Arkansas faced off against Auburn on Wednesday, February 19th. Despite putting up a strong fight against the nation’s top-ranked team, Arkansas fell short, losing 67-60. I tuned in to focus on Adou Thiero—let’s break down his performance.

Thiero started the game with high energy, contesting shots well on defense and even knocking down a corner three. While he’s not known as a great shooter, he also hit a turnaround fadeaway in the mid-range. His athleticism was on full display with an acrobatic scoop layup through contact—easily his most impressive play of the first half. He also came up with a steal and frequently attacked the paint, creating open looks for his teammates.

In the second half, Thiero maintained his consistency. He continued showcasing his athleticism with an alley-oop slam and another tough layup through contact. Defensively, he took on multiple assignments, guarding different positions from Johni Broome to Tahaad Pettiford. His playmaking remained a factor, but Arkansas ultimately couldn’t overcome Auburn’s firepower.

Overall, for Thiero to make an impact at the next level, he’ll need to be an energy guy. His shooting must improve significantly if he wants to be a real offensive threat. Auburn’s defenders often sagged off him, anticipating drives, which led to tough shot attempts. While his active hands and versatility on defense were noticeable, there’s still room for growth on that end. At the very least, he needs to develop a reliable mid-range jumper to make his offensive game more effective. He also shot 3-of-6 from the free-throw line—an area that needs improvement, especially since his aggressive driving style will put him at the line frequently.