Eric Musselman details his message to Nick Smith prior to pivotal shot in win vs. Auburn

If you didn’t already know who Nick Smith was, you might know him now following his jumper yesterday that sent Arkansas to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The freshman got the ball in a big spot and showed just how valuable he is, or could have been, for the Razorbacks down the stretch of a game in the close win over Auburn.

Eric Musselman credited Smith’s shot creation following the game-winning play in Nashville. He said that the ‘Hogs have missed that piece on offense as Smith put his confidence on full display yesterday in what was still just his 13th collegiate game.

“Obviously Nick? The biggest thing in basketball is, when your play dies, who can go manufacture their own shot?,” asked Musselman. “For us, in the past, it’s been Mason Jones, Isaiah Joe, JD Notae. Guys like that. We have missed Nick in that exact type of situation.”

“We have lost a lot of close games. This game has its own theme, its own identity. (But) forget what’s happened in the past,” Musselman added. “Nick read the defense well, was really aggressive as well. He wanted the ball in his hands. I thought our guys did a good job of finding him and not rushing a shot.”

Smith finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals during the three-point win over the Tigers. It was also one of his most efficient performances as he shot 50% from the field and 40% from distance.

As Arkansas blew their 15-point lead late in the second half, it became gut-check time for the young ‘Hogs. However, Smith reminded everyone of the talent he was and still can be by hitting the biggest shot of the day, as well as the biggest of his career, to send the Razorbacks to the next round.

“For a freshman to make that shot in an SEC Tournament game? That’s a big shot,” said Musselman.