OK, so what’s next? Examining where this year’s Arkansas players may be next year

Arkansas’ weird, wild season is over. In some ways, it went about how it was expected. In others, not even close.

Injuries changed the the teams’ fortunes from basically the word go. Nick Smith Jr., the nation’s top recruit, played in just 17 games and never really hit his stride. Trevon Brazile didn’t make it double-digits as a torn ACL limited him to just nine games.

Arkansas fought from a 1-5 start in SEC play and a regular-season losing streak of three that saw the Hogs finish below .500 in league play. But a magical NCAA Tournament run saw Arkansas beat Illinois in the first round and No. 1 seed Kansas in the second before UConn brought things to a halt Thursday night, 88-65.

Eyes immediately go to the offseason, where Arkansas could see as many as five players drafted.

Could.

A more likely scenario is that two Arkansas players from this year’s roster are almost certainly gone, a third is likely leaning that way and a fourth is totally up in the air. The fifth? He should be back.

So who’s who? Let’s take a look at everyone on the Hogs roster next year – not including incoming freshmen Layden Blocker and Baye Fall – and where they stand heading into next year.

Cade Arbogast - guard

Mar 16, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Cade Arbogast (21) shoots the ball during practice before the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Arbogast came to Arkansas as a walk-on, but was put on scholarship by coach Eric Musselman during the 2021-22 season. He only plays minutes in late-game blowouts, but his practice presence is massive, per coach Eric Musselman. Arbogast will be a senior.

Odds of returning: 95%

Lawson Blake - forward

Mar 16, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Lawson Blake (45) shoots the ball during practice before the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Blake is also a walk-on. Think of him as the frontcourt version of Arbogast. A good player to have on a roster to help in game-planning and practice. He’ll be a junior.

Odds of returning: 95%

Barry Dunning Jr. - wing

Jan 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Barry Dunning Jr (12) gains position between Ole Miss Rebels forward Jaemyn Brakefield (4) and guard Amaree Abram (1) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 69-57. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas’ first question on this list lies with Dunning. The 6-foot-6 wing was the 100th-ranked player in the nation coming out of high school last year, but saw just 48 minutes for the Razorbacks this season. In the world of the transfer portal and NIL, Dunning fits the type to perhaps explore. We’re not saying he will, but it is possible. Either way, he’ll be a sophomore.

Odds of returning: 30%

Derrian Ford - guard

Nov 16, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Derrian Ford (23) dribbles during the second half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Ford is in a similar position to Dunning, though he’s a 6-foot-3 guard. He’s also an Arkansas native. That suggests perhaps a higher possibility of staying with the Razorbacks, but it’s far from a lock. Ford, who will be a sophomore, played 75 minutes as the 78th-ranked player coming out of high school.

Odds of returning: 45%

Joseph Pinion - guard

Jan 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Joseph Pinion (5) shoots a three point shot in the first half as Ole Miss Rebels guard Tye Fagan (14) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Pinion, another rising sophomore, played almost double minutes of Ford (this list is sorted by minutes per game) and had moments even during the regular season. He played double-digit minutes against North Carolina-Asheville, Missouri, Auburn and Ole Miss. With his 3-point shooting ability, it feels like there is a place in the rotation for him next year.

Odds of returning: 60%

Jalen Graham - forward

Mar 9, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jalen Graham (11) dunks against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Graham was a senior in 2022-23, but has a year of eligibility remaining. This was his first year with the Razorbacks after earning All-Pac 12 honors at Arizona State. He didn’t have that effect with the Razorbacks. He scored a career-high 26 against Florida and had five other games in which he scored double figures. Graham was also a defensive liability and mediocre rebounder which led to inconsistent minutes. An offseason of work may help. He should return, in theory.

Odds of returning: 51%

Kamani Johnson - forward

Mar 9, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Kamani Johnson (20) passes the ball as he is defended by Auburn Tigers guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson is the only player whose eligibility will be exhausted. Thanks to Best of Arkansas Sports’ Andrew Hutchinson for that tidbit. He was a rough-and-tumble interior player who could defend and rebound. The changing game – more focus on speed and the perimeter – limited his minutes, but he had a decent couple years with the Razorbacks after transferring from Little Rock.