Random Observations: Arkansas Win Over LSU
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It's been a long time since there's been a random observations segment done on this website. To be frank, the effort by the team just wasn't good enough to warrant one for a very long time.
However, just as hope has been allowed to return with a much improved team operating on the floor, so have the random things worth noting while it happens. So, pardon the rust that comes with having not done one of these in a long time because here come the random observations from the 94-83 win over LSU.
Jinx in Full Effect
Guard Khalif Battle passed the Hogs' Mason Jones on the list for most points over a four-game stretch by an SEC player over the past 20 years for No. 3 midway through the second half. By game's end he took over the top spot with 141, which is a great accomplishment.
However, most Arkansas fans probably noticed he missed going four straight games with at least 30 points by a single point and they know who to blame. At one point, the announcers said Battle had hit 25 consecutive free throws going back to the Kentucky game.
Everyone knew the jinx was in. There was a sign of relief when he didn't immediately miss the free throw that immediately followed the comment. However, he did miss the next free throw he shot, which was the only one he missed.
Had the verbal jinx not been put into the atmosphere, he hits that one too and keeps his 30-point streak alive.
Mitchell Brother Mojo
Around a week ago, Makhi Mitchell's brother Makhel said when his brother went on that run where he was having huge games while carrying the Hogs on his back, it inspired him to step up his game at Arkansas-Little Rock. The Trojans were in a midst of a run that got well into double digits, resulting in an Ohio Valley championship and a lot of that had to do with Mitchell.
He hit a string of games where he led the team in rebounds each week, scored in double digits in 8-of-9 games. At one point he had consecutive games of 18 points and 11 rebounds, 17 points and 10 rebounds and 21 points and 14 rebounds. During that interview on 103.7 The Buzz in Little Rock, he said he and his brother talk after every game and it helps them to push each other like they always did when together at Arkansas.
Since Battle took over the scoring duties, it's been harder for Makhi to get into the flow of the game as well. He had 0 points and five rebounds against Vanderbilt last week after a long, strong stretch.
However, seeing Makhel play well and lock up the No. 1 seed in his conference tournament appears to have provided a little inspiration. Mitchell not only looked like he returned to form, he looked better.
He had 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes of work against LSU. Getting both him and Battle going made Arkansas virtually unstoppable and the Tigers just didn't have the horses to keep running with the Hogs.
The most important thing for Razorback fans to see was how aggressive he was once he got the ball. He finally started attacking the rim. Even during the stretch where he was dominating, he wasn't going to the rim with any purpose. He was violent and attacking when he went to the basket Wednesday night.
If Arkansas can keep a hungry, aggressive Mitchell going to pair with Battle continuing to stay hot, this Hogs team is going to be a difficult out in the SEC tournament. If somehow Tramon Mark gets going also, only Tennessee can hang so long as the effort being shown on defense holds up. That's a sentence that couldn't have been typed as anything other than sarcasm a few weeks ago.
Musselman Finds His Place of Zen
Eric Musselman is a much more chill man. At one point during a timeout he had a calm, rational discussion with the referee. He didn't even have that twisted look of rage and confusion on his face while he did it. It was one of the most stunning images I have ever seen on television.
There were plenty of opportunities for him to lose his stuff. At one point Chandler Lawson had a perfectly clean block, 100% ball, no skin to skin contact, called a foul. A few minutes later, Jeremiah Davenport simply ran through open space and happened to pass sort of near a player, but didn't make a move toward him that would initiate anything as he passed by, yet he got hit with a foul. Still, Musselman was under control.
He also didn't get up and yell at his players and completely freak out when they made bonehead plays. There were plenty, but he kept it under control. At one point Davonte Davis pulled a three from about five feet behind the arc with plenty of time to shoot that missed the rim by a good foot. Then he had a terrible turnover soon after because of lack of control.
While all of Arkansas was up off its couch going full old school Musselman, the real Musselman just turned to the bench and sent in his replacement. It showed a lot of growth as a coach and a man.
Even the Hog Mascot Has Upped His Game
Not only are the players proving to be a lot more loose since the number of fans dwindled down to pretty much an empty arena, but the Hog seems to be as well. He was out there walking across the court in a headstand at one moment and the next he is snatching fans up off the sideline to dance with them on the court. He just seemed to be having more fun.
HOG FEED:
• Will Battle return to Arkansas line-up next season?
• Razorback pitcher picks up rare accomplishment
• NIL Might Force Razorbacks' Hand as to what has always won
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