Tuesday’s school basketball recreation between No. 14 Michigan (8-2) and Arkansas (8-2) felt like an NCAA Match recreation being performed in December.
It was a recreation that encapsulated basketball’s status as a recreation of runs. Michigan held a 15-point lead with six minutes to play within the first half, however the Razorbacks managed to chop the Michigan benefit right down to 4 at halftime.
Within the second half, it was Arkansas that obtained sizzling. A barrage of three-point baskets helped Arkansas construct an 18-point cushion with 10 minutes to play.
However the feisty Wolverines clawed their manner again into the competition, and on the closing media timeout, they solely trailed by six. With 31 seconds to go, Michigan was solely down by one, 88-87, and possessed by basketball.
What occurred subsequent was an extremely clutch sequence from Arkansas ahead Trevon Brazile. After lacking two free-throw makes an attempt on Arkansas’ earlier possession, Brazile made maybe crucial play of the night time, blocking Vladislav Goldin’s layup with 15 seconds to go, securing the rebound and drawing a foul.
Brazile hit one in all his two ensuing free throws, and with 3.7 seconds to go, Michigan had the ball and an opportunity to win the sport or push it into additional time.
On an evening when offense reigned supreme, Arkansas’ protection got here up clutch when it mattered most. The Razorbacks knocked the ball away, forcing Roddy Gayle Jr. to take a low-percentage jumper on the buzzer.
When the mud settled inside Madison Sq. Backyard, it was Arkansas strolling away with an extremely hard-fought victory that may possible put it again contained in the AP Prime 25, assuming a Razorback victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday.
New York native Boogie Fland led Arkansas with 20 factors, with D.J. Wagner, (16 factors) Brazile, (15 factors) Adou Thiero (13 factors) and Jonas Aidoo (11 factors) all reaching double figures. Michigan was led by 17 factors from Goldin, in addition to 14 from ahead Danny Wolf.
Arkansas will play Central Arkansas in Little Rock on Saturday afternoon, whereas Michigan can have eight days of relaxation earlier than dealing with No. 13 Oklahoma on Dec. 18.
