If Nelson Signs with Alabama, Texas Wins Again
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As Arkansas baseball's recent dalliance with TCU proved this past season, no matter how good a person or team may be, there's always a kryptonite out there specially crafted to stop what makes them invincible to everyone else.
For Arkansas coach Eric Musselman, his Horned Frogs just might be the University of Texas. Fortunately for him, none of his run-ins with the Longhorns have occurred at a time where it directly affects the season record. Last year, in a jarring wake-up call that last year's iteration of the Razorbacks were a long way from being the championship material the hype machine anointed them as without having played an official game together, Texas, under then coach Chris Beard, destroyed Arkansas in an exhibition game that served as the official unveiling of the Moody Center.
However, as events have unfolded, it appears as if the Longhorns have secured a second win over Musselman and his program in the days leading to the opening tip of the regular season. Roughly a month ago, Texas made the dubious decision to not grant Ron Holland his release. They waited and waited for the winds to change, which, after a few patient weeks, eventually did as Holland became more open to joining the G League. Arkansas had freed up the roster spot and fans had begun to mentally adopt Holland as a member of the team, but by the time everything ended, that roster spot with Holland's name on it remained empty.
To make matters worse, as Texas played the long game, potential back-up plans found somewhere else to be. That left Arkansas not just wanting to win what initially started as the low probability sweepstakes for athletic North Dakota State forward Grant Nelson, but as it narrowed to a 50-50 shot against Alabama, Musselman and his Razorbacks were in the unfamiliar position of needing to come out on top.
Over the past day or so, reports have floated out that the tide has figuratively turned in Alabama's favor as Arkansas clings to the hope that comes with Nelson and his family reportedly sleeping on whatever decision has been initially made. Meanwhile, Texas is sitting back with a giant tub of popcorn watching everything unfold with absolute glee.
While former Arkansas guard Derrian Ford tries to explain to people that he's not the Ford who got busted for theft at Arkansas State with two other players, the Razorbacks may soon find themselves hoping to scour junior colleges at the last minute for a diamond in the rough whose grades came together late after everyone else had filled their rosters. Whomever Arkansas finds, the odds of having Ford's potential and unmatched work ethic is unlikely.
Unless Nelson signs, Texas will have won again, proving once more that it has earned its reputation of late as one of a handful of America's basketball schools. If anything, Musselman has earned the belief that he can pull some sort of miracle out at the last possible second. However, things look like they're leaning toward Texas simply having his number in every way.
Just like with Arkansas baseball and TCU, it doesn't take away from how great Musselman is against every other school in America. Odds will almost always be in his favor. The Longhorns just have something about them that will continue to perplex him. Perhaps one day, for no foreseeable reason other than Musselman is Musselman, the Arkansas coach will solve the puzzle that is Texas, but for now, Superman has found his weakness.
