Eric Musselman wants so badly to tell off the SEC officiating crews. He just likes his bank account too much to do so.
The Arkansas basketball coach, for the umpteenth time this season, hinted that officiating was a reason the Razorbacks lost a game. He’s never said officials were the reason, nor the biggest reason. But a late no-call on Makhi Mitchell changed Arkansas’ fortunes.
The Hogs never allowed Alabama a lead in regulation, but still fell to the Crimson Tide, 92-88, on Saturday to close both teams’ regular seasons. Arkansas fell to 15-16, finishing the regular season with a losing record for the first time since 2009-10.
On Tuesday, Arkansas will get a shot to start a miracle. The Razorbacks will play Vanderbilt in a game that pits the 13th-seeded Commodores against the 12th-seeded Hogs. Vandy knocked off Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena on Feburary 27. Arkansas has to win five games in five days to capture the league championship to make the NCAA Tournament. No other outcome will yield a Dance ticket.
Musselman didn’t want to talk about that upcoming game, either, following Arkansas’ loss Saturday. He seemed in a hurry to get on a plane and get back to Fayetteville, lest he say too much, lest he say something that would hurt the proverbial pocketbook.
Here is what he did have to say, though.