Starting unit may get a shuffle today

FAYETTEVILLE — Three SEC games ago it would seem unthinkable for Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman to bench Desi Sills.

And not just because junior guard Sills led Arkansas with a game high 23 points plus contributed six rebounds and two steals and two assists in the then 9-0 Razorbacks’ 97-85 SEC season-opening victory at Auburn.

One of only two active links remaining from former Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson’s final 20182019 Razorbacks team, Sills gave his all last 20-12 season to new Arkansas Coach Musselman.

With 6-6 since graduated Adrio Bailey the tallest regular starter, 6-1 guard Sills fearlessly attacked inside like a power forward. He took charges, fought through a 3-point shooting slump and consistently brought energy whether as sixthman or late season starter.

In an age of one and dones, two and throughs and grad transfers, none we stress who should be begrudged seeking to improve their situations, there remains something admirable about the old school throwback sticking true to his school.

Especially at an Arkansas. Jonesboro native Sills epitomizes the instater craving to be a Hog.

But after successive SEC losses last Saturday at home to Missouri and last Wednesday at Tennessee leading into today’s SEC game vs. Georgia at Walton Arena, Musselman, on Wednesday’s postgame radio said, “There will be another change in the starting line up when we get ready for Georgia.”

Media speculation Sills might be replaced manifested. He shot 1 for 10 in the 81-68 loss against Mizzou but did contribute 4 of 6 free throws, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers in 37 minutes.

Nothing doing but two rebounds against Tennessee.

Totaling just 18 minutes Sills took but one shot and missed. He was charged with three turnovers, two on consecutive possessions, in a 79-74 loss.

Noting some absences from Thursday’s practice he didn’t specify, Musselman didn’t speculate Friday on Sills or anybody definitely starting or not starting against Georgia today.

He did on Desi hearken back to last year when Sills intrepidly fought through his early season 3-point shooting slump by excelling in other areas.

“With Desi it’s confidence,” Musselman said. “If he’s not knocking down the shot, it’s get the steal, come up with an energy play. If you don’t get a shot after two or three trips up the floor you’ve got to go create something on your own. If it’s a steal or a defensive rebound or you bust on the wing really hard and get an open layup in transition.”

That’s the Desi Arkansas knows and expects to see again whether starting or surging sixth man.

So do his teammates. “You’ve just got to find a way to continue to put your stamp on the game,” senior point guard Jalen Tate said. “I think Desi’s more than capable of doing that and I expect him to. He’s a guy who’s all about the team. He’ll play his butt off every single minute that he’s out there.”