The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team is eagerly awaiting their next opponent in the SEC Tournament. After Oklahoma's 86-74 victory over South Carolina, the Sooners advanced to face Texas A&M in the quarterfinals, set for approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
With a strong season under their belt, the Razorbacks, boasting a 23-8 overall record and 13-5 in the SEC, secured the No. 3 seed and a valuable double-bye. This advantage means they’ll only hit the court on Friday, ready to take on either Oklahoma or Texas A&M at around 8:30 p.m.
Porter Moser, Oklahoma's head coach, expressed high regard for Texas A&M, acknowledging their talent and the impressive work by Coach Bucky McMillan. Arkansas, for their part, has had success against both potential opponents, having edged out Oklahoma 83-79 in January and bested Texas A&M 99-84 in February.
The Sooners, with an 18-14 record, showcased their resilience against South Carolina. A pivotal stretch saw them hit eight of nine shots, extending their lead from 59-53 to 83-66, effectively sealing their victory. Nijel Pack was instrumental, leading with 24 points, including five three-pointers.
The game was neck-and-neck at halftime, tied at 42-42, but Oklahoma's determination shone through. Pack emphasized the team's mindset: "It’s one game at a time and that’s all we’re focused on."
Despite starting their SEC campaign at 1-9, the Sooners have clawed their way back into NCAA Tournament contention, winning six of their last eight. With other bubble teams faltering, Oklahoma sees a potential path to the big dance if they continue their winning ways.
Reflecting on their journey, Pack shared, “We knew we had a path... We’re playing with a different confidence, playing with a different swag and we’re playing super hard.”
As the Razorbacks prepare, fans can expect an intense matchup, with Arkansas ready to capitalize on their well-earned rest and previous victories.