The looming question as the NCAA Tournament approaches this year isn’t about who will emerge victorious but rather whether the league can maintain its lofty status without the guiding presence of Arkansas coach Eric Musselman.
The tournament landscape is notably dotted with SEC teams, despite some boasting unimpressive win-loss records. This phenomenon owes much to the conference’s reputation, largely upheld by Musselman’s efforts over the past three seasons.
In 2021, besides the No. 2 seeded Alabama, it was Arkansas that stood out, progressing beyond the initial rounds. Alabama, however, faltered, succumbing to UCLA in the Sweet 16. In contrast, Arkansas reached the Elite 8, offering a formidable challenge to eventual national champions Baylor.
The subsequent year, the SEC, apart from Arkansas, faced an early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Notably, Kentucky suffered a shocking loss to St. Peter’s in the first round, while Auburn endured an 18-point drubbing by Michigan in the second round.
Meanwhile, Musselman steered Arkansas to the limelight, upsetting No. 1 Gonzaga before bowing out to Duke in the Elite 8.
Even in 2023, with Arkansas barely making the tournament cut with a losing SEC record, the rest of the conference couldn’t outshine them. Though Tennessee showed promise by reaching the Sweet 16, they stumbled against Florida Atlantic. Alabama, once ranked No. 1, fell short against San Diego State, a team Arkansas had previously conquered.
Though Arkansas fell short of their usual Elite 8 berth in 2023, they did secure a significant win against defending champions Kansas en route to the Sweet 16. Notably, Arkansas never lost to a lower-seeded team, contrasting with the SEC’s 11 losses to underdogs, often in dramatic fashion.
As teams jest about Arkansas missing the tournament this year, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the SEC’s 20-14 record owes much to riding on Musselman’s coattails, rather than the collective merit of other teams over the past three seasons.
