Arkansas upsets No. 1 Auburn in historic overtime thriller
The Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off a historic upset Tuesday night, knocking off Auburn 80-76 in Bud Walton Arena in front of a record-setting crowd. The overtime win is the first home victory over a No. 1 team in the AP Poll in school history, and it extends the win streak to nine.
Arkansas’ upset bid over Auburn was led by 28 points, three steals and four blocks from senior guard JD Notae. In addition to his outstanding two-way play, the Razorbacks were able to foul out Auburn center Walker Kessler and guard KD Johnson by attacking the rim and limit the damage done by the Tigers top scorers.
Arkansas center Jaylin Williams, a fan favorite in Bud Walton Arena, scored 13 points with 10 rebounds and two steals as well, going along with backup guard Davonte Davis’ 10 points and five steals.
The crowd played its part too, screaming at full strength for the full 45 minutes of the game, and before tip-off. Things got started early as fans booed the Auburn players who decided to dance on top of the Razorback at center-court. From that point forward, the boos came loud and often, especially when Allen Flanigan touched the ball.
After starting the season on a nine-game win streak, Eric Musselman’s team dropped five of six and looked to be on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament one season after making an Elite Eight run that was ended by eventual champions Baylor. However, the Razorbacks have flipped the script with nine more consecutive wins which feature two top 25 wins, including Tuesday’s over Auburn.
Arkansas gets last laugh
Following the fiery pregame dance from Auburn, which prompted a response from Eric Musselman in his postgame interview with ESPN, the crowd stayed on top of Auburn and ultimately got the last laugh.
As the final buzzer sounded and JD Notae slammed a self-bounced alley-oop through the rim, the fans stormed the court to celebrate the first home victory over a No. 1 ranked team in school history. As Auburn’s players and coaches left the floor quickly and headed to the locker room after the loss, the same fans who booed earlier did their own dance on the center logo.
The fans in Fayetteville, Arkansas have become used to big celebrations and court and field storming with a chance earlier in the school year to party at D.W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium following a win over Texas.