Arkansas coach Eric Musselman hardly ever, if ever, wears a hat in a pre- or post-game press convention. He did Tuesday night time.
The Razorbacks’ fourth-year coach sat down donning a grey cap with “Important High quality” throughout the entrance in blue lettering. It’s the identify of the racehorse that received the 2021 Belmont Stakes, and a few of Arkansas’ teaching workers visited the farm the place he lives.
These two phrases would additionally describe the Razorbacks’ 88-73 victory over Kentucky in Rupp Area.
“We’re taking part in actually good basketball on the proper time,” Musselman mentioned. “I feel we’re a crew that continues to enhance. I’ve seen some nice development defensively the final two video games. (We bought) some essential stops at essential moments within the recreation.
“Simply actually, actually happy with how the crew has continued to evolve and continued to enhance.”
With the win — Arkansas’ largest in 31 years over the Wildcats in Lexington, Ky. — the Razorbacks are 17-7 total and above .500 in SEC play at 6-5. They’ve received 5 consecutive video games within the league forward of a matchup with Mississippi State on Saturday in Fayetteville.
Extra from WholeHogSports: Razorbacks whip Wildcats for second straight SEC highway win
Arkansas obtained big-time performances from each participant who noticed important time. Switch wing Ricky Council led the best way with 20 factors, Anthony Black added 19 as a part of a well-rounded night time, and Davonte Davis and Makhel Mitchell pitched in 15 factors apiece.
Freshman wing Jordan Walsh contributed 13 key factors off the bench in 22 minutes.
On an evening stuffed with large nights, Makhi and Makhel Mitchell have been as spectacular as a tandem as at any level this season. And Tuesday marked one week since they mixed for 15 factors, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks in opposition to Texas A&M.
Collectively, the twins held Kentucky ahead Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning nationwide participant of the yr, to 7 factors on 3 of 6 from the ground, and seven rebounds.
The six subject purpose makes an attempt have been tied for his second fewest in a recreation this season. The seven rebounds have been his fewest in a month and about half his season common.
Makhi Mitchell led Arkansas with 9 rebounds, and Makhel Mitchell paired 5 blocks along with his most factors in almost a yr. Tshiebwe didn’t rating on the rim till the ten:27 mark of the second half.
His different two scores have been lengthy two-point jumpers within the first half.
“We felt that Makhi and Makhel could be matchups (and) that they might physique and meet-and-greet and form of attempt to meet him on the foul line so he couldn’t set up nice publish place,” Musselman mentioned. “After which I assumed we did an superior job of digging within the publish when he did catch it and form of taking part in a little bit of a yo-yo protection the place guys are out and in.”
Makhel Mitchell, in accordance with KenPom knowledge, now owns a block price in league play of 12.4%. StatBroadcast exhibits that his block share in opposition to the Wildcats was 16.4%, and that Arkansas outscored Kentucky by 20 factors with him on the ground.
The Razorbacks’ beginning backcourt stuffed the stat sheet and keyed the crew’s greatest offensive recreation efficiency-wise in SEC play (126.7 offensive score). Davis recorded a season-high 7 assists and Council added 4 dimes on an evening through which he was a stable 5-of-9 capturing and eight of 10 on the line.
Black was spectacular apart from six turnovers. However he greater than made up for them along with his greatest scoring recreation in a month and 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block and 5 steals.
The freshman guard, who in his post-game interview sounded as if he had a head chilly, has battled a knee contusion in current video games. He toughed it out once more Tuesday and turned in a particular efficiency in a storied venue.
Extra from WholeHogSports: Musselman, Davis, Black talk about rout of Kentucky in Rupp Area
His back-to-back steals and break-away dunks early within the second half set the tone for the rest of the sport. He’s the second Arkansas participant with at the very least 19 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals in a recreation because the 2010-11 season (JD Notae).
“Anthony’s toughness is unimaginable,” Musselman mentioned. “He blew his shoe out at one time. He’s bought three or 4 issues which might be form of bothering him.”
Arkansas’ beginning guards — Black, Davis and Council — mixed for 16 of Arkansas’ 19 assists, that are a excessive in SEC video games. They have been the catalysts within the Razorbacks tying this system document for subject purpose share in an SEC contest (62.7%).
They made 18 of 25 subject purpose makes an attempt within the second half and completed 28 of 42 on two-point makes an attempt.
“I feel we’re getting higher offensively,” Musselman added. “I do know there’s been instances after we’ve actually struggled and there’ll in all probability be different instances this yr after we actually battle, however I do see enchancment offensively. I assumed it was our greatest ball motion of the season, to be sincere with you.
“We did a extremely good job of spacing the ground.”
Arkansas additionally did a fantastic job producing pleasure and anticipation for Saturday’s house recreation in opposition to Mississippi State, which has received three in a row, together with a victory over TCU.
The Razorbacks are taking part in a few of their greatest basketball once more in February. It’s what we have now come to count on from a Musselman-coached Arkansas crew.
