Razorbacks Need More Than Ghosts From Starters After Kentucky Loss

Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin calls for Karter Knox and Nick Pringle to "get lost in the game" and focus on rebounding ahead of matchup with Mississippi State.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:23pm

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Arkansas Razorbacks wing Karter Knox and forward Nick Pringle combined for zero points and one rebound in the team's recent loss to Kentucky. Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin emphasized the need for the two starters to focus on the fundamentals like rebounding, defending, and playing hard, rather than forcing offense. The Razorbacks will face a tough rebounding test against Mississippi State, and Martin stressed the importance of the entire team crashing the boards.

Why it matters

Arkansas' struggles from two key starters highlight the team's need to improve its rebounding and defensive intensity as it enters the heart of the SEC schedule. The Razorbacks cannot afford quiet performances from Knox and Pringle if they want to compete with the conference's top teams.

The details

In the loss to Kentucky, Knox played 16 minutes and Pringle logged 13, but they combined for zero points and just one rebound. Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin said the two players need to "get lost in the game" and focus on the little things like rebounding, defending, and playing hard, rather than forcing offense. Knox is averaging 8.4 points per game this season, showing he has the ability to produce, but he has been inconsistent. Pringle has struggled to score consistently, reaching double figures just three times.

  • Arkansas lost to Kentucky 85-77 last weekend.

The players

Karter Knox

An Arkansas Razorbacks wing who is averaging 8.4 points per game this season but has been inconsistent, including a scoreless performance against Kentucky.

Nick Pringle

An Arkansas Razorbacks forward who has struggled to score consistently this season, reaching double figures just three times.

Chuck Martin

An Arkansas Razorbacks assistant coach and recruiting coordinator who emphasized the need for Knox and Pringle to focus on the fundamentals like rebounding and defending.

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What they’re saying

“For both of those guys, they just need to get lost in the game. Get lost in the game, play hard, defend, rebound, do the little things, the simple things, and then I think you will start to see the production that people are looking for on the offensive end.”

— Chuck Martin, Arkansas Razorbacks Assistant Coach

What’s next

The Razorbacks will travel to Starkville on Saturday to face Mississippi State, one of the better rebounding teams in the SEC. Arkansas will need a strong effort on the boards from the entire team to compete with the Bulldogs.

The takeaway

Arkansas' struggles from key starters Karter Knox and Nick Pringle highlight the team's need to focus on the fundamentals like rebounding and defending as it navigates the SEC schedule. The Razorbacks cannot afford quiet performances from their starters if they want to compete with the conference's top teams.