With all of his West Coast ties, it should be expected that Eric Musselman has connections to Arkansas basketball’s first opponent at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Sure enough, his first competition as a collegiate head coach was in a closed-door scrimmage against Stanford, whom the Razorbacks play at 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday in the Bahamas. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
There are other connections, too, but the most direct might be in the form of Sam Little. He was a graduate assistant at Arkansas during the 2021-22 season and helped with scouting opponents. Two years later, with stops at Tarleton State and Prolific Prep in between, he’s now on Stanford’s staff as the Cardinals’ video coordinator.
This is his first season in Palo Alto and one of his earliest assignments is likely helping his new team prepare for his former team.
Whether or not that will be enough for Stanford (3-1) to knock off the No. 20 Razorbacks (3-1) remains to be seen, but certainly adds another level of intrigue to what is expected to be their toughest test yet.
Follow along below for live updates and some highlights from the Arkansas vs Stanford matchup at the Battle 4 Atlantis…
(FOR OUR UPDATED POST-GAME ANALYSIS: Pair of Hogs Exceed Season Total Minutes in Wild 2OT Game + More from Stanford Win
LIVE UPDATES – Arkansas vs Stanford
Pregame Tidbits
Jalen Graham didn’t travel to the Bahamas because he’s still dealing with back spasms.
The Memphis-Michigan game ran long, so Arkansas vs Stanford was pushed back to a 7:02 p.m. CT tip time.
Memphis won that game, so the winner of this matchup will face the Tigers, while the loser will face the Wolverines.
15:44, 1H – Arkansas 5, Stanford 4
After both teams came up empty on their first possession, Arkansas opened the scoring when Mitchell grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up.
It took well over two minutes, but Stanford also got on the board with a layup. It’s been a tough start offensively for both teams.
Brazile took the game’s first 3 and nailed it.
Arkansas’ third turnover – this one by Davenport – sends us to the U16 media timeout.
11:54, 1H – Stanford 9, Arkansas 7
Chandler Lawson and Khalif Battle check in as the first Hogs off the bench.
A nice turnaround jumper near the basket falls for Mark to make it 7-4. However, Stanford answered with a 3 to tie it back up.
Stanford went back on top with a nice up-and-under layup by Angel. The Razorbacks had a chance to answer, but Ellis’ open look for 3 from the corner didn’t fall.
Both teams have turned it over four times within the game’s first 8 minutes.
An air-balled 3 by Stanford sends us to the U12 media timeout.
7:33, 1H – Stanford 13, Arkansas 11
Battle fires up a contested 3 relatively early in the shot clock and doesn’t connect.
Stanford used some good ball movement to get an open look from the corner and knocked down its 3, putting it up 12-7.
Arkansas finally gets a bucket thanks to a mid-range jumper by Davis. It had a chance to cut into the deficit even more after forcing a turnover, but Battle’s drive to the basket didn’t hit the rim and the Hogs turned it over via a shot clock violation.
Davis was called for a carry for his first turnover of the season. It comes nearly 10 minutes into the fifth game of the season.
Arkansas is having a hard time finishing at the rim. Davis himself has missed two layups.
One positive early on has been Brazile’s rebounding.
The Razorbacks had a couple of chances to tie it up or take the lead, but couldn’t get anything to fall. They are now 4 of 19 (21.1%) from the floor, including just 1 of 7 on layups.
3:10, 1H – Arkansas 18, Stanford 18
Davenport air balled a 3, but Lawson grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back up for a rare finish around the rim.
Arkansas still can’t buy a bucket. It continues to throw up brick after brick.
Lawson was fouled under the basket and had a chance to tie it up, but made only 1 of 2 free throws.
An offensive foul late in the shot clock gave the ball back to Arkansas and Mark was fouled driving in for a layup. He made both free throws to give Arkansas a 16-15 lead.
The lead was short-lived, as Stanford answered with a corner 3. But Mark answered with a rare finish to quickly tie it back up.
HALF – Arkansas 22, Stanford 20
Nothing looks smooth for Arkansas on offense.
