Razorbacks' Eric Musselman Getting Team He's Built

Blueprint not exactly what he planned, but how this team may finally be what he wanted

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Feb 22, 2023 10:54 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was just a line in Arkansas coach Eric Musselman's press conference Tuesday night.

What he said may be more accurate overall than the context in which he used it.

"The team we’ve had for much of the season isn’t the team we’ve built," he said.

That was probably taking into account the season-ending injury to Trevon Brazile back before they started SEC play, but it's likely accurate.

He put together a team that had high expectations and for most of the season hasn't played close to what people thought would happen back in August.

Yes, Brazile's injury has played a huge role but the biggest expectations were around one of the top recruiting classes in the country (even No. 1 by many).

Nick Smith, the centerpiece of that class, has missed more games than he's played which nobody planned, maybe even Musselman.

You wonder if he knew all along with that many freshmen and just about everybody a newcomer (only Kamani Johnson and Davonte Davis were around last year) it was a team he could develop by tournament time.

After an 84-65 win over Georgia followed by a 97-85 win over Florida, they are rounding into expectations with Smith maybe turning into the showpiece.

The talented freshman racked up 26 points against the Gators and brought an entirely new dimension to this Razorback team that has been jerking and weaving down the road of a long season.

"Nick was phenomenal," Musselman said about Smith's game against Georgia. "Not just offensively, obviously with 26 points, but I thought he did a really good job defensively as well."

Arkansas Razorbacks Nick Smith Jr. during a game with the Georgia Bulldogs. — (Nelson Chenault / USA TODAY Sports)

It was his third game back and everything finally clicked Musselman may have just decided to put Smith in the starting lineup and see if everything fell together faster.

It worked.

"Nick obviously changes who we are with his perimeter shooting," Musselman said. "His 3-balls opened up other looks for other guys. Really good game for both sides of the ball for us."

It may just allow everybody to do what they know how to do best. Everybody suddenly looks more comfortable as opposed to trying to figure things out almost every single play.

"The guys that have played I give them a ton of credit because they’ve hung around and competed every night," Musselman said. "You add Nick and we’re a much better and way more well-rounded offensive team."

Which is exactly what everyone expected last summer.