How Billy Richmond's defense saved Arkansas basketball in High Point win
· Yahoo Sports
PORTLAND, Ore. — Arkansas basketball needed a savior on the defensive end. Billy Richmond III answered the call.
The Hogs had no answer for a dynamic High Point dynamic offense during the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers got to the paint at will and made a clutch 3-pointer anytime it felt like John Calipari's Razorbacks were about to seize control. For long stretches of the second half, it felt like March Madness was on the verge of an early closer for Arkansas.
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But Richmond, the lone Hog on this year's All-SEC Defensive Team, stepped up when his team needed him most. On back-to-back possessions inside the final minutes, Richmond stripped and blocked High Point leading scorer Terry Anderson. At the other end, Darius Acuff Jr. went on a personal 7-0 run to send the Hogs into the Sweet 16.
The No. 4 Razorbacks (28-8) beat the Panthers (31-5) 94-88 on Saturday, March 21. In a game in which both offenses looked unstoppable, two defensive plays from Richmond may have saved Arkansas' season.
"Nothing fazes (Richmond)," Calipari said. "Like, he does something dumb, he'll look at me and just say, 'That's me, I got it.'
"We call him Billy Goat because he just does stuff that normal players don't do. How hard he plays, the plays he comes, like how did he make that play?"
Richmond did a little bit of everything on the defensive end against High Point. He guarded every position aside for the Panthers' center, spending separate time trying to limit the 5-foot-10 Rob Martin and the 6-foot-7 Cam'Ron Fletcher.
In the end, his two biggest plays came against Anderson, who had his way against Trevon Brazile in the first half. Foul trouble prevented Anderson from a big night, as the senior scored 15 points in 24 minutes.
"He's one of the best defenders in the country," Arkansas assistant Chin Coleman said. "We trust Billy. He's our Swiss Army Knife, and he's always willing to do whatever it takes for our team to win."
Richmond also provided a game-changing moment against the Panthers with his offense.
Calipari called timeout with 14:17 remaining when it felt like the game was slipping away. High Point was in the midst of a 10-0 run and had its biggest lead of the night at 56-52.
Arkansas emerged from the timeout in desperate need of a bucket. Richmond, a 23.6% 3-point shooter who has worked tirelessly on that part of his game, drained a corner triple to make it 56-55.
Arkansas could breathe again. On the next possession, Trevon Brazile made a 3 to restore the Hogs' lead.
"That's the type of player he is," D.J. Wagner said. "He makes clutch plays."
Acuff carried Arkansas home with 36 points.
Richmond's defense ensured the sensational freshman had the opportunity to keep Arkansas' season alive.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Billy Richmond's defense saves Arkansas basketball season