Moments after embracing with Head Coach Eric Musselman, Arkansas Razorbacks junior guard Davonte “Devo” Davis fought back tears in his postgame interview after scoring 21 second half points to help the eight seeded Razorbacks erase a 12-point deficit to defeat the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks 72-71. It was the first time this season Kansas (28-8) lost after leading at halftime.
Using typical sports terminology one could say that Davis, a Jacksonville native, put the team on his back or that he gave it everything he’s got or he took it to another level — all are true of his NCAA Tournament career high 25 point performance, just one point shy of his career record with the Hogs.
Musselman called Davis’s performance “absolutely incredible,” before remarking “I feel like he’s my son. I love this kid so much.”
— Davonte Davis⁉️ (@MrDevoBuckets) March 19, 2023
“I love you, man!!” 🥲🐗
Eric Musselman embraces his family and holds Devo Davis with tears of joy after Arkansas knocks off #1 Kansas. pic.twitter.com/6aqaVmKyV7
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) March 19, 2023
Junior guard Ricky Council IV added 21 points, including three crucial free throws late in the game to help the Razorbacks (22-13) maintain the lead. Davis fouled out with just under two minutes left in the game. Freshman Jordan Walsh had 10 points.
The game took place at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. After the buzzer, the players went straight over to the Razorbacks’ section of the arena to celebrate with fans. Musselman joined them, jumping up on a table before removing his signature polo shirt and waving it around in the air in celebration. If my calculations are correct, it’s the first time Musselman’s removed his shirt in a moment of sports glory since the Razorbacks defeated No. 1 Auburn on February 8, 2022 when his arm was in a sling.
ARKANSAS ELIMINATES THE CHAMPS 😱
THE RAZORBACKS ARE DANCING ON TO THE #SWEET16 🐗#MarchMadness @RazorbackMBB pic.twitter.com/zTh7QTEPuZ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
Arkansas' W over Kansas feels like a movie 🔥 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/47YPoAPH23
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
🐗 Woo Pig Sooie! #MarchMadness
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) March 18, 2023
SEEDS AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A NUMBER pic.twitter.com/zF6N6CBp5n
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) March 19, 2023
The Hogs move on to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year. They will face either Connecticut or St. Mary’s next Thursday in Las Vegas.
Arkansas on its way to the Sweet 16 like pic.twitter.com/8VqvgRBqzm
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 18, 2023
