FAYETTEVILLE — During halftime of Arkansas’ SEC opener at Auburn on Wednesday, Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman made a decision that would wind up paying big dividends.
With graduate transfer forward Justin Smith sidelined with a right ankle injury, he opted to give true freshman Davonte Davis his first extended run in three weeks against the Tigers. Then, with less than seven minutes to play and Arkansas clinging to a 76-74 lead, Jalen Tate picked up his fourth foul.
Suddenly, the Razorbacks needed Davis, making his debut in the SEC, to contribute at a critical juncture of the game.