Eric Musselman speaks highly of Ricky Council, Anthony Black after Troy win

Arkansas found themselves in a two-point hole heading into the under-eight TV timeout on Monday night against Troy. Head coach Eric Musselman then saw a switch flip after the break, coming out blazing and putting the game to bed. The Razorbacks ended on a 20-5 run to win 74-61.

Ricky Council was the leading scorer on the night, having 27 points on 12 of 18 shooting. Musselman knows the value he has brought to the Arkansas program since transferring in from Wichita State. Despite the impressive defensive effort from Troy, Council was able to guide the Hogs to a win.

“Ricky has been a guy that we can put the ball in his hands,” Musselman said. “Ricky and Anthony Black were phenomenal in pick and rolls against their zone. Give Troy a lot of credit, I thought they played really hard. They’re a hard defensive coverage because they space you out. They can dribble drive, they can shoot threes

“Troy played phenomenal. I thought their coach had a great game plan and we had some guys that really struggled with energy tonight but Ricky Council was not one of them”

Monday night was the first Arkansas game since coming back from the Maui Invitational, a place teams have faltered in the past. Musselman said that’s something he is now well aware of after a tough matchup against Troy.

“Everyone has told us how hard the first game is back from Maui,” said Musselman, “Now we know.”

Eric Musselman credits Anthony Black for defensive performance

An impressive freshman class was brought to Fayetteville by Musselman and none have been more impressive thus far than Anthony Black. Both on the offensive and defensive end, Black has been a rising star in college basketball.

Black did it once again against Troy, locking down Aamer Muhammad to just five points. Musselman thinks Black’s length was a big reason for the poor performance.

“I mean, he can guard one through four, really,” said Musselman. “It’s hard for point guards to shoot over him. I thought he did a really good job on No. 2. Muhammad is a really good scorer and I think his length bothered him a little with their point guard play.”

Arkansas now moves to 6-1 on the season, with the only loss coming to Creighton in Maui. San Jose State is next up on the schedule this Saturday, with another opportunity for Musselman’s squad to play in front of Bud Walton Arena.