Did Georgia Go Down to Substance or Smoke and Mirrors?

Arkansas Razorbacks put together most complete game since win over Duke

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Feb 10, 2024 8:36 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – So did Arkansas fans just watch Eric Musselman spend a week casting a magic spell that resulted in a 78-75 win over Georgia in Bud Walton, or is this a case of the smoke and mirrors game-planning that makes him such a dangerous coach in the NCAA Tournament?

It will take a few games to tell which, but with a week to prepare for a flagging Georgia Bulldogs team that was on fire the last time Arkansas faced them, Musselman had the Hogs moving the ball, taking good shots, defending the three and playing with chemistry. Ball movement and diminished selfish play led to buckets inside, outside and especially in the mid-range game.

Jalen Graham took care of business with his signature short hooks and lay-ups inside and Mahki Mitchell held it down in the second half, Keyon Menefield found a hole in the zone for shot after shot just off the elbow, and El Ellis found his shot again from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Georgia was 1-of-12 from three in the first 28 minutes of the game as the Razorbacks closed out and sometimes even blocked threes.

The difference between an NCAA Tournament game and the SEC is the lack of time to study and counter. Musselman is brilliant when it comes to spending an entire week putting together a one use only plan for theoretically more talented teams. He finds ways to hide deficiencies while exploiting singular weaknesses in opponents better than just about anyone.

However, it's a strength that can fall apart with time to study and plan. Even a half can provide a good coach a chance to counter. That's exactly what happened Saturday.

Bulldogs coach Mike White watched what Arkansas did against Georgia offensively in the first half and found a way to blow away some of the smoke and break a few mirrors after a few minutes passed in the second half. However, there was just enough substance in what Arkansas was doing to hold onto the lead late into the game.

If it's legitimate growth, there's a path to the postseason. Outside of the Duke game, this was the best Arkansas looked as a team all season.

Arkansas had five players in double figures. Only 10 Razorbacks hit the floor, although, it should be noted the minutes heavily leaned toward a core eight players, which is closer to how Musselman prefers to do business.

There aren't likely enough wins left in the season to make the NCAA Tournament outside of a surprise run in the SEC Tournament. However, if the chemistry and selflessness shown Saturday on both ends can continue to be replicated and possibly built upon, there is definitely a good shot at making the NIT, which wasn't in the picture coming into the Kentucky game.

Something changed behind the scenes over the past week. Tennessee probably won't be a great gauge as to how solid the change happens to be. That will be determined in Starkville and College Station the two games afterward.