Razorback head basketball coach Eric Musselman shows his excitement after beating LSU at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, AR.

by Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - In their first meeting since Arkansas’ 1994 national championship game victory, the Razorbacks and Duke Blue Devils meet again in Saturday night’s NCAA Tournament West final at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Tip-off is 7:49 CDT, televised by TBS.

Saturday’s winner advances to the Final Four in New Orleans.

Eric Musselman, the Razorbacks’ fourth coach since Nolan Richardson coached them to their lone national championship, brings Arkansas, 28-8, to the Elite Eight for the consecutive year, this time following West Regional victories over Vermont and New Mexico State and Thursday, 74-68 in San Francisco over West top seed and nationally No. 1 Gonzaga.

Mike  Krzyzewski, Duke’s coach since 1980 and seeking his sixth national championship, announced his retirement, making Saturday’s game his last if Duke loses or finishing at the Final Four if the 31-6 Blue Devils prevail over Arkansas.

Las Vegas oddsmakers in Friday’s wee hours opened with second-seeded Duke of the ACC a four-point favorite over the fourth-seeded Hogs of the SEC.

Duke’s West Regional victories were over California State-Fullerton and Michigan State in Greenville, S.C. and 78-73 Thursday night in San Francisco over third-seeded Texas Tech.

Blue Devils starters Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, Jeremy Roach, Wendell Moore and AJ Griffin respectively scored 22, 16, 15, 12 and 11 points against Texas Tech.

JD Notae, 21 points, Jaylin Williams and Trey Wade, 15 points each, led Arkansas’ scoring against Gonzaga.

Banchero, 6-10 and Williams, 7-feet, present another twin towers challenge to Arkansas after the Hogs faced Gonzaga 6-10 and 7-foot All-Americans Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren.