Eric Musselman says Makhel Mitchell's absence vs. Missouri was a 'personnel decision'

A tough stretch for Arkansas basketball has seen the Razorbacks tumble down the AP Top 25 rankings, and a loss to Missouri on Wednesday night will likely knock them out for good for the time being. One player’s absence, Makhel Mitchell, was noted by reporter’s after the game.

Mitchell averages 9.0 minutes per contest and has provided good minutes as a rebounder in the paint, but he was a DNP (did not play) against the Tigers.

“They play four guards so it was a personnel decision,” coach Eric Musselman explained simply after the game.

Whatever the case with Mitchell, Arkansas once again failed to get the job done on the hardwood on Wednesday night.

The 79-76 loss to Missouri came after Arkansas blew a big lead in the waning moments.

Anthony Black takes responsibility after loss

While Makhel Mitchell’s absence was the subject of some question after the game, one thing that was not in question was team leader Anthony Black‘s response to the loss.

It was Arkansas’ fifth in the last six outings and its fourth straight.

Black said he and his teammates got away from what was working for them. In doing so, they let the momentum shift back to Missouri in front of their home crowd.

“We got up by getting stops and then, offense, I thought we were playing with a lot of confidence. Just getting stops and being smart with the ball,” said Black. “And then, down the stretch, we fouled a lot, we gave up a lot of threes. A couple big threes. The momentum shifted. And we turned the ball over.”

He took personal accountability for much of that.

“A lot of that’s on me,” Black said. “As the point guard and game manager? With three minutes and (we’re) up 10? You’re supposed to win the game. So I take the responsibility for what happened down the stretch.”