job of preparing and treating every game like it’s our championship game.”

Arkansas is set to take on a talented UConn team in the Sweet Sixteen. The winner of that game will move on to play the winner of the Gonzaga–UCLA game. So, it’s not an easy path forward for Arkansas but it is one that the Razorbacks have built momentum for.

Dan Hurley praised Nick Smith

Ahead of their matchup in the Sweet Sixteen, UConn head coach Dan Hurley praised Arkansas star, Nick Smith, calling him “electrifying.”

“He’s really an electrifying player to watch, just in terms of his abilities with the ball, just how twitchy he is with the ball. Obviously his size, his length. I saw him a bunch in high school so we know what he’s capable in terms of the 3-point shooting and perimeter shooting,” Hurley said.

“We’re obviously preparing for him like we’ve got to guard one of the best scoring guards in the country.”

Nick Smith has dealt with an injury this season, though he’s been fantastic when healthy. He is averaging 12.6 points and 1.8 assists per game, and Eric Musselman knows that the Razorbacks need him on offense against UConn.