Friday, Apr. 23, 2021

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
    • View Sponsors
    • Weekly Deals
  • Contact
Daily COVID-19 reports

Fayetteville Flyer

  • Home
  • Local News
    • All News
    • Restaurant News
    • Trail News
    • Beer News
    • City Council Recaps
  • Arts & Events
  • Columns & Features
    • Trail Tours
    • Giveaways
    • Movie Reviews
    • Music Reviews
    • Theatre Reviews
    • Recipes
  • Sports
  • Sections
    • Local News
    • Restaurant News
    • Beer News
    • Arts & Events
    • Columns & Features
    • Sports
  • Calendar
  • Public Meetings
  • Movie Listings
    • Fiesta Square
    • Razorback Cinema
  • Weekly Deals
  • Homes for Sale
    • Fayetteville Homes
    • All NWA Homes
    • Find an Agent

Aggies on Hogs’ menu before turning attention to SEC Tournament

  • By Terry J. Wood ·  
    March 5, 2021 

Arkansas senior forward Justin Smith and junior guard Desi Sills / Photo: ArkansasRazorbacks.com

Better late than never is the motto for the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks’ final regular-season game at 4 p.m. Saturday when the Texas A&M Aggies visit Walton Arena.

Both of the Hogs’ regularly scheduled games with the Aggies on Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 were postponed due to Covid-19 issues within the A&M program, but only one will be made up since the SEC Tournament begins Wednesday in Nashville.

In all, the Aggies (8-8, 2-7 SEC) postponed nine games this season, including the entire month of February, before stepping back on the floor Wednesday for a 63-57 home loss to Mississippi State.

Next up for the Razorbacks

Opponent: vs. Texas A&M
When: 4 p.m. Saturday, March 6
Where: Fayetteville
TV: SEC Network
Current Record: 20-5

Remaining games

March 10-14 SEC Tournament
March 18-21 NCAA Tournament

In contrast, the Razorbacks have had relatively few problems with Covid-19 outside of the A&M postponements. The Hogs’ game with Tulsa was canceled in December because of Covid issues within the Golden Hurricane’s program.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman did say that freshman forward Jaylin Williams will be out for Saturday’s game. Musselman did not comment on rumors that Williams, who also missed Tuesday’s game at South Carolina, is ill with the coronavirus.

Saturday’s game might seem a bit anticlimactic with the Razorbacks (20-5, 12-4 SEC) having already locked up the second seed in next week’s SEC Tournament, thanks to their 10-game SEC winning streak. The Razorbacks also went ahead and had their senior-night celebration following last Saturday’s 83-75 victory over LSU, which was their last regularly scheduled home game, as planned.

While the party was held last week, this will not only be the final home game for grad-transfers Justin Smith, Jalen Tate, and Vance Jackson Jr., but it will likely be the last home game for freshman Moses Moody, whom prognosticators are projecting as a lottery pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.

While there is a ton of basketball still to be played for this Razorback team, it is a little bit sad that Hog fans will be saying goodbye to the in-state play of those four players so soon.

We hardly got to know these guys, but it has been a pleasure to watch them and their teammates develop and grow into a very fine basketball team that still has a lot of business to take care of in tournament play.

But first things, first. The Hogs need to take care of the Aggies.

It would be a shame for the Razorbacks to slip up Saturday and let Texas A&M steal a victory.

No doubt Musselman is endeavoring to keep the Hogs’ minds on the moment, preaching to the Razorbacks that they need to “starve the distractions” as they seek to improve.

The Hogs have done an excellent job of doing that over the last month. After being clubbed 92-76 by LSU on Jan. 13 and then defeated 90-59 by Alabama on Jan. 16 to fall to 2-4 in SEC play, I was getting concerned about Arkansas’ chances of making the NIT much less the NCAA Tournament.

However, Musselman and his Hogs turned this season around and made an NCAA Tourney bid an election sure. Now, fans are talking about the Razorbacks possibly making a return to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996.

Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman is one of 10 semifinalists for the 2021 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year.

Photo: ArkansasRazorbacks.com

Either as a fan or as a reporter, I’ve paid close attention to Razorback basketball since 1976, and I do not believe I can remember a team improving as much within a season as these Hogs have since January.

That’s a testament to the work of the players and the coaches, who have turned this season from misery to a delight for Arkansas fans.

There was never any doubt that this team was talented, but now the Razorbacks are playing better together than we’ve seen in a long while.

Mike Anderson’s 2015 squad with Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls was good, but they were unable to put together a run like these Hogs have over the last month and change.

I think you have to reach back to the 1998 and 1999 teams that featured Kareem Reid, Pat Bradley, Nick Davis (1998), Derek Hood to find a team as good and gritty as this one. This team might end up better than either of those two.

What I’ve enjoyed most this season is watching the leadership of Smith and Tate bond this team of transfers, grad-transfers, and freshmen together. They aren’t the only leaders on the squad, but it’s been great to see them take on those roles with only one year in the program.

The best basketball teams always have another gear to shift into for tournament time. I’m hoping this Hog team has it.

But, there I go hitching the cart before the horse. I can afford to look ahead, but the Hogs need to take care of the Aggies before turning their attention to March Madness.

 

Discussion

Fayetteville Flyer has specific guidelines for commenting. To avoid having your comment deleted -- or your commenting privileges revoked -- read our Comment Policy before you comment. Violators will be banned from commenting. Report a comment that violates the guidelines to contact@fayettevilleflyer.com. Commenters on the Flyer are responsible for all legal consequences arising from their comments, including libel, infringement of copyright or actions that threaten a third party. By submitting a comment, you agree to indemnify Wonderstate Media LLC, its partners and employees from any legal action arising from your comments.

  • @fayflyer
  •     » See all sponsor deals & specials
  • Advertisements

  • Get Email News Updates

    Welcome to the Flyer!

    Whether looking for a recap of a City Council meeting or to see who is playing in town for happy hour, residents turn to the Fayetteville Flyer to find out what’s going on in and around Fayetteville.

    Never miss a story. Our newsletter has headlines for all the Flyer’s stories.

  • Advertisements


     

  • Local Info

    Deals & More
    Fire/Police Dispatch Logs
    Detention Intake Report
  • Sponsors

    » See all

  • ADVERTISEMENTS

  • Flyer Sponsors

    sponsor-logos
    » See all sponsors
  • Sponsor Tweets

    A Twitter List by fayflyer
  • Become a sponsor

    The Flyer focuses on free news that's specific to Fayetteville. Because of that, our readers are local, and they're loyal to the businesses that support their daily source of information.

    Let us help your company deliver its message to our ever-growing audience.

    To talk about becoming a sponsor, call 479-387-1002 or email us.

  • About
  • Legal
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram Flickr Pinterest RSS

© 2007-2020 Wonderstate Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy