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Boogie Fland injury: Seth Davis accuses Arkansas of bubble gamesmanship ahead of Selection Sunday

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•about 13 hours
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When it comes to influencing the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, teams will draw up a number of different strategies. Whatever it takes to get in the Big Dance. It’s one of the most beloved events in all of sports and competition for the spots on the bubble is always fierce. Seth Davis is one of the nation’s foremost experts on college basketball. He’s not shy about sharing his different opinions on the NCAA Tourney bubble teams, regardless of who it might anger. On Saturday evening, he had some thoughts about Arkansas and the timing of their news on Boogie Fland.

Davis definitely didn’t earn himself any Christmas cards from the Hogs’ fan base, when he accused Arkansas of bubble gamesmanship. He wondered out loud if the Hogs’ announcement on Boogie Fland was dropped at a time that it might influence the selection committee.

“The cynic in me wonders if this announcement was timed in hopes of influencing the committee to tilt things Arkansas’ way if it’s close. And it’s close,” Davis tweeted on Saturday evening.

Fland, the No. 1 PG and a four-star recruit from On3’s 2024 Industry Rankings, appeared in 18 games this season for Arkansas. He averaged 15.1 points (39.1% FG, 36.5% 3PT), 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game in those outings through the non-conference and five games in conference play. That would currently have him first for their team in assists and second in scoring and steals behind only Adou Thiero. He was also their best shooter, especially in the backcourt, with 35 made triples for 1.9 per game.

A native of Bronx, New York (Archbishop Stepinac HS), Fland was one of the most coveted prospects in the 2024 cycle. He was tabbed as a 2024 McDonald’s All-American, while also playing in the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic. Fland was exceptional his senior year, averaging 19.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game, while shooting 46% from the field. He also connected on 37% of his shots from beyond-the-arc.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this article.