Williams' Numbers Don't Show How Big He Was in Win Over UCA

Comes close to double-double again in 97-60 win, but winning more important than stats

Andy Hodges | Dec 2, 2021

One of these games, Arkansas' Jaylin Williams is going to hit double figures in points and rebounds.

Against UCA on Wednesday night, he came within one simple basket of getting that elusive double-double for the sixth time in his career.

None of it really matters to him.

Jaylin Williams-UCA — Hogs' Jaylin Williams takes a charge in the lane against UCA's Camren Hunter :: Brett Rojo/USA TODAY Images

Winning the game did matter.

"Jaylin just does what he has to do to win," Eric Musselman said after a 97-60 win over the Bears. "He's a winning player."

Williams had eight points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots. They should keep a stat line on how many times he was on the floor chasing loose balls.

"It seems like he's just oblivious to his stat line," Musselman said. "He's just doing whatever helps Arkansas. That's how he plays and it's so evident to friends or people that are in the industry that watch him."

He probably knows. It's just not that big of a deal to him.

After the game, Williams didn't say a single word about the stats.

His first comment was about the team's chaotic first half where the Razorbacks couldn't find a way to put much distance on UCA.

The Hogs led 41-35 as they shot just 8-of-20 from the free-throw line (40%), which was the most glaring problem.

"We came into halftime knowing we didn't play our best basketball," Williams said later.

Musselman would just like to have an entire team playing like Williams.

"He's a winning player," Musselman said. "If everybody did that we would not have halves like we did in the first half."

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the allHOGS message board community today!

Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook.

Published Dec 2, 2021

ANDY HODGES

Sports columnist, writer, former radio host and television host who has been expressing an opinion on sports in the media for over four decades. He has been at numerous media stops in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.