Musselman's Interesting Relationship with Infamous Neutral-Site Games

Like so much of Eric Musselman's time with Razorbacks, he wins most important ones

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Dec 15, 2023 9:03 AM EST
Original:
Dec 14, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For all intents and purposes, the game against Lipscomb is a neutral site game. The game is nearly three hours away from Bud Walton Arena and is a different part of the fanbase. The UA website has it listed as a neutral site game. It's counted as a home game for the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) Rankings, something coach Eric Musselman was quick to point out in his press conference Wednesday.

"We’ve got to defend our home," Musselman said. "It’s a home game with the NCAA, so we’ve got to go play well in a home game."

After this game, there won't be another neutral site game until the conference tournament and NCAA March Madness, so what better time than now to revisit Musselman's behind-the-numbers on neutral site games in his Razorback tenure.

20-12: Musselman's overall record in neutral-site games
Hopefully, it's not an omen for Saturday, but considering the program has been to three straight Sweet 16s, a lot of the wins are coming in the NCAA tournament. Musselman is 12-9 in neutral site games outside of March Madness, including 1-3 this season with a subpar showing in the Bahamas,

Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman on sidelines against Oklahoma

2: Number of Musselman Ejections
Yikes. Something about the water at the BOK Center. Two of Musselman's three ejections have come in Tulsa against OU (the other coming against Missouri in 2021). For those keeping score at home, that's two out of 32 games, for a 6.25% chance that Muss gets tossed come Saturday. Of course, there's also the scene where Musselman had to be ushered out by his staff after getting into it with San Diego State fans after the game last year. Regular season neutral sites just aren't for Musselman's psyche.

1: Times Razorbacks Have Shot over 50% from the field
This one wasn't originally supposed to be on here. The more I went digging, I couldn't find one. The 2022 game against Oklahoma (coincidentally the only game Muss was not ejected from) is the only game that the Razorbacks have eclipsed the 50% mark from the floor. In that game, the Razorbacks shot 35-for-59 (59.3%) en route to an 88-78 win.

-2.2: Average +/- Against the Spread
Bettors rejoice! This has been the advice that you've been looking for all along. That's the fifth-worst in the SEC in the Musselman era, so knock two points off the spread when it does come out and watch the cash come rolling in. (Bet at your own risk, of course).

Home game, per NCAA. Neutral site game in the fans' hearts. Either way, Musselman will be looking to get the team back on track against Lipscomb. The game tips off 5 p.m. Dec. 16 in North Little Rock and will be streamed on ESPN+.