Karter Knox has been a key contributor for the Arkansas Razorbacks over the past two seasons, impacting both offense and defense as a starting wing under coach John Calipari. The 6-foot-6 forward from Tampa played a crucial part in last season’s Sweet Sixteen run, averaging 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in Arkansas’ final two NCAA Tournament games against St. John’s and Texas Tech.
Knee Injury Sidelines Karter Knox
Knox may not return this season after having surgery on his left meniscus on Feb. 18. The team announced that there is no set timetable for his comeback. Recent reports indicate he can walk without crutches during rehab. Although he limps, Knox might be ready for the first-round game against Hawaii on March 19.
This season, Knox played through turf toe and a hip injury but missed games due to a knee injury at Mississippi State and LSU. He returned on Feb. 14 against Auburn but left after six minutes, re-aggravating the knee late in the second half.
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Knox has started 18 of 22 games, averaging 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 22.2 minutes per game. He shoots 46% from the field, 37.7% from 3, and 72.7% from the line. He scored a season-high 20 points, six rebounds, an assist, two steals, and two blocks in the 93-86 win over Texas Tech.
With Knox out, Calipari assigned the starting spot to Billy Richmond III and limited the rotation to seven key players, including Richmond, Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, and Trevon Brazile.
While Acuff leads the team’s offense with 22.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 6.5 apg, and Thomas provides additional scoring with 15.6 ppg on 43% shooting, Richmond has become the X-factor since he was put into the starting forward role.
Since Feb. 18, the Memphis, Tennessee, native has tallied 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. His efforts were hailed by Razorbacks assistant coach Kenny Payne, who said Richmond has stepped up and played well when given the chance to start.
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Since Knox’s surgery, Arkansas has won seven of nine games, including five straight, and has dominated the final regular season and SEC Tournament games. Building on this momentum, the streak earned Arkansas (26-8) the No. 4 seed in the West Regional, where they will face No. 13 Hawaii (24-8). Tip-off is at 4:25 p.m. ET on March 19 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Calipari’s team averages 89.9 points while allowing 80.1. They shoot 50% and are 10-3 against non-conference opponents, giving the team an advantage. Hawaii is 8-2 against non-conference opponents and 16-6 in the Big West. They average 79.6 points, shoot 45.9%, and allow opponents to shoot 41.1% from the field.
The winner of the Arkansas-Hawaii matchup will face the winner of the Wisconsin-High Point matchup in the second round.