The Razorbacks got a stop, but Trevon Brazile tried to step over a Stanford player and then lightly kicked the guy. It went to a review and double technicals were assessed, but it probably should have been on just Brazile.
Layden Blocker is getting some run and just knocked down a jumper to tie it up.
A nice jump hook by Mitchell down low gives Arkansas the lead and Stanford calls a timeout with 14.1 seconds left in the half.
Out of the timeout, it looked like Stanford was on the verge of turning it over, but Arkansas was whistled for a questionable foul. Stanford missed the front end of the 1 and 1, though.
16:53, 2H – Stanford 34, Arkansas 27
Stanford opened the half by knocking down a mid-range jumper. After Mark made 1 of 2 free throws, the Cardinal took advantage of a little breathing room by knocking down a 3.
After a turnover by the Hogs, Stanford converts a fast break layup to quickly go up by four.
The Razorbacks’ first bucket comes on an offensive rebound and stick back by Mitchell, but Stanford quickly answered on the other end. It’s already been a much more offensive second half.
Musselman calls a timeout after another Stanford 3. The Cardinal are now 6 of 6 from the floor this half, outscoring Arkansas 14-5.
12:16, 2H – Stanford 42, Arkansas 38
Stanford ended up making its first seven shots of the half before finally air balling a deep 3.
A couple of free throws pushes the Cardinal’s lead to nine out of the media timeout.
Battle has missed all four of his field goals, but has managed to get to the free throw line a couple of times and is 4 of 4.
On the next trip down the floor, though, Battled made a 3. Then, after a turnover, he missed a layup, but Brazile followed with a putback dunk. Suddenly it’s a four-point game.
Arkansas nearly had a stop, forcing a missed 3, but gave up an offensive rebound that led to a bucket.
After a timeout by Stanford, Layden Blocker came up with a steal and had a free run to the basket, but jumped from too far out and couldn’t finish the dunk.
9:38, 2H – Stanford 48, Arkansas 42
After a review, Stanford was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul when Brazile got fouled hard going for an offensive rebound. He made both free throws to make it a two-point game.
Arkansas retained possession after the foul and Lawson scored down low to tie it up.
The Hogs had a couple of chances to take the lead, but couldn’t convert. Instead, Stanford knocks down a 3. After yet another 3 by Stanford, Musselman calls a timeout.
7:40, 2H – Stanford 48, Arkansas 47
Lawson used a nice spin move to score down low. He’s had a really nice game.
Battle picks up his third foul with 8:53 remaining.
Davis just made a very deep 3 to pull the Razorbacks within one.
On the other end, Lawson blocked a shot. He’s been great today – 9 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Davis drove to the basket and was fouled on the ensuing possession. He’ll be shooting free throws when play resumes out of the U8 media timeout.
3:26, 2H – Stanford 54, Arkansas 49
Out of the timeout, Davis missed both free throws. He barely hit front iron on the first attempt.
After another blocked shot by Lawson, Arkansas once again got to the free throw line. It was Mark this time and he made both free throws to put the Hogs in front 49-48.
The Razorbacks had a chance to extend their lead, but Davis’ jumper from the free throw line didn’t fall.
Brazile has been great on the glass today.
After Stanford went back up by three, Arkansas got a great look at a 3 on a drive and kick out by Mark, but Battle couldn’t make it.
Davis missed a step-back 3 on the next trip down and Stanford got an easy dunk out of the pick-and-roll on the other end, pushing the lead to five.
Arkansas will be going to the free throw line when play resumes after the U4 media timeout.
END of REGULATION – Arkansas 59, Stanford 59
After Mark made both free throws, Lawson blocked yet another shot and managed to get the jump ball. Possession arrow gives it to Arkansas.
Brazile missed a follow dunk after Blocker couldn’t finish a layup, but the ball ended up in Mark’s hands and he knocked down a 3 to tie the game at 54-54.
After a travel by Davis erased an opportunity to take the lead, Stanford knocked down a 3 to go up again.
Mark was fouled driving for a layup with 55.1 seconds remaining. He made only 1 of 2 free throws, though.
Lawson just blocked another shot and Stanford calls a timeout with 36.6 seconds left. It will have the ball with 12 seconds on the shot clock when play resumes.
