No. 4 Seed Arkansas Facing Godzilla Of A Team In Gonzaga

When you’re going to San Francisco, make sure you put on some protection along with your hair on hearth.

When you’re going to San Francisco, you’re going to satisfy some not so light individuals there.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman, a former coach of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco from 2002-04, has gone dwelling once more, arriving on Tuesday for the NCAA Match West Area semifinal towards No. 1 total seed Gonzaga (28-3). Tip-off is at 7:09 p.m. jap Thursday on CBS within the 18,064-seat Chase Heart.

Musselman, who wore a shirt with “San Francisco Warriors” on it for a press convention Monday, stated he plans to schedule some workforce actions across the metropolis – maybe a tour of the previous Alcatraz jail in San Francisco Bay or the Muir Woods and its large redwood timber throughout the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then it will likely be time to face the Zags’ redwoods – 7-foot freshman heart Chet Holmgren, a possible excessive first spherical choose who averages 14.2 factors with 9.8 rebounds and three.6 blocked pictures a sport, which is fourth within the nation, and 6-10, 235-pound junior ahead Drew Timme, who averages 18.2 factors and 6.8 rebounds a sport.

There may be additionally 6-5 senior level guard Andrew Nembhard, a switch from Florida after the 2018-19 season who’s averaging 12 factors and 5.8 assists a sport whereas hitting .385 from 3-point vary. Senior 6-3 capturing guard Rasir Bolton (11.3 factors a sport) would lead the nation in 3-point area aim proportion at .470 (62 of 132), however he doesn’t have the minimal of two.5 made a sport to qualify for the NCAA statistics. And 6-7 sophomore guard Julian Strawther averages 11.8 factors a sport and is hitting .371 from 3-point vary (53 of 143).

Off the bench is 6-8 junior ahead Anton Watson, who averages 7.5 factors and 4.5 rebounds. It’s no marvel Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring with 87.8 factors a sport and in scoring margin at 21.8. Arkansas is No. 48 in scoring with 76.2 factors a sport and 138th in scoring protection at 68 a sport.

Arkansas Protection Stifled Teddy Allen of New Mexico State

“They current loads of issues,” stated Musselman, who’s bidding to achieve the Elite Eight for the second straight season. “They do have loads of weapons. They’ve a possible lottery choose in Holmgren, and Timme has been pretty much as good as any participant in the whole nation. These two run an excellent high-low sport. Nembhard does an excellent job of advancing the ball, even after made baskets. He’s one of many smartest level guards in school basketball, and he’s actually improved as a 3-point shooter.”

Gonzaga coach Mark Few makes use of loads of screens for deep seems to be with Strawther, Bolton and Nembhard.

“We’re going to need to play at an elite stage to present us an opportunity to win,” Musselman stated.

Arkansas (27-8), although, has been enjoying at an elite stage since January because it has gained 17 of its final 20 video games in several methods. The Razorbacks gained their NCAA Match opener, 75-71, over No. 13 seed Vermont and gained a defensive wrestle over No. 12 seed New Mexico State, 53-48. They’re the one remaining SEC workforce after six had been invited.

“We’re glad we’re nonetheless alive,” Musselman stated. “We acquired scorching on the proper time. We stored getting higher in the course of the course of the yr. We had been in a position to play in addition to anybody down the stretch. We’ve had an unimaginable season.”

The Gonzaga-Arkansas winner performs Sunday towards the winner of No. 2 seed Duke (30-6) and No. 3 seed Texas Tech (27-9) with a visit to the Ultimate 4 in New Orleans on the road. Arkansas misplaced to No. 2 seed and eventual champion Baylor final yr within the South Regional remaining, 82-72.

“I went and acquired my haircut at present (in Fayetteville), and all people was speaking in regards to the sport Thursday,” Musselman stated. “There’s an unimaginable, unimaginable buzz. There have been individuals ready on the airport after we landed (Sunday). It’s superior. You by no means can take as a right how onerous it’s to win on this Match. There are lot of nice packages on the market not enjoying.”

Arkansas is a 9.5-point underdog by FanDuel against the Zags.

“Not many individuals,” Musselman stated and laughed. “I shouldn’t say not many individuals, nobody’s speaking about Arkansas even having an opportunity on this sport. I acquired two good eyes, and my Web works actually good. I acquired nice connections, and I haven’t discovered anyone who’s even giving us an opportunity to be in the identical area with Gonzaga. It’s an excellent problem for certain. It’s going to be a lifetime expertise for our guys, with out a query.”