Eric Musselman looks frustrated in Las Vegas. — USA TODAY Sports

It's Interesting More Buzz on Anthony Black Than Nick Smith

A year ago, things were completely flipped, which may be a look into future

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jun 20, 2023 2:51 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — To be honest, things have changed with Arkansas in a year. A lot of that is because there was no trip to Omaha this year, but the biggest difference in how high the Razorbacks may stand in Thursday night's NBA Draft in New York.

A year ago, most people were talking about freshman Nick Smith, Jr., and the speculation had already started about how high he could land in the draft. Anthony Black was mentioned as a possible first round, but nobody had him anywhere near the lottery teams at the top of the process.

Now it's all about Black, who has made waves in the combine, interviews and just about everything ahead of this draft. We've devoted scores of words on what we think about him here and there's not a lot to add to it.Hogs coach Eric Musselman right now is doing everything he can to promote his players in the draft.

Part of that is for future recruiting. It adds to Musselman's growing reputation as a developer of talented players and getting them into the league, which is what nearly every one of these players want when they get here. If Smith and Black go in the first round and throw in Jordan Walsh somewhere in the second round you have three players that came straight from high school and into the draft in a year. Add Ricky Council IV to the list as a one-year transfer and that's four players that could be picked.

Considering the draft is just two rounds, it's a huge deal. Just three of the players being selected is a big number for a two-round draft. of folks not just from college, but around the world. Talent is one thing. Development is another and the third part of the equation is helping promote him to teams.

Musselman right now is building a heckuva track record that he can do that. High school players notice. More importantly, quality transfers notice, too. That likely could be the wave of the future and not everybody can handle an upperclassman coming in for a year and getting him to the league.

Now Musselman has to keep turning it into wins. Maybe it's a sign of what he's turned the Hogs into when just making the Sweet 16 somehow is disappointing to a lot of fans. That's what back-to-back Elite Eight appearances will do for you ... and that's a really good thing, in case you're wondering.