1977–78 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team explained

Year:1977-78
Mode:Basketball
Team:Arkansas Razorbacks
Conference:Southwest Conference
Short Conf:SWC
Coachrank:6
Aprank:5
Record:32–4
Conf Record:14–2
Head Coach:Eddie Sutton
Hc Year:4th
Stadium:Barnhill Arena
Champion:NCAA Tournament Third-Place Game winner
NCAA Tournament West Region champions
Southwest Conference champions
Bowl:NCAA tournament
Bowl Result:Final Four

The 1977–78 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team represented the University of Arkansas. The head coach was Eddie Sutton. He coached the Razorbacks from the 1974-1975 season until the 1984-1985 season.[1] During his tenure as head coach, the Razorbacks ended the season either first or tied for first in the Southwest Conference five times. Under Sutton, the Razorbacks were invited to the NCAA tournament nine times. Sutton's most successful season was 1977-78 when the team reached the Final Four. The Razorbacks lost in the semifinals to the Kentucky Wildcats 64-59 at the Checkerdome arena in St. Louis, Missouri. Arkansas defeated Notre Dame 71-69 in the Third-Place game, which was the last time the Third-Place game was played.

Roster

1977-78 Razorbacks' Roster!POS!Height!Weight!#!Name!Class!Previous School!Hometown
G6-418010Ron BrewerSrNorthsideFort Smith, AR
G6-419032Sidney MoncriefJrHallLittle Rock, AR
G6-418044Marvin DelphSrConwayConway, AR
C6-1022030Steve SchallJrSouthRaytown, MO
F6-719642Jim CounceSrWhite StationMemphis, TN
G6-217524U.S ReedFrPine BluffPine Bluff, AR
C6-922050James CrocketFrWest HelenaWest Helena, AR
G6-418011Michael WatleyFrDunbarFort Worth, TX
C6-10Steve BatesFrWayneFort Wayne, IN
G6-519014Chris BennettSoLittle Rock CatholicLittle Rock, AR
F6-720020Alan ZahnSoManzanoAlbuquerque, NM
G6-418534Mike YoungFrCentral NobleWolflake, IN

Schedule and Results

|-!colspan=12 style=| Regular season|-!colspan=12 style=| SWC tournament|-!colspan=12 style=| NCAA tournament[2] [3]

Achievements

Sutton left as head coach after the 1984-85 season with a Conference record of 139-35 (79.9%). He would go on to coach three more schools (Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and San Francisco) and retire in 2008.[4] He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.[5]

Ron Brewer was the Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. He became the 7th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1978 NBA draft.[6]

Sidney Moncrief was drafted the following year by the Milwaukee Bucks 5th overall in the 1979 NBA draft, and became a five time NBA All-Star and was awarded a spot on the All-NBA First Team in 1983.[7] His jersey was retired by the Bucks.[8]

Marvin Delph was drafted the same year as Brewer but in the 3rd round (65th overall) by the Buffalo Braves and then drafted again the next year by the Boston Celtics in the 6th round of the 1979 NBA draft along with Moncrief but never played in the NBA.

U. S. Reed was drafted in the 5th round (104th overall pick) in the 1981 NBA draft by the Kansas City Kings, but never played in the NBA.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HogStats.com :: Arkansas Basketball Coaches. www.hogstats.com. 2018-11-15.
  2. Web site: 1977-78 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. en. 2018-09-21.
  3. Web site: HogStats.com :: 1977-78 Arkansas Basketball Schedule. www.hogstats.com. 2018-09-21.
  4. Web site: Longtime Oklahoma State coach Sutton retires. 2006-05-19. ESPN.com. en. 2019-01-18.
  5. Web site: Legendary Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton is Hall of Fame candidate. McGalliard. Grant. daytondailynews. English. 2019-01-18. 2019-01-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121503/https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/college/legendary-oklahoma-state-coach-eddie-sutton-hall-fame-candidate/1Wq20d1yWtklGnGCENt7OI/. dead.
  6. Web site: NBA.com: 1978 NBA Draft, First Round. www.nba.com. 2018-11-15.
  7. Web site: NBA History: Sidney Moncrief. www.nba.com. 2019-01-18.
  8. News: The Milwaukee Bucks retired Sidney Moncrief's jersey Tuesday night.... UPI. 2018-11-15. en.