USC employed Arkansas males’s basketball coach Eric Musselman for a similar position, it introduced Thursday, filling a emptiness created when former Trojans coach Andy Enfield left this system for SMU in March.
Over 5 years at Arkansas, Musselman amassed a 111-59 report and three NCAA Event bids. The Razorbacks adopted up back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2021 and 2022 with a visit to the Candy Sixteen in 2023. A 16-17 report in 2023-24, which was the worst of Musselman’s tenure, stored Arkansas out of the Huge Dance this yr.
Earlier than touchdown in Fayetteville, Ark., Musselman spent 4 years teaching the Nevada Wolf Pack. He racked up 110 wins with solely 34 losses, three regular-season Mountain West championships, a convention event title and three NCAA Event journeys.
Musselman’s predecessor, Enfield, led USC to 5 NCAA Event appearances in 11 seasons. The furthest the Trojans superior underneath Enfield was the Elite Eight in 2021 when the workforce had Evan Mobley, who was the Pac-12 Participant of the 12 months that season earlier than the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him third within the 2021 NBA Draft.
How will Musselman match at USC?
Musselman breathed life and fireplace right into a previously dormant Arkansas program, reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Event three straight years earlier than a disappointing season in 2023-24.
USC basketball operates largely within the shadows, which is comprehensible within the saturated L.A. market. Musselman can at the least draw consideration along with his fondness for social media (some would say self) promotion. On the identical time, he additionally burns actually sizzling, which could be an fascinating slot in laid-back Southern California. USC’s roster has already begun a mass exodus, however Musselman, the grasp of the switch portal, ought to have the ability to restock rapidly. — Brian Bennett, senior editor
What’s subsequent for Arkansas?
Arkansas ought to have the ability to entice a robust candidate right here, particularly because it proved it may possibly compete on the highest degree underneath Musselman. The fan help is pretty much as good because it will get within the SEC, outdoors of Kentucky. If the Razorbacks are keen to tackle some danger, they might look to Ole Miss coach Chris Beard, who as soon as coached at Arkansas-Little Rock, or McNeese State’s Will Wade, the previous LSU coach. Or they might go a a lot safer route with somebody like Jerome Tang at Kansas State. There’s no cause they shouldn’t purpose excessive. — Bennett
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