FAYETTEVILLE — 2022 started like the end of 2021 for Coach Eric Musselman and his University of Arkansas basketball team.
Not good.
After ending 2021 with an 81-68 loss to Mississippi State in the SEC opener on December 29, the Razorbacks kicked off the new year with a 75-74 loss to Vanderbilt at Walton Arena on January 4. Lost 86- to Texas A&M. 81 on January 8th.
Arkansas went 10-5 overall and 0-3 in the SEC.
Compounding Musselman’s pain was a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He flew into his drill defensively during practice and was accidentally slammed onto the court by his 6-6, 220-pound forward Trey Wade.
But Musselmann and the Razorbacks didn’t sit still.
Instead, Arkansas turned the season around in dramatic fashion, making their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight despite a heavy roster turnover.
Starting with Arkansas’ 87-43 victory over Missouri at Walton Arena on January 12, the Razorbacks are 29-5 in the final 34 games of the 2022 calendar year. After his 11-1 start to the season with his No. 1 teams of Auburn and Gonzaga, there will be another major roster change.
“2022 was about as good a timeframe as I can remember in my coaching career,” Musselman said. “It really was two completely different teams with their own identities. .
“I think the biggest thing is the buy-in and the coaching ability we get from both groups.”
For Musselman’s ability to rally the Razorbacks last season, recruit a talented roster, and lead the team to a strong start to the season, the staff of the Arkansas Democratic Gazette has named him a 2022 Arkansas State Sportsman. Voted for of the year.
“It’s a great honor,” Musselmann said. “For me, this is an accomplishment for all the players, the coaching staff and their families.
Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yuracek said Musselman deserves the Sportsman of the Year award.
Yulacek said, “Given the run we did last season and the last, and having to reinvent the roster and culture again this season, it makes sense for Eric.” , we’re off to a great start.”
After Musselmann injured his shoulder, he was scheduled to undergo surgery until the end of the season. However, when severe pain persisted and he was unable to sleep, he underwent surgery the day after the Missouri rout.
Razorbacks top assistant Keith Smart served as interim coach as Arkansas beat LSU 65-58 in his hometown of Baton Rouge, the only game Musselman missed.
Returning for the Razorbacks’ 75–59 victory over South Carolina, Musselman coached in the shoulder sling for most of the remainder of the season.
After the game, Musselman came into the interview room and appeared at a Zoom press conference with an ice pack on his shoulder and looking like he had just pitched nine innings.
After Arkansas beat Kentucky 75-73 and improved to 11-1 after returning to the bench, Musselman said, “We’ve won a lot of games with that sling. But I hate wearing it.” ”
Musselman added that he has two bosses, his wife Danyelle and Yurachek.
“I was told by them to keep it on,” Musselman said of the sling.
“But it’s one of the most fun times I’ve ever had coaching a team because of the difficulty of the schedule and how we win.”
Yurachek said he never had superstitions associated with slings before, but he’s been in the sport long enough to have some.
“Since Eric put the sling on, we’ve won all but one match. [the] We lost by one point in Alabama. [68-67] We had a chance to win at the end,” Jracek said at the time. “Why mess with the mojo we’re doing now? It’s working.
“Plus I think it keeps Eric cool on the sidelines. I love his energy, but I think it makes him a little more calm.”
Yurachek was looking for Musselman to revitalize the program when it decided to hire him after firing Mike Anderson, who led Arkansas to a 169-102 record in eight seasons, but the NCAA He made only three tournament appearances.
“Mike Anderson has done a great job keeping our program stable,” said Juracek. “But I knew our program needed an injection of energy and passion, and Eric was the right coach at the right time.
“I mean, he’s full of energy on and off the court. I got what I call a national brand again.
“Eric can recruit players from all over the country who are interested in coming to the University of Arkansas.”
This year, Arkansas signed three McDonald’s High School All-Americans for the first time: Nick Smith, Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh. The class of 11 rookies also included the transfer of Ricky Council (Wichita) and Trebon Brazil (Missouri).
Smith, Black, Walsh, Council and Brazilian are the projected 2023 NBA Draft picks, but Brazilian suffered a season-ending knee injury on Dec. 6 in North Carolina vs. Greensboro.
Previously drafted Arkansas signers under Musselman are Moses Moody (No. 14 from Golden State in 2021) and Jaylin Williams (No. 34 from Oklahoma City in 2022).
“The first thing that stands out about Eric is how he has stepped up recruitment here and the quality of players in the various positions he has been able to recruit right out of high school or as a transfer.” Jim Counce, a cardiologist, former Arkansas player and assistant coach to Eddie Sutton. “The quality of the recruiting classes he has done this past year is unmatched at any other time.
“I think it was entirely due to Eric’s efforts. I am not.”
The Razorbacks continued their good form last season after Musselman won 6-2 JD Notae with a larger lineup of Wade, 6-10 Williams, Odie’s Tony and Stanley Umde (all 6-6).
Musselman said he took inspiration from the late Bill Musselman’s father, who coached in the NBA, ABA and college.
“When we were having a hard time, I said, ‘What will my father do?'” Musselman said. “He was my idol, so I knew what he did. I would have played a physical man.
Wade, in particular, played conservatively early in the season, but had the defensive intensity and offensive selflessness that Musselman was looking for.
According to ESPN stats, Arkansas became the first team to defeat both the regular season No. 1 team (Auburn 80-76 in overtime) and the NCAA Tournament No. 1 team (Gonzaga 74-68) in the same season. became. .
“Of course, we all wanted to go further, but the fight this team has shown all year has been incredible,” said Arkansas, 78-69 in the Western Finals. “For the way we started out in the conference, no one expected us to get this far,” Williams said after the loss to Duke on .
The Razorbacks have advanced to the Elite Eights in consecutive seasons for the first time since winning the 1994 National Championship and playing in the 1995 title game loss to UCLA.
“I thought it was really cool that last year’s group was able to step up to a moment when the lights were really bright,” said Musselmann. “It’s difficult to perform under pressure, like against Gonzaga or against Auburn.
“It was a group that really enjoyed being in pressure situations and found a way to win in very big moments.”
After losing all the starters from last season’s team, the Razorbacks are currently ranked 10th this season despite losing Brazil and Smith missing seven games due to a right knee injury. increase.
“For sure it’s been a short season so far with this year’s team, but it’s been impressive that we’ve been able to overcome injuries,” said Musselmann. Did.”
Musselman is 110-34 in four seasons in Nevada and 84-29 in his fourth season in Arkansas.
“I hope Eric will be our coach for a long time,” Counce said.
Season tickets for Arkansas home games have sold out for the second year in a row. Winning helps, of course, but Musselman’s aggressive marketing, especially social, is a factor in his media presence.
“Growing up in the house where I grew up, my father always felt that a coach’s job was not just about winning basketball games and developing players, but just as important was marketing and selling out arenas.” said Musselmann. “There probably aren’t many people on the basketball staff like us sitting around talking about how to interact with students and how to promote the next game.
“I think many coaches just want to coach their teams, but I think it’s important to create an exciting environment in which new recruits and current players want to participate.
“Arkansas has proven over the years that if you can win and connect with your community, you get incredible support.”
Bounce, a regular at Arkansas games, who has also attended several practices since Musselman’s arrival, said he was impressed with the confidence Musselman instills in the Razorbacks.
“I think they believe they will win every ball game they play,” Counce said. “That level of confidence comes through from the head coach.
“I think they believe they will win regardless of where they play and in what conditions. rice field.”
Musselman is hoping to close out 2022 with another win when the Razorbacks’ Open SEC plays Wednesday night at LSU.
