We knew there would be madness. We knew there would be chaos. We didn’t know there would be two wedgies (when the basketball gets stuck between the rim and backboard) less than five minutes into Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team’s opening NCAA Tournament matchup versus The Fighting Illinis of Illinois. That’s the kind of March Madness that can’t be predicted. If a first half double wedgie bet existed on the Bet Saracen app and you put $100 on it, you’d probably be taking the rest of the tournament off work to just enjoy the games and rest during the week.
"It's the rarest of all feats, it's a double wedgie in Des Moines" 🤣#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/9cBkDUagpM
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2023
There were a record six wedgies today across all games, and the night was still relatively young as I wrote this at 9:49 p.m.
The 8-seeded Hogs (21-13, 8-10 SEC) were led by junior guard Ricky Council IV, who had his first double double as a Razorback with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Heck of a time for your first double-double as a HOG @Rickythe4th pic.twitter.com/of1ztX2u3I
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 16, 2023
Junior guard Davonte “Devo” Davis — who seems to be at his absolute best in March — was disruptive for Illinois in every way possible, forcing turnovers, grabbing rebounds and knocking down three pointers. Davis finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four steals.
March Devo sighting pic.twitter.com/Ojf2WEK72V
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 16, 2023
“Devo is always ready for the moment.”
On Devo Davis turning in another NCAA Tournament gem against Illinois on Thursday, and leading Arkansas from a production and emotion standpoint: https://t.co/xLPt6hNyHH pic.twitter.com/4Px6LSP2eT
— Scottie Bordelon (@NWAScottie) March 17, 2023
Devo Davis will be the first player in team history to play against three NCAA Tournament 1 seeds for @RazorbackMBB.
Note, Reggie Merritt was on the team during three games against 1 seeds in the '90s but only played in one of those games https://t.co/RGTHIlIBOM
— HogStats.com (@HogStats) March 16, 2023
Some March moments are just too big, and the madness can’t be contained. For the Razorbacks that moment occurred when freshman guard Nick Smith Jr. fouled his own teammate, senior forward Kamani Johnson, after Johnson made a basket under the rim between three Illinois defenders.
😂😂😂 I got to hyped my bad my boy @KamaniJohnson20 https://t.co/5LvIS981Kz
— Nick Smith Jr (@lif3nick) March 16, 2023
The Razorbacks defeated 9-seeded Illinois 73-63. Razorbacks Head Coach Eric Musselman is now 3-0 in the first round of the tournament since joining the Hogs in the 2019-2020 season, and his shoes are always impeccable.
Fit check 🐗 pic.twitter.com/3YX1jTjPbV
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 16, 2023
Three straight opening round Ws for @RazorbackMBB 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/zcnhioegZj
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 16, 2023
Immaculate vibes for the Razorbacks 🕺#MarchMadness @RazorbackMBB pic.twitter.com/TYNpIAoW46
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2023
You simply must hit play on the tweet below to see the locker room celebration, one of Musselman’s greatest strengths.
WE PLAY ANOTHER DAY pic.twitter.com/IqJib5oOqL
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 16, 2023
Before the game, Musselman got to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentlemen Douglas Emhoff. Vice President Harris was in Des Moines to see her alma mater, No. 16 seed Howard University, play No. 1 seed Kansas.
Really cool getting to meet the @VP and @SecondGentleman before the game today! #WPS pic.twitter.com/8ow3hcENXn
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) March 16, 2023
Illinois fans were dejected but respectful in the Twitter comment sections despite all the memes from Razorback fans and Twitter trolls.
Razorbacks like to dance! 🐗 👏 @RazorbackMBB advance! pic.twitter.com/UPeqz3Xnvw
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 16, 2023
The Hogs will play Kansas on CBS at 4:15 p.m. Saturday in the round of 32.
Sleep tight Hogs, we've got more dancing to do pic.twitter.com/PGbAzO3YRs
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 17, 2023
