Khalif Battle continued his run of stellar showings Wednesday when he poured in 29 points to lead Arkansas past LSU in Fayetteville, 94-83.
The getback game over the Tigers on Senior Night put a positive bow on an otherwise disappointing season at Bud Walton Arena where the Razorbacks finished 11-6 on the year.
“Senior Night is great for all the guys who have poured so much into the program, and for the families that came out it was important to get the win,” Battle said.
“It was important for me as well because I love all the guys on this team. You can’t tell by our record, but this is the closest I’ve ever been with my teammates.
“This is a close team. Our record doesn’t show how much we love each other.”
When initially asked about sending the seniors out on a high note in their final home game, Battle passed the mic to Jeremiah Davenport while reminding media he has another year of eligibility remaining.
Naturally, the follow-up question for Battle was whether or not that was an indication he planned to return to Arkansas next season.
While Battle did not offer a definitive answer, his response resonates with fans who appreciate players who take pride in the name across the chest.
“I’m a Razorback,” Battle said. “I’m right here. I’m a Razorback. Ain’t nothing changed. I’m a Razorback until the end.”
Battle has been on an historic scoring run of late. His 137 points in Arkansas’ last four games is the most in such a span among all SEC players over the last 20 years.
His 29 points per game over the last six contests is a far cry from the back-to-back scoreless outings in 12 total minutes of playing time that preceded the tear.
What changed? Confidence…
“Coach brought a couple of guys to the side,” Battle said. “Me and JD met with coach and he gave us all the confidence in the world saying he was going to ride with us no matter what.
“Me and Coach Muss are a lot alike. He’s a competitor. I’m a competitor. That’s why I chose to play for him.”
Aside from a blip on the radar against Vanderbilt, the Razorbacks have looked much improved the last three weeks, which coincides with Battle’s emergence.
It hasn’t always resulted in wins, but the energy, effort and connectivity has seen a noticeable uptick.
For anyone looking for a reason to continue riding with this group of Hogs through the rest of the season, Battle’s powerful words are probably a good starting point.
“We didn’t know what being a Razorback was until we got here,” he said. “It’s a different level of competing. It’s a different level of how you handle yourself inside of basketball and outside of basketball.
“Right now we’re showing that more. Maybe it doesn’t show up in the wins and losses but it means something to us. Win or lose, we’re still happy to be in this position.”
Battle was actually questionable for Wednesday’s matchup as he works his way through nagging injuries and the wear and tear of the season.
Will he be able to hold up long enough to give the Razorbacks a puncher’s chance at next week’s SEC Tournament in Nashville? Count on it.
“There was no doubt. I’m playing,” Battle said. “I’m still banged up, but that’s not stopping me.
“I’m not missing games. I broke my foot this summer. My foot has been hurting. I came back a week before the first scrimmage and had a week to prepare for Purdue. I’m playing, for sure.”
Arkansas (15-15, 6-11 SEC) will wrap the regular season on Saturday with a road trip to Tuscaloosa to face No. 16 Alabama.