Pat Bradley explains why Eric Musselman belongs in conversation for best coach in the country
In his third season at Arkansas, Eric Musselman has the Razorbacks 1 win from returning to the Final Four for the first time since 1995. Musselman’s turnover of the Arkansas program has been celebrated by Hog Nation. Former Arkansas great Pat Bradley recently laid out why Musselman belongs in the conversation for best college basketball coach in the country.
“Eric Musselman is, if not the best coach in the country, he should be in every single conversation because he’s doing it on all levels of coaching,” Bradley said during a Sirius XM appearance. “Coaching is about the development of players. You look at JD Notae, a transfer from Jacksonville University. You see where JD Notae is now, contending for SEC Player of the Year. Thirteen All-Americans so, developing players, yes. Being able to navigate through the transfer portal. Yes, Coach Musselman is able to bring (in), essentially, 1-year guys. Last year Jalen Tate, Justin Smith, Moses Moody, were 1-and-done guys … brings them together on the same page. This year, with (Stanley) Umude, Chris Lykes and Au’Diese Toney – those are transfers, he mingles them in. He has that ability, too. The other thing, too, he’s got a top-2 or 3 (high school) recruiting class coming in next year. He’s got like 2 McDonald’s All-Americans coming in. So he’s shown he can recruit high school players and can also make in-game adjustments. That’s why I’m saying Coach Muss checks all the boxes.”
Bradley and Hogs everywhere will be watching Saturday night at 8:49 p.m. ET to see if Musselman’s squad can take down Duke in the Elite 8.
For the 2nd time in two years, @RazorbackMBB is back in the Elite 8 – looking to advance to their first Final Four since 1995.
Should @EricPMusselman be included among the best coaches in the country? @PatBradley22 says yes.🐗 pic.twitter.com/qC5N3GOdJM
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) March 25, 2022