Method to the Madness: Eric Musselman's Coaching Style
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Travel nightmares have done little to stop Arkansas coach Eric Musselman's seemingly never-ending motor and drive. After costly delays getting to the Bahamas, the team had to land in Miami on the way back to clear customs. On the plane ride back, Musselman took a very detailed approach to make sure nothing was missed before a match-up against No. 7 Duke.
"It's the first time I've done all the individual cut-ups for players as well with labeling the tape myself," Musselman said. "Normally coaches in their pods do it. So, it's pretty clear where we have to get better at with each individual player."
Musselman not only cut individual packages for each player of the three games played in the Bahamas, but spared no detail.
"It was probably about 14 hours to do the three games because I went every single play," Musselman said. "Whoever was in the game basically got every single play for the last three games. Luckily, I got a real good staff that told me to stop instead of going back to the UNCG game"
Musselman's stringent standards for preparation are part of what led to Musselman's success in the transfer portal.
"He works just as hard as any of us," guard Khalif Battle said after the season opener. "He’s in the gym before any of us get there. I’m a gym rat. He’s a gym rat. We’re always in the gym. And when you walk into the gym, whether it’s 6 a.m. or 12:00 at night, he’s doing something. If he sees a play, he might text you about it. He’s a scientist when it comes to this basketball thing, and that’s the least I could say about Coach Muss."
Musselman's track record and his unique style of preparation despite the recent bump in the road was a unique selling point as players were approached by potential suitors in the transfer portal.
"It’s very detailed," transfer guard El Ellis said during the preseason. "They really care about us. They want us to get to that next level and be really successful. I feel like if you're in the transfer portal, and Muss calls you. You're crazy if you don’t come."
Despite losing two of three in the Bahamas, Musselman is confident that his attention to detail will get the team on track in time for the games that really matter.
"I wanted to break down every single little tiny detail that needs to get cleaned up," Musselman said. "I wanted the responsibility or the voice to come from the head coach on exactly what areas we want each guy to get better at."
Arkansas will take on Duke Nov. 29 inside Bud Walton Arena in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and fuboTV.
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