LAS VEGAS — Eric Musselman’s polo shirt — him taking it off, to be precise — has been a hot topic of conversation on radio and television shows and podcasts covering the NCAA Tournament.
Taking off his shirt is something Musselman started doing after big wins at Nevada when he was coaching the Wolf Pack, and it’s a habit he’s carried over into his four seasons as coach of the University of Arkansas.
The latest instance of Musselman, 58, going shirtless came after the Razorbacks beat No. 1 seed Kansas 72-71 last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Musselman was asked about taking his shirt off during his news conference Wednesday to preview tonight’s Arkansas-Connecticut game in the West Region semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.
“It happened in Nevada,” Musselman said. “I don’t know how or why.
“I wasn’t planning on doing it the other night (after beating Kansas). But one of our hosts (in Des Moines) was begging me, even after the first game. He was one of the guys who came with us.
“I mean, I guess my emotions got the best of me. My wife (Danyelle) is not always happy about it.
“But it’s not something we plan to do all the time. It’s just kind of… emotions that run through you, and I guess you get to a certain age and you kind of do it just because.
Arkansas senior forward Kamani Johnson was asked what he thought about Musselman taking his shirt off to celebrate big wins.
“I always say a happy Muss is a happy us,” Johnson said. “No more shirts, it’s good for us.”
Additional preparation
The Eric Musselman-led teams in Arkansas and Nevada presented a challenge with several days to prepare for a game.
Last Thursday, the No. 8 seed Razorbacks defeated No. 9 seed Illinois 73-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. The victory improved Musselman’s record in games after more than four days of rest to 52-10 overall and 26-4 in Arkansas.
The Razorbacks, who face No. 4 seed Connecticut tonight after four days off, are 8-1 this season in this scenario. Their only loss came on December 28 at LSU in the SEC opener.
Musselman’s teams have won eight straight postseason games and five straight NCAA Tournament games, including No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga in last year’s Sweet 16 after four days of rest or more.
The Huskies are 8-0 this season after more than four days of rest.
Sharing is caring
Few college basketball teams have shared the ball like Connecticut this season.
The Huskies average 17.4 assists per game. Xavier, the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region, is the only team remaining in the NCAA tournament with a higher average (19.2).
According to KenPom, a college basketball analytics website, the Huskies have contributed on 64.1 percent of their field goals. This is the fourth highest mark among Sweet 16 teams.
Connecticut has recorded 20 or more assists 13 times, and is 12-1 in those games. The Huskies had 29 assists in a 114-61 win over Long Island University in December.
The Huskies averaged 9.5 assists in their first and second round wins over Iona and Saint Mary’s last week.
Difficult schedules
Arkansas and Connecticut play in the SEC and Big East, which each have three teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament to lead all conferences.
Alabama and Tennessee are SEC teams with Arkansas in the Sweet 16 and Connecticut is joined by fellow Big East members Creighton and Xavier.
The strength of the SEC and Big East is reflected in the NCAA Tournament teams the Razorbacks and Huskies have faced this season.
Tonight will be Arkansas’ 20th game against an NCAA Tournament team, including first- and second-round wins over Illinois and Kansas last week.
The Razorbacks are 8-11 against NCAA Tournament teams, including 6-11 in the SEC.
Connecticut is 7-6 against NCAA Tournament teams, including first- and second-round wins over Iona and Saint Mary’s last week. The Huskies are 4-6 against Big East teams that have made the NCAA Tournament.
Family ties
Arkansas senior forward Jalen Graham is excited to play close to home.
Graham, a Phoenix native, transferred to Arkansas after playing the previous three seasons at his hometown Arizona State.
Phoenix is less than a five-hour drive from Las Vegas.
Graham’s mother, brother, twin sister and a few former Arizona State roommates will be on hand tonight for the Razorbacks’ game against Connecticut.
This will be the first time this season that his family will watch him in person.
“To see them come to this game and be a part of it is amazing,” Graham said. “It’s a big deal for me and I’m happy they can get out. They are just people very close to me who have been part of my life for years and who come to support me.
Graham is also no stranger to T-Mobile Arena, where the Pac-12 tournament has been held since 2017. He played three games in the arena with the Sun Devils.
“I played a lot in this area. I’m used to that,” Graham said. “It’s fun. There’s a great atmosphere.”
Common enemies
Arkansas and Connecticut had three common opponents this season: Alabama, Florida and Creighton.
The Razorbacks went 0-2 against the Crimson Tide, losing 84-69 at home and 86-83 on the road. They lost to Creighton 90-87 at the Maui Invitational and beat Florida 84-65 at home.
The Huskies beat Alabama 82-67 in Portland, Ore., beat Florida 75-54 and went 1-1 against Creighton, beating the Bluejays 69-60 at home and losing 56-53 on the road.