RAZORBACKS (cont.)

back to the drawing board and prepare for Vanderbilt,” Musselman said. “We definitely have to improve in a lot of areas.”

Could Notae return by Tuesday’s game?

“I have no idea whether he’ll be back for the game or not,” Musselman said.

“It’s out of my hands. I don’t know when he’ll be back. We’ll just have to take it day by day I guess.”

Musselman did not elaborate about Johnson’s suspension.

“I’m not going to comment [on Johnson],” Musselman said. “I know Mike (Cawood, Arkansas’ basketball sports information director) put out a release, and that’s where it is.”

Howland’s Bulldogs improved to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in the SEC and next play Missouri in next Wednesday’s SEC game at Columbia, Mo.

Smith led State’s scoring and was co-starred inside by 6-10 former North Carolina center Garrison Brooks ‘ game-leading 10 Bulldogs rebounds.

“I mean, 10 FTAs,” Musselman said of Smith’s 8 of 10 free throw attempts. “He establishes really good post position. He’s an excellent rebounder. He’s a phenomenal interior player.

I thought Mississippi State was really, really physical.” And big.

“Brooks is 6-10,” Musselman said. “He had 10 boards. You look at Tolu Smith’s four on the offensive glass. And then their backup center came in and had five offensive, rebounds. Javion Davis is one of the best offensive rebounding players per minute. Then for us on the interior, (power forwards) Trey Wade played 22 minutes and didn’t have a rebound. Stanley (Umude) only had two defensive rebounds.”

However Umude, only two points against Elon, scored a game high 19 points Saturday including 2 of 4 treys among 7 for 12 overall from the field.

“ I thought he was really good offensively and really has to improve at the other end as well,” Musselman said. “Baseline out of bounds defense, he has to become much better but certainly his 7 for 12 and knocking down 2 fo 4 from the 3-point line.”

Despite foul trouble limiting him to nine first-half minutes, Arkansas guard Devo Davis scored 15 points.

Four Bulldogs scored double figures led by Smith’s 18, guards Iverson Molinar, a junior 3-year letterman and Shakeel Moore, formerly of North Carolina State, 16 and 15 and transfer forward via Memphis DJ. Jeffries tallying 10.

““Obviously I am really happy and grateful for the win,” Howland said. “I thought Tolu’s minutes were spectacular when you consider he had only practiced about 10 times in the last four months. He was really good.”

Howland addressed Notae’s absence.

“In fairness to Arkansas, they did not have their best player,” Howland said.

“Notae was not available today. I hope it is not covid for his sake and their sake.

He is a spectacular player so we will probably see him when we return this game (Feb. 5 at Walton Arena) down in Fayetteville later this season.”