It looked like Arkansas forced a turnover, but Davis was whistled for a foul on the play. It was his fourth foul. Stanford made both free throws to go up four.
After a missed 3 by Davis, Brazile grabbed the offensive rebound (his 14th rebound of the night) and Mark ended up getting fouled with 17.2 seconds left. He made both free throws to make it a two-point game.
Stanford has to burn a timeout when it couldn’t get the ball inbounded.
Arkansas has to foul with 13.8 seconds left. Stanford missed the front end of the 1 and 1 and Brazile got the rebound. The ball ended up with Davis and he pushed it down the floor. He got fouled going for a layup with 6.8 seconds left.
Davis made made both free throws to tie it up. Stanford missed the 3 at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.
END of 1OT – Arkansas 66, Stanford 66
The first points of overtime come on a pair of free throws by Mark.
Brazile just missed another dunk, but got his own rebound and was fouled. He’s up to 16 boards. He then made both free throws to give Arkansas a four-point lead.
On the other end, Stanford got fouled, but missed both free throws.
Nearly 3.5 minutes into it, neither team has made a shot in overtime.
The first bucket is an impressive alley oop by Stanford with 28.3 seconds left. It’s the first field goal by either team and cuts Arkansas’ lead to 63-61.
Brazile is fouled and goes to the line with 20.9 seconds left. He made the first to give him 10 points and a double-double, and Stanford called a timeout. Out of the timeout, he made the second free throw.
Stanford got a dunk with 13.5 seconds left and then Brazile immediately turned it over with 10.7 seconds left. The play was reviewed and stood. Stanford ball.
Out of the review, Davis comes up with a huge steal and was fouled with 4 seconds left. He made only 1 of 2 free throws, though, and Stanford managed to bank in a desperation 3 to force a second overtime.
FINAL – Arkansas 77, Stanford 74 (2OT)
Brazile opens the second overtime by knocking down a wide open corner 3.
Lawson is whistled for the foul on the other end and Stanford makes both free throws.
Battle gets a tough layup to fall on Arkansas’ second possession.
Stanford got a pair of offensive rebounds and on the second, Battle committed a foul – his fourth. Stanford made only 1 of 2 free throws, though.
Battle couldn’t convert on a drive to the basket and then fouled out on the other end, with 2:15 remaining. He finishes with 9 points. Stanford made only 1 of 2 again, so the Hogs still lead by one.
Mark scores on a drive to the hoop to make it 73-70.
Stanford got an offensive rebound and he was on the ground…and Mark bails them out with a foul – his fourth. Stanford missed both free throws, but got the offensive rebound. It also got the offensive rebound after a missed 3. It’s Lawson’s fourth foul. This time the Cardinal made both free throws to make it a one-point game.
Mark again scores on a drive. He stopped on a dime and elevated for a tough bucket. Then Stanford answered with a score of its own.
Mark again, scores on a drive to the left. Stanford calls a timeout with 7.1 seconds left.
Stanford got two looks at a 3, but missed them both.
To see more about the next Arkansas basketball game, go here:
FINAL STATS
HALFTIME STATS
Starting Lineups at Battle 4 Atlantis
| Stanford Basketball | Arkansas Basketball |
|---|---|
| #1 – Jared Bynum – G | #4 – Davonte Davis – G |
| #2 – Andrej Stojakovic – G | #12 – Tramon Mark – G |
| #13 – Michael Jones – G | #24 – Jeremiah Davenport – G |
| #14 – Spencer Jones – F | #2 – Trevon Brazile – F |
| #42 – Maxime Raynaud – F | #15 – Makhi Mitchell – F |
How to Watch Arkansas vs Stanford at Battle 4 Atlantis
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 22
Location: Imperial Arena (Nassau, Bahamas)
Tipoff Time/TV Schedule: 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
ESPN BPI: Arkansas has a 55% chance of winning, favored by 1.5 points.
Betting Line: Arkansas, -6.5 | O/U 154.5 (BetSaracen)
Battle 4 Atlantis Scores
- (14) North Carolina 91, Northern Iowa 69
- Villanova 85, Texas Tech 69
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