Robinson delivers on chance

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas sophomore guard Jaxon Robinson had a nice game off the bench against Hofstra.

Robinson, a transfer from Texas A&M, was even better in his first start for the Razorbacks on Tuesday night against Elon, when he scored a career-high 14 points to help Arkansas win 81-55 at Walton Arena.

In Hofstra’s 89-81 victory over Arkansas last Saturday night at Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Jackson was a bright spot for the Razorbacks with nine points — which had been his career high — in seven minutes.

That performance helped earn Jackson earn a start Tuesday. He hit 3 of 6 threepointers against Elon after hitting 3 of 4 against Hofstra.

“Jaxson has been very confident the last two games,” Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman said. “Hopefully, he’s on the path to what some of our younger guys were last year where right around this time where they felt more comfortable with play sets and style of play.”

Robinson had nine points in the first half, including two three-pointers during Arkansas’ 17-0 run to end the half with a 40-32 lead.

“I thought Jaxson in the first half was off the charts great,” Musselman said. “I thought to start the second half, maybe some uncharacteristic plays for him early on.

“We sat him down, and I thought when he went back in for the second time in the second half, he did a really good job.

“With a younger player, there’s going to be a lot of growth even throughout a game as well as growth throughout the season.”

Robinson’s high as a freshman for the Aggies was six points, but he figures to be a key player for the Razorbacks, especially in boosting their three-point shooting.

“Man, Jaxson is a young sniper,” Arkansas junior forward Kamani Johnson said. “He’s the youngest guy on the team [19]. … So being here when you’re a younger guy around all the older guys, your confidence is a little lower sometimes if you’re not getting the playing time.

“But one thing about Jaxson Robinson, he can shoot the ball. Like, the skin off the ball. We’re going to need him to do that down the road and we’re all behind Jax.

“When it leaves his hands, you can trust that bench is up. We all feel like it’s going in. So as long as he keeps shooting that ball, trust me, we have confidence in that. So we’re going to keep on going to him.”