Eric Musselman gives key to not overlooking Missouri despite earlier win

Arkansas is back to .500 and has a chance to do something they have not done throughout SEC play. A victory on Saturday against Missouri would make back-to-back wins for Eric Musselman. To find the Razorbacks’ last winning streak, you have to go back to 2022.

Missouri has already taken a loss to Arkansas this season, with the Hogs emerging from Columbia with a win on Jan. 31. One of just four SEC wins this season for the program, Musselman hopes his team will not be taking the winless Tigers for granted. Especially with an 11 a.m. start from Bud Walton Arena.

“I hope we understand, by this stage, how hard it is to win a game in this league,” Musselman said. “It’s a super competitive league and you look at all of the close games Missouri’s played throughout the course of the season. We’ve got to play a great game to beat them. So, it’s an early start. Got to wake up. Got to get your body moving. Get your competitive spirit in high gear from the beginning of the game.”

Yes, Missouri is 0-12 against SEC foes this season but the performances have been better of late. Hanging around with Tennessee was seen as a sign of improvement. The game before was a three-point loss to Ole Miss on the road. Dennis Gates has to feel like his team is close to breaking out.

Musselman gave a shoutout to Tamar Bates, the Indiana transfer, for his play despite the team’s struggles. Tennessee was able to keep him in check with seven points. But Bates had been in double figures in every SEC game, including a career-high 36 points against Florida.

Arkansas is not too familiar with him either compared to the rest of the roster. Slowing down Bates will be a point of emphasis on Saturday.

“Beginning of the year, when we looked at Missouri’s roster and looked at those returning guys, we have great respect for those guys that we played last year,” Musselman said. “And this year. And then like I mentioned, Bates has become such a vital pickup for them in the portal and done a great job scoring in the halfcourt and doing a great job scoring the ball in transition.”

Both teams are going to be fighting for a win despite not having too much to play for. Musselman wants to end the season on a strong note while Missouri will be desperate to get a conference win. A fun one should take place in Fayetteville to kick off a good SEC Saturday.