This was a game that would be able to possibly justify the strength of the SEC. The Arkansas Razorbacks were one of the best teams that the Kentucky Wildcats had faced all season, and they were looking to advance in the tournament.
They maybe didn't do all of that tonight, but they certainly had a battle on their hands as they faced the Wofford Terriers, who had won the Southern Conference and were looking for their program's first ever NCAA Tournament victory.
The Wofford Terriers did a lot of things that underdogs need to do in order to win NCAA Tournament games. They out rebounded the bigger Arkansas Razorbacks, 37-35, including a total of 14 offensive rebounds. They out shot the Razorbacks from three, making 7 compared to Arkansas only hitting 3. They just didn't have anyone would could match up well against Bobby Portis or Michael Qualls.
Bobby Portis really seemed like he could have had a bigger impact on the game if he wanted to, but his 15 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block show that he was truly an impact player. He is the VAVEL USA player of the game. Michael Qualls was simply amazing for the Razorbacks with some amazing dunks and led both teams in scoring, putting up 20 points in the game, including 8-9 from the floor and 2-2 from three.
But even with all of that, the Razorbacks still almost had the game slip out of their hands and into an additional period. On the final possession of the game, the Terriers had two chances to hit a 3, first by their star player Karl Cochran, and after an offensive rebound, Eric Garcia missed a three point shot as well before time expired. Maybe this was an opportunity where the Terriers should have tried to score sooner and foul the Razorbacks, since Arkansas was merely 9-16 shooting from the charity stripe and the Terriers got the ball with a full shot clock.
Despite not having an NCAA Tournament win, Mike Young, the Head Coach of the Terriers could be looked at by other bigger schools as a potential Head Coaching candidate. If that is true it is great for him as coaches typically struggle to move up the ranks, and he has done quite well with Wofford, compiling a 185-160 record over 13 seasons as the Head Coach. What will happen definitely remains to be seen.
Next up for the Arkansas Razorbacks is known though, as they will face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday with the winner advancing into the Sweet Sixteen. They will need more players to step up as a press against a Point Guard like Marcus Paige will be a difficult assignment for the Razorbacks.