arkansas men’s basketball Coach Eric Musselman shows off his muscles as he celebrates the team’s upset victory over the defending national champions, the Kansas Jayhawks.
No. 8 Razorbacks Topped Out Jayhawks 72-71 As Ricky Council IV made five free throws in the closing seconds of the game. The 58-year-old coach jumped onto the press table, took off his red polo shirt and waved it over his head.
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Head coach Eric Musselman led Arkansas to a 72–71 victory over Kansas. (AP Photo/Eric Olson)
Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman reacts after a second round college basketball game against Kansas in the NCAA tournament on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Mourry Gush)
The crowd in Des Moines, Iowa went berserk.
“This is an incredible victory for our program,” Musselman said. “I keep telling people we’re getting better. Not many teams can get better this time of year. I’ve never been more proud of a team than tonight.”
Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman reacts at the press table by taking off his shirt. (AP Photo/Mourry Gush)
Arkansas knocked off No. 1 Gonzaga last year on the way to a elite eight appearance, This time, the team didn’t even lead for 2 minutes as they struggled on offense early and fumbled late. According to OptaSTATS, Arkansas became the first team to beat a No. 1 seed, with three eliminations.
Council said after the game, “I’d love to lie and say I felt calm, but we only advanced until 1:43.” “This has been as challenging and as volatile a season as any I have ever been a part of.
“These guys should be rewarded for sticking with it and being able to go to Las Vegas and participate with only 16 teams….It’s really hard to make this tournament. To win a game in this tournament really It’s tough. It’s really tough to beat the defending champion, the No. 1 seed. We did it.”
The crowd in Des Moines, Iowa, went wild when the 58-year-old coach leapt onto the press table and took off his red polo shirt. (AP Photo/Charlie Niebergel)
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Arkansas, which beat Illinois in the Round of 64, awaits the winner of St. Mary’s and UConn in the Sweet 16.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.