I want a killer mentality

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, January 14, 2026

When a basketball team sees five new players coming into the game, especially late in the game, the team not substituting usually expects to win or be further behind.

That was the case for the Razorbacks on Wednesday night.

With more than seven minutes left against Mississippi, Arkansas was leading the Rebels by 16 points.

Things were looking great.

Then the subs for Ole Miss were much better than the starters. One player from Australia put on a show for the Rebels. He made three or four quality shots that were very difficult. I am so thankful that a couple of the subs thought that they were quality players. They were not and took some very bad shots. 

Because of those bad shots, the Rebels could not get closer that four points.

Arkansas won by seven, but it gives me some concerns.

I want a team with a killer instinct. A real killer instinct all of the time.

I am tired of players that think they can shoot the basketball any time they have it. Players will throw up a shot with no conscience. They should have a conscience because they are hurting their team and I am sure that is only my wrong opinion and it is not the parent’s thoughts. I know it is the other parent’s opinion. It isn’t hard to score 10 points when a player shoots 15 times. A blind pig event finds a acorn.

I can fondly remember the olden days when it was about a team and not individuals. I remember when the brand was not the player, but the team. I miss that. I enjoyed watching a group of individuals come together to create a team.

I may be old, but I am sure that a lot of people younger than me also miss this.

Jeff Brasel is the sports and managing editor and general manager of the Newton County Times. E-mail him at sports@newtoncountytimes.com or follow him at X.com/jeffbrasel.