Minutes before the Arkansas basketball game against Kentucky on Saturday evening at Bud Walton Arena, the Razorbacks sports information department slid a little email to gathered media.
Arkansas guard Devo Davis “has stepped away from the program,” the press release, which arrived at 4:50 p.m. stated. It stated nothing else. At all.
Davis was in a similar situation in November 2022 last season. Coach Eric Musselman announced that Davis would be away. No reason was given, nor was a timetable provided. That was on November 28. Davis returned two days later and nearly everyone around the program acted like nothing had happened.
Arkansas beat San Jose State by 41 points on December 3 in Davis first game back. It was also the last game the Razorbacks had a healthy Trevon Brazile for the entireity, as well.
Brazile and Davis both returned this year and Arkansas was ranked in the Top 25 in the preseason. But entering Saturday’s game against the Wildcats, Arkansas was 1-5 in SEC play and needed a miracle, practically, to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season.
Davis, a senior from Jacksonville, Arkansas, who has been a starter in all four of his seasons, is averaging 6.3 points and 4 rebounds this season.