Big decisions looming for Razorbacks

Arkansas basketball has closed the chapter on the 2023-24 season and would probably prefer to never turn back.

With eyes now firmly planted on what is shaping up to be a defining offseason for the program, the Razorbacks have several big decisions looming.

Before the transfer portal “officially” opens on Monday, the immediate attention is on who stays and who goes from the current roster.

Arkansas has seven players with remaining eligibility who can choose to return to Fayetteville, explore other college options or begin their professional careers.

• Devo Davis
• Tramon Mark
• Khalif Battle
• Trevon Brazile
• Layden Blocker
• Joseph Pinion
• Baye Fall
• Keyon Menifield

Ten minutes following a season-ending loss rarely produces any definitive answers, but Natty State Sports was at least able to get a feel for what the decision-making process looks like for a few names on the list.

“Shoot, hopefully soon. But right now I’m taking everything day-by-day, step-by-step and trying to figure out what’s next for me.” – Devo Davis

“I don’t know. We just lost. I’m not even… I don’t know. Right now, like, my mind is getting ready for next year. I don’t know. That’s it.” – Khalif Battle

“Rehab. Getting my body healthy. Getting with my inner-circle and making a decision on what I want to do next year.” – Trevon Brazile

Then, of course, there are questions surrounding the future of Eric Musselman, who has been connected to the coaching carousel rumor mill at various open (or soon to be open) jobs.

While this is neither uncommon or necessarily any immediate cause for concern, there is a sense of uneasiness this time around given Musselman’s very manageable contract buyout.

Could the chatter be heating up because he is due for a raise and contract extension at Arkansas, despite a rough go in this particular season?

His postgame embrace with Hunter Yurachek outside the locker room following an overtime win over Vanderbilt Wednesday felt noteworthy in the moment, as do new contracts for colleagues Chris Beard (Ole Miss), Todd Golden (Florida) and Lamont Paris (South Carolina) this week.

Could Musselman “actually” be interested in pursuing other opportunities? Maybe. Time will tell. But he gave no indication it was on his mind in his postgame presser on Thursday.

“Right now the season ending stings,” he said. “I have not been in this position. Hopefully the program is not. Hopefully we’re playing deeper in this tournament, but more importantly hopefully we’re playing in NCAA tournaments.

“This is a new experience for me, and one I hope our group of players will be here next year, and the coaching staff, we certainly hope that we’re back making tournament runs, not just making the tournament.

“A unique and different feeling right now than what many of us have experienced.”

Since the dust settled in Nashville, the Razorback coaching staff has already made contact with one of the top early grad transfers to hit the portal, Furman’s Marcus Foster, who fits the mold of past additions.

 “I’m probably more motivated right now at this moment than I ever have been,” Musselman said. “So, yeah, I can’t wait to work.”