Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
The Arkansas Razorbacks seemed to be out of the NCAA tournament talk a long time ago, but in a league that is struggling as much as the SEC has been recently, the Razorbacks have a chance. The Razorbacks all but knocked the Kentucky Wildcats out of the NCAA tournament with a victory on Saturday, while boosting their tournament resume significantly. This Razorback team is on a mission to make the tournament and is quietly moving up the ranks in the SEC.
B.J. Young is one of the most underrated sophomores in the country. When he plays well, Arkansas can compete with the best teams in the SEC (like the Razorbacks showed with their huge win against the then No. 2 Florida Gators). The Razorbacks are talented, but young, and that can play a huge factor when every team in the league has about the same record. Arkansas has to play at its best to beat some of the more experienced SEC teams.
Related: Why the Florida Gators Will Not Win the SEC Tournament
Arkansas is tied for sixth in the SEC with the Tennessee Volunteers – one game behind the all important four spot and double-bye in the SEC tournament. Arkansas is most likely already in the NIT, but a strong SEC tournament performance after closing out the season with wins could change that into the NCAA.
The Razorbacks take on the Missouri Tigers Tuesday night, and if Arkansas wins, don’t be surprised if they somehow sneak onto the NCAA bubble talk until the SEC tournament. Arkansas has every opportunity to play their way into the NCAA tournament; they just can’t have an off game and play like they did in a 21 point loss to one of the SEC bottom dwellers, the South Carolina Gamecocks. The experience of the NCAA tournament would greatly enhance the young Razorbacks’ chances of succeeding in the SEC next year.
