Meleek Thomas excited to see packed out Bud Walton against Louisville
Subscribe to HawgBeat for half of the annual price through our Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal. Get the latest coaching carousel updates, transfer portal intel, signing day scoops, access to The Trough premium message board, plus a full year’s subscription to The Athletic for just $59.99 ($4.99 per month).
Wednesday’s matchup between Arkansas and Louisville is the first marquee matchup inside Bud Walton Arena this season.
The crowds inside the Basketball Palace of Mid-America have been somewhat sparse this season. Whether it’s the reseating issue that has upset fans, the perceived quality of opponent the Hogs have played, tipoff times or whatever other reason, Bud Walton Arena hasn’t gotten to its capacity.
Hopefully, that will change. Louisville is the No. 6 team in the country heading into the matchup. Freshman guard Meleek Thomas said he’s excited to see the environment.
”This is going to be my first time ever seeing it packed out like it’s going to be,” Thomas said Tuesday. “I kind of like that a little bit more just because I don’t know what to expect. I just know that I’m going to have to play my game and do what I’m supposed to do. But just to feel the crowd and feel the energy, it’s going to be special. I didn’t get to visit a game during basketball season, only during football, so I’m excited for it for sure.”
If it does end up a white-out, it’ll be the second time an ACC team has come into Bud Walton to a sea of white. The Hogs took down Duke two seasons ago, which prompted a court-storming.
Thomas said he hopes that same kind of energy will be in the building on Wednesday.
”Bringing big teams home, I’m excited for another top team to come to Bud for us to play,” Thomas said. “I know my guys are also excited and we really just want to win games. So I think me and my teammates’ minds are all on — just focus on putting everything together piece by piece, just to win games.
“We really need that Bud energy. That’s the last thing I was going to say. Really need that Bud energy.”
Pat Kelsey has one of the best guards in the country in Mikel Brown Jr., who Thomas knows from his days on the AAU circuit. He’s averaging 17 points and six assists per game and is shooting 40.2% from the field.
”I’ve had a few run-ins with Mikel,” Thomas said. “USA camps, Chris Brickley events, just like little different events throughout both of our journeys. And he’s a very good player, very versatile. He can mix it up, shoot, drive like, just do a lot of things that allow his game to just grow and grow.
“So, I give a lot of credit to Mikel on his work that he’s put in, and I don’t really know anything about the game plan. You said something about him being difficult to guard, but I haven’t seen him in a real, live setting, so this is my first time, and excited to play him.”
Thomas and the Razorbacks will tip off against Louisville on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT from Bud Walton Arena. The game will air on ESPN.
Subscribe to HawgBeat for half of the annual price through our Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal. Get the latest coaching carousel updates, transfer portal intel, signing day scoops, access to The Trough premium message board, plus a full year’s subscription to The Athletic for just $59.99 ($4.99 per month).
