A strong schedule can help build a team’s resume for the NCAA Tournament. The catch is that team has to win those tough games.
Arkansas finds itself in such a predicament early in the 2023-24 season as the Razorbacks sit 5-3 heading into Monday’s game against Furman in Fayetteville. The Hogs are good, no doubt, but the tough slate saw them ranked 117th in the NCAA’s first edition of the NET rankings.
The NET rankings are one of the main criteria the NCAA Tournament selection committee uses ahead of March Madness. Only three teams in the SEC were lower: Georgia (148th), LSU (165th) and Vanderbilt (256th).
Arkansas faithful should have no fear, though. When the Razorbacks start racking up wins in December – assuming they do – the number will climb. What Arkansas does in SEC play will ultimately determine the Razorbacks’ fate.
But if Arkansas beats Furman and then Oklahoma on Saturday, following last week’s win over Duke, coach Eric Musselman’s team will jump and ultimately, where things go from here are most important.