By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- Once again the Razorbacks have made it to the NCAA Tournament and will play on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on TBS against Illinois in Des Moines, Iowa, at Wells Fargo Arena.
Arkansas (20-13) is a No. 8 seed while Illinois (20-12) is seeded No. 9. The two are in the Midwest Region. The winner of Arkansas and Illinois will face the winner of No. 1 seed Kansas (27-7) and No. 16 Howard (22-12) on Saturday. Eric Musselman knows Illinois will present a big challenge.
"Everybody that you would potentially play in the NCAA Tournament is a really good team," Musselman said. "That’s why they’re in this tournament. Certainly Illinois is really well coached. They some guys that we’ve played before like Terrence Shannon, who was at Texas Tech. And obviously Matthew Mayer from Baylor. They’ve got some really good transfers. It’s an excellent shot-blocking team.
"But anybody from the Big Ten that qualifies for the NCAA Tournament is a really good team."
This is the third year in a row and 36th time in school history for Arkansas appear in the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Razorbacks made it three consecutive years was 2006-2008. It's the third time in school history Arkansas has gained an No. 8 seed.
Both Arkansas and Illinois enter not having played their best basketball of the season. Illinois and Arkansas are both 4-6 in their last 10 games. Arkansas played half its games against teams in the NCAA Tournament, lost Trevon Brazile early to an injury and Nick Smith Jr. missed over half the season.
"Like I said, I haven’t done it a long time, but in the eight years I’ve done it, it’s by far the most difficult schedule, not even close to any other year that I’ve been doing this," Musselman said. "And then you add in the injuries, I’m really proud what our guys have (done), how they’ve stuck together.
"The games that we have lost, a lot of close games. There has not been many games where we’ve been out of games. Over the course of 30 games, every team in the country almost has one or two games where you don’t play very well and there’s double-digit margins. We had a few this year, as well, but for the most part, you look at the 30-game body of work, we were in every single game we played almost."
The Razorbacks, coming off back-to-back NCAA Elite 8 berths, are #21 in the NCAA NET and owns the #3 strength of schedule in the country according to WarrenNolan.com. Also, according to WarrenNolan.com, Arkansas has the #4 non-conference RPI and #7 non-conference strength of schedule. KenPom.com rates Arkansas #19 in the nation.
This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams. Illinois has won the first five. Illinois finished fifth in the Big Ten this season.
Illinois is led by guard Terrance Shannon, 6-6, 215, who is averaging 17.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals. Forward Matthew Mayer, 6-9, 225, enters averaging 12.8 points, 5.5 boards, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Forward Coleman Hawkins, 6-10, 225, is averaging 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, three assists, one steal and 1.2 blocks. Musselman talked about Shannon.
"Terrence Shannon, he’s just so versatile," Musselman said. "He’s a lefty. He can score at many different levels. He’s one of the best athletes in college basketball. He can attack the rim. He can beat people off the bounce. He’s an excellent transition player. He’s had a really, really good year for them."
One bit of potential bad news is star freshman point guard Anthony Black was seen Sunday in a walking boot.
"He’s in a boot and he’ll get rehab today," Musselman said. "That’ll be between him and the trainer."
Musselman was asked if he has hopes of Black playing on Thursday?
"Yeah, I hope so," Musselman said.
However Black was more informative and positive he would play against Illinois.
"It’s all right," Black said. "In the A&M game I just jumped up, tried to get a rebound and landed on somebody’s foot. No doubt. I’m pretty tough through injuries. I’ll be ready. I feel 100-percent good that I can tough it out. I’m used to playing through stuff."
Black has played in all 33 games this season averaging 34.7 minutes per outing. He's averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.6 block each outing.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Action Sports
