If Hogs Want Tourney Momentum, They Will Need Four Consecutive Over Kentucky

Razorbacks Have Chance to Make Series Run Against Wildcats

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Feb 7, 2023 1:35 AM EST
Original:
Feb 6, 2023

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman loves to talk about the three runs that happen in a game and the need to be responsible for two of them while surviving the third.

If the Razorbacks want their best shot at making the NCAA Tournament, that will need to apply to a series against a team as well.

Arkansas and Kentucky has been such a special thing that it's only been allowed to happen twice in a single season once. In 2014, Mike Anderson's Razorbacks went to double overtime both in Bud Walton and Rupp Arena and managed to come away with wins that allowed them to finish 10-8 in the SEC.

For the second time ever, two games in a single season will happen again.

As for the runs, the latest cycle began in February of 2011. Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke knocked down 26 points as the Razorbacks clawed their way through overtime at Bud Walton Arena. Marcus Britt narrowly avoided a charge, hitting a lay-up on a fast break with 16 second left to clinch a 77-76 win.

The Razorbacks went on to take four out of five against the Wildcats. John Calipari's teams took the next eight in the series, including a pair of nail-biters in the first two seasons of Musselman's tenure as the Arkansas coach tried to establish a strong winning culture.

Fans might remember one particular game more than others. With Arkansas threatening to run away with the game and a hot crowd, Calipari got into it with a referee and got himself tossed.

What resulted may have been the loudest moment in the history of Bud Walton Arena. However, it was followed by the Wildcats settling down and stealing one on the road, 66-73.

However, two years ago, Davonte Davis stole an inbounds pass on the final play of the game to give the Razorbacks an emotional win that propelled them all the way to the Elite 8.

Last season, guard JD Notae solidified his All-American status with a chilling 30-point performance that gave Arkansas another emotional win, 75-73, in Bud Walton.

BKM_Kentucky_PerpWalk — Kentucky players leave the game at Bud Walton Arena early for safety purposes after it became obvious that the Razorbacks were going to pull off the win. (Nelson Chenault – USA TODAY Sports)

That win also propelled Arkansas into the postseason as part of a five-game winning streak that helped the Razorbacks win 9-of-11 games heading into the Elite 8 against Duke, including upsets over No. 1 Auburn and No. 1 Gonzaga.

Arkansas once again needs wins over Kentucky to keep the momentum going. Extending the current run to four games would go a long way toward not only getting the Razorbacks into the NCAA Tournament, but once again sling shotting them toward another potential deep run through the bracket.

Splitting the series with Kentucky wouldn't be the end of the world. Dropping both would go a long way toward punching a ticket to the NIT.

However, if Arkansas can pull off the sweep, Razorback fans might be in for another one of those special Musselman Februarys they have come to know and love.