Eric Musselman dismisses importance of 7 free throws after technical call

The final minute of the first half of Saturday’s Arkansas–Vanderbilt game was anything but normal.

Three technical fouls were assessed on Vanderbilt after a heated exchange when Vandy guard Ezra Manjon shoved Arkansas guard Anthony Black. Manjon’s actions came after Black appeared to stand over Vandy big man Quentin Millora-Brown after a layup attempt.

The incident led to double technicals and an ejection for Manjon, and when head coach Jerry Stackhouse argued the call to the officials, he too received a technical foul – making the total three with seven free throws incoming for the Razorbacks.

“I don’t really have a take, we missed a couple and made four,” Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman said about the incident postgame. “To me, that’s irrelevant in the outcome of the game.”

The free throws gave Arkansas an eight-point lead at halftime – but that only lit a fire under the Commodores. Vandy would go on to shoot 69 percent from the floor and 67 percent from beyond the arc in the second half, scoring 63 points in the final 20 minutes to send the Hogs home with a 97-84 loss.

“We’ve lost three state straight games by double digits,” Musselman said. “I don’t recall a team that we’ve coached doing that. … Disappointed with the competitiveness, disappointed when a team makes a run, combating that run. But again, we have a group of guys that’s learning, and we’re trying to learn as well.”

Now, it’s back to the drawing board for Musselman. His team’s trajectory has swiftly taken a nose dive that has resulted in three-straight losses for a group that lost two whole games during their non-conference slate.

They’ll look to get back on track this coming Wednesday against No. 20 Missouri on the road. The Tigers are also reeling from an upset loss (73-64 loss vs. Florida) and know they’re taking on Arkansas at their most vulnerable. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET live inside Mizzou Arena.