Every year when the SEC Baseball Tournament rolls around, a contingent of Arkansas fans and media proclaim coach Dave Van Horn would be better off not making the conference title game. The thinking goes that the Razorbacks are better served with more fresh pitchers for the NCAA Tournament the following week.
If Arkansas loses sooner, the longer those pitchers have to rest their arms for the tourney that really matters. Such a notion isn’t unwise, but it does suggest that players and coaches who were taught to give it their all from practically toddler-hood let off the give-it-your-all talk and let come what may.