Paced by B.J Young’s 15 points, the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the #19 Michigan Wolverines 66-64 in front of a season high crowd of 19,050 on Saturday. The Hogs improve to 14-5 on the season, while remaining 2-2 in conference. Arkansas put on an offensive display in the first half, and managed to hold off Michigan’s second half comeback, with a little luck to stay a perfect 14-0 at home this season. Trey Burke’s game-winning 3 rattled out to extinguish any hope for Michigan to steal a win at Bud Walton. “I thought it was a great game,” said coach Mike Anderson. “It was a good win for our team and our program.”
Arkansas built a 46-33 halftime lead shooting an impressive 65% from the field, and starting the game 11-11, including 4-4 from 3 point range in that stretch, while holding Michigan to a meager 39% from the floor.
The 2nd half proved to be a game of survival for the Hogs as Michigan mounted an impressive comeback, getting within 2 of the Razorbacks late in the game, sparked by John Novak shooting 5-7 from 3 point range. With less than a minute to play, Young found fellow freshman Hunter Mickelson off a pick and roll with a tricky pass. Mickelson hit the tough shot giving Arkansas a 66-62 lead. Michigan would pull within 2 once again, and poor free throw shooting by the Hogs allowed Michigan to have one final chance at the end.
“I thought our young guys played really well, we really bounced back in a positive way,” said Anderson.
Arkansas sustained a couple of injuries on the day. Senior Marvell Waithe left the game after only playing 2 minutes and would not return after suffering a strained calf, while Young rose up for a dunk midway through the 2nd half, and was undercut by Novak, who was given a flagrant foul but not ejected. Young took an elbow to the face, and landed hard on the floor, but entered the game the very next play to help push the Hogs to the win.
Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena Wednesday to face the Auburn Tigers. Tip-off is set for 8pm, and can be seen on the SEC Network.
These are the highlights from the game this weekend.
This is Mike Anderson’s post game interview.