Arkansas men’s basketball battled from start to finish, but moral victories do not lessen the sting of Saturday’s 71-67 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville.
The Razorbacks have struggled handling adversity and putting together two halves all season. Frankly, they had every reason to fold again in a building the program has not won in since 2015.
Arkansas was without Trevon Brazile (knee) for a sixth straight game, and the front court became dangerously thin when it was announced Jalen Graham (shoulder) would also be unavailable against the big, physical Bulldogs.
Rather than tuck their tails, the shorthanded Hogs displayed a refreshing measure of fight and toughness that was not present just 72 hours prior in a blowout home loss to Tennessee.
“Super proud of the effort,” said head coach Eric Musselman. “When you’re without a preseason all-league player that’s 6-11, any team in the league would go through some struggles.
“I thought we played really good against Tennessee in the first half. We played very poorly in the second half against Tennessee, but I thought today we played 40 minutes.”
Saturday was Arkansas’ sixth true road game of the season. The Razorbacks notched a win at Missouri, but had lost every other contest in enemy territory by double-figures up until Saturday’s heartbreaker.
Progress? Perhaps, but despite the strong effort, nobody walked away pleased with the end result.
“I know our fans, I know our locker room, I know our coaching staff, our players, super frustrated without coming away with the win,” Musselman said.
“But, with any ball club, it’s can you improve? Do you give your all? Are you playing with effort, energy and enthusiasm? We played as hard as we possibly could tonight.”
Arkansas led as late as the 1:07 mark or the second half and had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final minute, but Mississippi State held on and held serve at home to send the Hogs back to Fayetteville 12-13 overall and 3-9 in SEC play.
“I think we made a step in the right direction, but we’ve still got a little ways to go,” said senior guard Khalif Battle. “We’re right there. It’s tough because we feel like we’re right there. Now it’s just getting to the top of the mountain. It’s tough.”
It is the first time Eric Musselman has been below .500 as a collegiate head coach and the first time the Razorback program has been underwater since 2016.
The Razorbacks proved they still have some pride and fight left in the tank, but time will tell if they parlay it into a winning effort in the unfriendly confines of Reed Arena against Texas A&M on Tuesday.
“I just want to win,” Battle said. “So, whatever we have to do as a team and individually. As long as we get the win, that’s all that matters. It’s just time to get back to work.”