On to the Sweet 16: Arkansas outlasts Texas Tech to advance in NCAA Tournament
Eric Musselman is taking Arkansas to its first Sweet 16 since 1996. The 3-seed Razorbacks knocked off 6-seed Texas Tech 68-66 in a Round of 32 thriller.
Arkansas led by two points at the break and double-digits at times in the second half but the Red Raiders refused to go away, battling until the final buzzer. A late 9-2 Texas Tech run had it 67-66 Arkansas with under 2 minutes to play. The score remained the same until the 19.3 mark when JD Notae was fouled. Notae made a free-throw to extend the lead to 68-66 and got the final rebound of the game.
Arkansas’ Justin Smith and Texas Tech’s Terrence Shannon Jr. led the scoring with 20 points each. Smith shot 9-of-11, adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Davonte “Devo” Davis and Moses Moody chipped in 15 points a piece for the Hogs.
With emotions and intensity running high from the get-go, Sunday’s game had the feel of a later-round tournament clash.
While Arkansas was a 3-seed beating a 6-seed, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index slightly favored Texas Tech (52.8 percent chance to win). The Red Raiders were also the Vegas betting favorite by a bucket leading up to tipoff.
It was all tied up at the first-half under-4 media timeout 31-31. For the final 3:26 of the period, Arkansas kept Texas Tech scoreless and notched two points for a 33-31 lead at the break. The Hogs improved their record to 34-2 when leading at the half under Mussleman.
There were four lead changes in the first 20 minutes. Texas Tech led for 10:47 of the half by as many as 10 points.
Smith and Moody got the Razorbacks off to a strong start in the second half, extending the lead to 44-35 at the first media timeout. It was a 10-point Arkansas advantage 50-40 at the under-12 timeout (11:58).
Devo Davis was tagged with a ridiculous technical foul for hanging on the rim after a dunk that made it 54-42 at 9:28. Texas Tech made the free throw to cut it to 11.
Fire the ref that called this a technical foul @BarstoolUA pic.twitter.com/k2RLYURjOF
— Fundamentally Sound (@FundamentallySD) March 22, 2021
The call did not swing the immediate momentum as Davis got another bucket to make it 56-43 (9:04). The Raiders later went on an 11-0 run that cut it all the way to 58-57 before Moody answered with a three-pointer extending it back to 61-57. It was 63-57 Arkansas at the 3:55 under-4 media timeout.
Arkansas awaits the winner of 7-seed Florida vs. 15-seed Oral Roberts in the Sweet 16.
Great win by the Hogs. The game was an absolute slugfest. I love this team and our coach. Survive and advance.
And to think Devi was committed to Ok St before Muss arrived. Then he brought in Smith. Go Hogggsssss!
Just a team effort game by game. Smith leading the way. Williams 1 point and 10 boards. TAte and Devo playing defense. Notae being Notae. Fun to watch.
I said this game was a toss up. Great win you Hogs…now after Florida bit the bullet you have got to beat that Cinderella.
Rematch for the hogs. We beat ORU in December, but there’s been a lot basketball played since then.
Well that looks like advantage Arkansas not just for the win but some actual game experience with ORU. Arkansas wasnt playing their best early on so its even better for this game. Only thing is it seems every year a Cinderella gets on a roll and its hard to stop. But basketball is that way.
Congrats to Arkansas. Survive and advance.
It was truly survive. Good luck today as well
Good result Razorbacks, congratulations
The question on the ‘Technical’ is simple. Is there a good safety reason why he needs to hang on the equipment? And the answer is “no”. So for the safety of not having the backboard and rim equipment break, yes, the technical is appropriate. There’s probably a point of emphasis about it in recent NCAA officials instructions history.
Originally it looked like his momentum carried him forward and he simply hung on longer to prevent himself from being flung forward or onto the floor. After a couple angle changes you could see him pull up on the rim also. That little movement is what caused it to be a tech. They called it right
Another USA Today article Sunday that said Indiana should do the smart thing and keep Musselman from leaving Indiana after the tournament. I figure the writer has Indiana ties and still thinks Indiana is a plum job, still living in the past. Why would anyone make a downward move to that wreck.
Yuracheck has already signed muss’ extension and raise. Will hand it to him after season is over. LOL
Big win for the Hogs!
I just KNEW that somehow Tech would get the ball to Mac for a late, game winning three (as he has done several times this year), but DEVO played some inspired defense in the last 19 seconds to totally deny Mac from getting the ball.
Great game for sure! So glad to have Williams back in the line-up! He is a rebounding machine! Go Hogs!
The refs really did a good job at keeping Tech in the game late, but Arkansas kept pushing and prevailed. GREAT game and fun to watch. Path to the Elite 8 is open for the Hogs. Love seeing the SEC do well in the tourney and change that national perception.
Continued success Hogs. Go CATS!!!
Congrats Hogs! Hope we have two SEC teams in the Final Four!
You ladies hurry home to your white claws and pellet grills… real basketball is about to start.
Who else is ready to see the best basketball players money can buy! Geaux tigahs!
Money doesn’t buy everything huh FFG? That was a short run. I was hoping Bama could beat LSWho for a fourth time.
Noeaux tigahs!