PORTLAND, Ore. — Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile is emerging as a key player for the Razorbacks as they navigate the opening rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, according to observations from team practices and early game analysis.
The No. 4 seeded Razorbacks (26-8) faced the No. 13 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (24-8) on Thursday, March 19, in Portland, with Hawaii posing a particular challenge in the frontcourt. Arkansas head coach John Calipari acknowledged the Rainbow Warriors’ size and shooting ability, stating, “They can shoot it. So now you’ve got bigs that can shoot the ball, that are long, that are 7-foot tall.”
Brazile, along with teammates Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin, comprise the entirety of Arkansas’s frontcourt rotation. The team is relying heavily on this trio, particularly as they contend with Hawaii’s Isaac Johnson, the Big West Player of the Year, who averages 14.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 50.3% from the field. Hawaii forwards Harry Rouhliadeff, Gytis Nemeiksa and Isaac Finlinson add further complexity to the matchup, combining for nearly 30 points and 14 rebounds per game.
“They’ve got some stretch-bigs. Some bigs that can really play and that are really skilled,” Brazile said, recognizing the multifaceted threat posed by the Hawaii front line. “No game in the tournament is going to be easy, and Here’s no exception.”
During Arkansas’s open practice on Wednesday, Pringle did not participate, raising questions about his availability and potentially increasing the reliance on Brazile and Ewin. Malique Ewin demonstrated strong performance in the early stages of the tournament, contributing 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Brazile’s journey to this point has been marked by challenges since his transfer to Arkansas three years ago, experiences he acknowledges have shaped his current approach. “So a lot to me,” Brazile said. “I feel like throughout the season I’ve had some up and down moments, but it all worked out in the end and I’m just happy to be here with my team and proud of these guys for the way they fight.”
The Razorbacks’ advancement through March Madness hinges, in part, on Brazile’s continued performance, particularly as the team’s rotation potentially expands. Arkansas defeated St. John’s in a previous tournament game, positioning them for a Sweet 16 appearance.
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