How Fans, Media Reacted to Razorbacks’ Victory Over Missouri

Peaking at the right time lessens blow of terrible season

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Feb 24, 2024 5:42 PM EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Eric Musselman’s team is improving at the right time again. Sure, an 88-73 victory over SEC-winless Missouri doesn’t ring jubilance. Seeing them continue to fight and get better says no one is giving up yet, there’s still too much to fight for.

What Arkansas has done recently is sweep a pair of rivals. In a down year it still proves the Razorbacks have goals even if it’s beating up on struggling opponents. Coaches have to find silver linings to keep a team focused. Musselman continues to do so with the Razorbacks on a consistent basis.

Khalif Battle’s Performance

The past three games have been impressive outings by the Temple transfer. Battle has strung together the best stretch of basketball he has played dating back to non-conference play. His 42-points against Missouri are the most by a Razorback in conference play since Todd Day scored 43 against LSU in 1992.

Battle was an efficient 11-of-15 from the field including a 6-of-10 mark from three. He also connected on 14-of-14 from the charity stripe on his way to the first 40-piece of his career.

The 42-points scored by Battle is the most scored by an SEC player this season. According to the ESPN production crew, no one has ever scored as many points without turning the ball over in SEC history.

“You look at the efficiency, 15 field goals and 42 points ... that’s insane,” Musselman said. “He’s done a great job all year of drawing free throws. The six defensive rebounds, that’s probably as good a night as he’s had from a defensive standpoint.”

Following the game, Battle had a funny bit regarding his offensive output. Shooters shoot.

"The president of the United States could tell me to stop shooting and I'm still going to keep shooting it,” Battle said.

This is the second consecutive day in which an Arkansas player has put together a magical performance in his respective sport. Pitcher Hagen Smith threw 78 pitches Friday night striking out 17 batters in six innings.

In typical SEC fashion, it’s become a running joke over the years that the conference likes to diminish the Razorbacks’ independent success. It’s quite likely both Smith’s and Battle’s performances aren’t taking seriously by those who handout weekly honors.

What’s Next

For Arkansas, the Vanderbilt Commodores will come to town Tuesday hoping to put a stop to the Razorbacks late season run. The Hogs lack a quality postseason resume compared to season’s past. Stringing together a third victory in a row going into a hostile environment at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena could start turning heads.

While not trying to look ahead, it’s hard to ignore how much Arkansas is improving. Three point defense, talented offensive players rounding into form could thrust the Hogs into a spoiler role.

“The season is not over so I don’t know how I’ll look back on it,” Musselman said. “I think this is a basketball team that has really improved. It’s a fact that we’re playing the best basketball of the year right now. I don’t know how I’ll feel. We still got basketball to play. So we’ll see where we end up.”