How Billy Richmond's defense saved Arkansas basketball in High Point win
Arkansas basketball's Billy Richmond III made crucial defensive plays, including a strip and a block, to save the Hogs' March Madness run.
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.
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.