Three Arkansas Players Building Momentum Before Season Opener

Arkansas opens its season against UA-Pine Bluff in Fayetteville on November 3, with coach John Calipari weighing how quickly a young roster can come together. Eight Razorbacks are college newcomers, and Calipari has cautioned against predicting how the team will perform while saying he likes what he has seen so far.

Maker, a 7-foot-1 freshman, has earned Calipari’s confidence as an option at both power forward and center. Against Memphis, he recorded seven points, five rebounds and a steal in more than 21 minutes. His nearly 7-foot-7 wingspan helps him challenge shots and disrupt passes.

Thompson, 17, has averaged 12 points on 41% shooting since joining the college team in July. Calipari recruited him to help handle point guard duties, but wants him to pass and move rather than hold the ball and try to create every scoring chance. The coach called Thompson one of the team’s better scorers while noting he was a minus-17 against Memphis, which Arkansas won 93-81.

Bowser, a 6-foot-11 transfer from Furman, stood out in exhibition games against Gonzaga and Memphis. His rebounding, defense and physical play could give Arkansas a reliable presence near the basket, areas the team sometimes lacked last season. The Razorbacks had missed on several frontcourt prospects in the transfer portal, and assistant coach Kenny Payne worked with Bowser to prepare him for stronger competition.

Bowser will get early tests against teams including Virginia, Michigan State, Indiana, Arizona and North Carolina. His performance in SEC play will provide another measure of his progress.