NCAA analyst gives John Calipari’s team “benefit of doubt,” puts Arkansas behind Todd Golden’s national champions Florida
Jon Rothstein got real about his expectations for John Calipari's Arkansas squad next season. The CBS Sports analyst reflected on what the Razorbacks can accomplish in an Instagram video posted on Tuesday.
Rothstein discussed how returning stars from last season could help Calipari's team find success.
"When I'm looking at teams who are returning large portions of personnel, I always tend to give those teams the benefit of the doubt," Rothstein said. "I know we live in a day and age right now where everybody loves the portal adds ... but I'm looking at Arkansas now."
Rothstein reminisced on Arkansas' March Madness run last season.
"I'm looking at a team that had a lead comfortably over Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 before Texas Tech came back and went to the Elite Eight in overtime in San Francisco," Rothstein said. "I'm looking at Arkansas as being undervalued a bit in the SEC."
Rothstein pointed to the Razorbacks' promising returns for next season, including D.J. Wagner, Billy Richmond, Karter Knox and Trevon Brazile. The analyst highlighted that along with these returns, Calipari is adding two of the top 15 freshmen in the country in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.
Arkansas has also made use of the transfer portal to round out its roster, and Rothstein believes the Razorbacks have the making of a top team, just behind Todd Golden's Florida.
"I think Arkansas, without question, should enter next season in the discussion of being the second-best team in the SEC behind Florida," Rothstein said.
Read more: Video: John Calipari’s Arkansas commit Meleek Thomas impresses with skillful moves in practice
NCAA analyst discusses Arkansas’ chances of winning the SEC title
Jon Rothstein isn't the only analyst who spoke about Arkansas' expectations for next season. Jeff Goodman discussed John Calipari's team's chances of winning the SEC title next season in an episode of "The Field of 68: After Dark."
Goodman expressed excitement about the Razorbacks' roster for next season, particularly the addition of five-star recruit Darius Acuff Jr. However, Goodman argued that while Calipari has accumulated a lot of talent, he will need to determine how to utilize it early in order to find success in a competitive SEC.
“Now the question is how does it all mesh together with those guys as well?” Goodman asked. “As we saw with Cal last year, he couldn't figure that sh*t out early with who to play and how to play."
The Razorbacks have what it takes to thrive next season, but Calipari's squad will need to get off to a quick start to improve on last season.