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Nick Smith shares how he got back up to speed after injury

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•02/22/23
Nick Smith, Arkansas Razorbacks guard
Arkansas guard Nick Smith slaps hands with teammates during a break in the action in a game on Feb. 21, 2023. (Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)

Arkansas has rarely been at full strength this season, with a slew of injuries sidelining key players throughout the campaign. But superstar freshman Nick Smith is back and he’s looking more and more up to speed after his injury.

Smith exploded for 26 points on Tuesday night in a big win over Georgia.

“I had a couple weeks of practice,” Smith said on returning from the injury. “My guys pushed me when I came back to our first practice, getting my flow back and trying to just learn the new plays and stuff.”

Arkansas is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth and should be in relatively good shape to earn one at this point.

So getting Smith up to speed after his injury is all the more key; he’s the kind of difference-maker that can help pull you through a difficult NCAA Tournament game.

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He showed that ability against the Bulldogs.

But the talented 6-foot-5 guard from Jacksonville, Ark., credited his teammates and the coaching staff for bringing him along at the right speed.

“They did a good job with me of being patient with me and see what happens,” Smith said.

Arkansas sitting pretty in latest bracketology

The Razorbacks are moving up in the latest NCAA Tournament bracketology projection from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Lunardi currently has Arkansas slotted as a No. 9 seed in the West Region.

He has the Razorbacks facing off against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Des Moines in opening-round action. Should Arkansas advance past the first weekend of NCAA Tournament play, it would play regional round action in Las Vegas.