Twenty years ago, Eric Musselman was introduced as the new head coach of the Golden State Warriors. After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, he was fired. The Razorbacks upset the top seed in the NCAA tournament in the Bay Area on Thursday when they beat the Zags 74-68. Arkansas is going to the Elite Eight for the second year in a row. Andrew Nembhard hit a 3-pointer with datememe datememe datememe to get within three. Chris Lykes made a pair of free throws to extend the Razorbacks lead back to five. The block by Diese Toney on the layup at the other end ended any hopes of a comeback. With a second to play, Toney dunked. The Razorbacks turned the game around with a couple of runs. In the first half, a projected top-three pick this summer in the latest mock draft, picked up his second foul and didn't return until the second half. Arkansas went on a 15-7 run and won the game. Arkansas increased its lead to eight points shortly after he left the game after he picked up his fourth foul. With 3:29 to play, Holmgren ended his career. Notae scored 21 points. Notae averaged 17 points per game through the first and second round of the playoffs. He shot just 9-for-29 from the field, but he seemed to be involved in every play on both ends of the floor. Arkansas led by nine points when the pump-fake 3-pointer was made. • 8.3% of brackets advanced Arkansas to the Elite 8 (3.7% took it a step further to the Final 4)
• Gonzaga was picked to win it all in 22.8% of brackets, which was the highest amount
• 64.9% of brackets had either Gonzaga, Baylor or Kentucky advancing from the right side of the bracket to play in the final. None of them will be playing in the second weekend, let alone the final game
• Final Four options from the West Region (percentage of brackets in which they were picked to do so): Duke 17.2%; Texas Tech 10.6%; Arkansas: 3.7%
--Of the 17,357,209 men's brackets entered on ESPN.com
Near the five-minute mark, he came up with a loose ball, and Jaylin Williams hit a 3-pointer to help Arkansas regain the lead. Notae was everywhere. His drive cost him a fifth foul.
Jaylin Williams had 15 points and 12 rebound. Wade had 15 points.
The favorite to win the tournament was Gonzaga. Mark Few had led his team to two national championship games. With Timme returning and the arrival of Holmgren, the bulldogs had the makings of a real contender.
The team missed too many shots Thursday night. The Razorbacks missed 15 of their first 19 3-point attempts, but still advanced to play the winner of Texas Tech and Duke on Saturday.
Timme did all he could. He was in a tough spot because of his foul trouble. Timme had five turnovers. It wasn't the night of the man. When that happens in the NCAA tournament, the morning isn't great.
It is not clear what will happen to Gonzaga. Timme could either return or pursue his dream of playing at the next level. The NBA draft will most likely be the reason for the declaration by Holmgren. He will try to get his school's first national championship.
After his team knocked off Gonzaga and broke a lot of brackets, the full-circle moment continued for Musselman.
If anyone would have asked me at that time, I would have told them there was no chance of me coaching in the Sweet 16. Not 10 percent. It was literally zero chance.