Razorbacks Ricky Council IV puts up a shot inside against Kansas on Saturday at NCAA Tournament. — (Jeffrey Becker / USA TODAY Sports)

By the Numbers: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. UConn Huskies

Two NCAA Tournament icons finally clash after missing chance to play in second round last year

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Mar 22, 2023 4:58 PM EDT
Original:
Mar 22, 2023

In this story:

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – There are certain programs that dominate the history books of college basketball, and the records leave no doubt about the iconic status of the Arkansas Razorbacks and UConn Huskies.

The two stories programs will clash in the Sweet 16 Thursday evening for the chance at what will either be the third consecutive Elite 8 appearance by the Razorbacks or the first for UConn in nine years.

50

The number of wins Arkansas basketball has in the NCAA Tournament.

59

Total wins accumulated by UConn over its NCAA Tournament history.

8

How many NCAA wins Eric Musselman has put together in his first three seasons of being able to play in the NCAA Tournament as Razorback head coach. He only needs 18 more to catch Nolan Richardson. At his current pace, Musselman will catch Richardson in 2026.

Eddie Sutton is No. 2 on the all-time Arkansas list with 10 wins, but it should be noted that one of those wins is a 3rd Place game in 1978, which doesn't exist anymore.

3

Number of NCAA Tournament wins combined for all the coaches who held the after Richardson and before Musselman. Arkansas officially had four coaches during that stretch, although Dana Altman never officially coached a game. He resigned after a single day on the job.

Mike Anderson had the majority of those wins at two. North Carolina eliminated his teams in the second round each time they made it.

0

The amount of NCAA Tournament wins UConn coach Dan Hurley in his four years as Huskies coach prior to this season. UConn didn't make it his first season and the tournament was canceled the following year. In 2021 the Huskies lost to Maryland, 63-54, in the first round. In 2022, New Mexico State upset UConn, 70-63, preventing the Razorbacks and Huskies from meeting up in the second round.

6

The number of times either Arkansas or UConn has been in the national championship game since 1994. Arkansas won the national championship in 1994 and returned to the national title game in 1995. UConn appeared in 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014 and won it every time.

1

The number of times Arkansas has defeated UConn. Even though the two programs were college basketball royalty in the 90s, they have only faced each other four times in their entire school history. The Huskies lead the series with a 3-1 edge.

The last time the two met, Arkansas won, 102-67, in the third place game of the Phil Knight Invitational in 2017.

35

The number of times both UConn and Arkansas have each been in the NCAA Tournament.

The longest stretch Arkansas went with consecutive tournament appearances was eight from 1988-1996.

Arkansas made it again in 1998 in a stretch that lasted until 2001. Had Arkansas made it in 1997, it would have been a streak that ran across three decades.

The longest stretch for UConn was also eight years from 1998-2006.

0

How many times Musselman has lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. He leads Richarson, who lost three times in his 13 appearances as the Hogs' head coach.

14

The number of times Arkansas has made the Sweet 16. This is the third consecutive year Arkansas has made it this far. Arkansas has advanced to the Elite 8 six of the last eight times they made to the Sweet 16, including the previous two seasons under Musselman.

33

How many trips to the Sweet 16 Arkansas and UConn have combined. The Huskies last made it this far in 2014.

8

The number of times UConn has advanced to the Elite 8 over its last nine Sweet 16 appearances.

4

The number of 1,000 point scorers under Eric Musselman. Arkansas has 45 all-time. Davonte Davis currently has 938 points, so he is expected to join that list soon also.

7

The number of consecutive games Arkansas had lost to ranked teams prior to upsetting Kansas last weekend. Prior to that losing streak Arkansas was 10-4 against ranked opponents.

3

Number of teams involved in the last two NCAA Tournament national championship games that Arkansas has played during March Madness. The Razorbacks lost two eventual national champion Baylor two years ago in the Elite 8, defeated their title game opponent Gonzaga the following year in the Sweet 16, and took down defending national champion Kansas this season.

Had Arkansas held on to defeat Baylor in Waco earlier this season, the Hogs would have held wins over all three.

75

The number of wins Davonte Davis and Eric Musselman have together. Davis is the only player to last all three tournament seasons with Musselman.

129

Points scored by Davis in the NCAA Tournament. He is reportedly No. 9 on the all-time NCAA Tournament scoring list for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

605

How many points Adama Sanogo has scored this season. He currently averages 17.3 points per game.

6

The number of Arkansas players who have scored at least 250 points this season, led by Ricky Council's 564 points. UConn has five players who have met this threshold.

5

The number of teams remaining in the Sweet 16 that Arkansas has played this season. To this point, Arkansas has faced 14 of the 68 teams that made the NCAA Tournament field this year.

1

The number of wins Arkansas has over teams left in the tournament. The Razorbacks are 1-5 against a list that includes Alabama, Creighton, Texas, Tennessee and San Diego State. The lone win came in overtime against San Diego State after Kamani Johnson tipped in a last second shot to force the extra period.

4

The amount of teams still left in the Sweet 16 that UConn played this season. The Huskies played six of the 68 teams that made the NCAA Tournament field this season.

3

Number of wins UConn has over teams still left in the Sweet 16. The biggest win is an 82-67 win over Alabama the day after Thanksgiving. The Huskies also have wins over Creighton and Marquette.