Hogs Tired of Getting Shoved Around by SEC Teams

But still don't "get it" when it comes to closing out wins in competitive SEC

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Jan 15, 2023 1:01 AM EST
Original:
Jan 15, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It became clear pretty quickly Saturday that Arkansas was tired of getting pushed around.

Unfortunately, it also showed they still haven't figured out that standing their ground in physical play doesn't automatically lead to a win.

That's the bottom line to the Razorbacks blowing a double-digit lead in the second half and losing to Vanderbilt, 97-84.

"We have a lot of guys that don’t understand how hard it is to win in this league," Hogs coach Eric Musselman said later. "Sometimes there’s a learning experience. So right now it’s hard to win in the conference. It’s something new to a lot of guys."

Ricky Council-Vanderbilt — Arkansas Razorbacks guard Ricky Council IV (1) reacts after a play during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gymnasium. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TODAY Sports)

That early chippy play got a Commodores player thrown out of the game while causing Vandy coach Jerry Stackhouse to blow a gasket, resulting in a technical of his own.

The Hogs' Anthony Black was right in the middle of it all, and for a team that was getting pushed around and intimidated by SEC teams, they were through with all of that.

Some people don't care for that part of today's game where players knock opponents to the floor while dunking on them before talking trash and laughing in their face, but it's not a big deal if a player can back it up. If you can do it, go for it, but you better be ready if the other guy busts you in the mouth.

Spare me the blather about just helping your opponent off the floor and all of that. If a player wants to do that, fine and dandy.

Teams have to be physically and mentally tough. There is a reason they keep score and the goal is to win games.

This team hasn't figured out that's ultimately more important to Razorback fans, not piling up highlights for NBA scouts. Ask the folks in Kentucky if they would give up all those high draft choices for more championship trophies.

Anthony Black-Jordan Walsh-Vanderbilt — Jan 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jordan Wright (4) battles with Arkansas Razorbacks guard Jordan Walsh (13) and guard Anthony Black (0) for a rebound during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TODAY Sports)

So much was expected of this team. The talent on this roster has plenty of highlight tape, but they haven't figured out how to translate that to wins.

It's probably driving Musselman crazy. He may be living in the pool house by now.

"We shot the ball much better than we have, especially from three," he said after this one. "Then we didn’t play with defensive intensity at all. To have a team go 18-26 in the second half from the field, you know there’s a lot of firsts that I’m experiencing as well."

All those highlights are on the offensive end, but what wins games at the college level is defense. In the second half against Vandy, the defense fell apart.

"We’ve really been a good defensive team in the time that I have been at Arkansas, and we gave up 97 points, 63 in the second half," Musselman said. "We know our deficiencies shooting the ball and now we’re not defending. We gave up a lot of straight-line dribble drives. We gave up 36 free throws attempted."

It's probably not going to be a pleasant week for fans, coaches, or even the players.

"This is a struggling, young ball club," Musselman said. "It lacks confidence right now."

He knows they have to get wins.

It's probably a good bet the players know exactly how he plans to get them soon.