In a battle at Madison Square Garden in New York, Arkansas held on to take an 89-87 win over No. 14 Michigan Tuesday night.
It was a game of two halves. Michigan held a 15-point lead in the first half before going into intermission up 49-45. Arkansas went on a 12-0 run to open the second half and built an 18-point lead before Michigan battled back. John Calipari put the blame on himself for the Michigan comeback, but credited his Hogs for getting the win.
"I made some mistakes down the stretch," Calipari said. "Here's what I like, we get down and we never have stopped."
Arkansas was leading 80-62 before going just short of five minutes without a score. Michigan went on their own 12-0 run to pull within 80-74. A field goal by Danny Wolf pulled the Wolverines to within 88-87 with 1:27 remaining in the game. Wolf's basket came on an offensive rebound of Roddy Gayle's free throw.
Trevon Brazile then went to work for the Hogs. He was fouled with 32.6 seconds left in the game. Brazile missed both free throws thus giving Michigan new life down one point. However, Brazile made up for the missed free throws with a block of Vladislav Goldin's shot. Brazile not only blocked the shot but came down with the ball. He was once again fouled. This time Brazile hit one of the two free throws with 14.3 seconds remaining in the game.
Michigan missed a shot that would have tied the game when Arkansas' Johnell "Nelly" Davis got a good defensive stand forcing the missed basket. That left the Razorbacks celebrating with their biggest win of the John Calipari Era.
"These kids fought," Calipari said. "We did the stuff. Again the missed free throws. Nelly made an and one which gave us a gap. He got beat on a backdoor but he dives on the floor and tips it away. He tips it away and that’s why we win. I’m proud of the guys."
Arkansas (8-2) had lost to the other ranked teams, Baylor and Illinois, they had played. Michigan (8-2) is likely to fall some from its ranking next week.
"I just laughed when we lose to Baylor and Illinois," Calipari said. "They are top 15 teams and all of a sudden we are chopped liver. I’m like wait a minute. We’re pretty good. We’re 8-2 and got some home games. And I’m going to tell you everyone in the league is looking like where are we going to win a game? Everybody. You’ve got to hold home court. Doesn’t matter who it is. And I’m looking around thinking, ‘Geez, I hope they aren’t thinking we are their win, Top to bottom it’s crazy.'"
The Razorbacks were led by Boogie Fland with 20 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists and 2 steals. D.J. Wagner added 16 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. Brazile came off the bench to help with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Adou Thiero, playing with the flu, scored 13 points and had 4 rebounds and 1 steal. Jonas Aidoo had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Calipari liked what he got out of Brazile and Thiero.
"I liked them," Calipari said. "I told them you are going to have to play together. We’re planning some different stuff. We had to slow it down and go from side to side a little bit. Boogie was exhausted. It’s like I pitched his arm out. That’s why I kept saying ‘Quit trying to beat the big guys. You need help to get free.' But it was a good win."
Michigan was led by Goldin with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. Wolf had 14 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Gayle was next with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Will Tschetter came off the bench to add 13 points. Nimari Burnett finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds.
Arkansas will be in North Little Rock on Saturday to face UCA at 3 p.m. in Simmons Bank Arena. UCA (2-7) has lost to both Little Rock and UAPB in its last two outings.