The Arkansas Razorbacks' resilient magic ran out on Monday night versus the Baylor Bears but it's hard to see anything but a bright future ahead for Eric Musselman's program. Five months ago, the Hogs were selected to finish sixth in the SEC but tonight they were the last team standing from the conference in the Elite 8.
With three graduate transfers, two former sit-ones, four freshmen and two returners, the expectations ranged from nothing to Sweet 16 aspirations, but not even the most optimistic fans seriously considered this grab-bag of Hogs transcending to the level of the '95 defending title team.
Despite the ability to return for another season, Arkansas's three graduates–Justin Smith, Jalen Tate and Vance Jackson–are most likely moving on from their amateur careers. SEC freshman of the year Moses Moody, limited to 11 in the loss to Baylor, will be taken in the first round of the NBA draft.
Replacing that level of talent and experience will be the goal of the off-season, and Musselman's got the process down to a science at this point.
Whoever the Razorbacks bring in, along with 2021 signees Chance Moore and Akol Mawein, will have high standards to live up to. One Elite 8 run is special, but what Musselman is working to build could make it commonplace with the groundwork the 2020-21 team laid.
"This team will never be forgotten, man," senior Jalen Tate shared after his 13-point performance. "This group has done a lot for this program and the culture of this program. I think year two with this coaching staff, man, it puts you on a jump start in the right direction.
"It sets the standard for every single year -- the work that we put in and the work that the players coming in will have to put in, and just the expectations of the returner every year -- you'll want to get back to this point and back to these experiences."
The growth experienced by every player but especially Devo Davis, Jaylin Williams and JD Notae throughout the season provides a bright glimmer of optimism for the core of the team next season.
"We were a basketball team that got better every single day," Musselman said postgame. "They came to practice and worked every day. Even today at our shoot-around we continued to work on some fundamentals that hopefully can help all of our guys individually, wherever they are.
"I'm sure when we get out of this building and we fly back home tomorrow, we'll have time to reflect once we get back to Northwest Arkansas. But a phenomenal season and certainly a season in year two that we can all build upon."
When the Razorbacks were hurting for points to start the game versus the Bears, Williams scored 8 points on 4-5 shooting and grabbed four rebounds. The Hogs went small for most of the remainder of the game so the Fort Smith native hit the bench with 16 minutes played.
"He came into his own on both sides of the ball really," Tate said. "He became a tenacious rebounder, just excellent, one of the best in the country, honestly, that I had seen. And he became an anchor, honestly, on both sides of the ball.
"He was making calls on both sides, telling me what we should run and giving me suggestions. And even with our coverages helping out a lot. And so I think he just came into his own as far as the maturity level and, you know, his understanding of the game overall."
Davis stepped up for the Hogs time after time this season with his energy, defense and mid-range jump shot, quickly earning the admiration of fans and cementing it with his game-winner versus Oral Roberts. Davis had six rebounds, two assists and 14 points on Monday night.
"Devo Davis is tremendous energizer bunny," Tate said. "There's not a thing he can't do on the court, honestly. I'd love to see him really take on that leadership role going forward because he can do it. I think he'll go as far as this game will take him."
The Razorbacks will have at least five new faces on the court next season but with the foundation built in year two under Musselman, the potential in year three is limitless.
"I believe that with this coaching staff and with the support of the community and the fans, they'll definitely do everything they can to get back to this," Tate concluded. "They're high-character guys and super competitors. So I believe they'll push one another and the people that are brought in to have the same success."
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