New Razorbacks-Longhorns basketball rivalry can never match craziness of Strollin’ Nolan and Runnin’ Horns clashes
If anyone brings up Arkansas and Texas basketball, most graybeards immediately think of Strollin’ Nolan Richardson and Tom Penders. That’s back when Hogs and Horns meant something in the Southwest Conference. Unfortunately, it was also back before all of today’s current players were born. Today, Arkansas is just another game, the next game, on the […]
If anyone brings up Arkansas and Texas basketball, most graybeards immediately think of Strollin’ Nolan Richardson and Tom Penders. That’s back when Hogs and Horns meant something in the Southwest Conference.
Unfortunately, it was also back before all of today’s current players were born.
Today, Arkansas is just another game, the next game, on the SEC schedule to those in burnt orange.
The Razorbacks (13-8, 2-6 SEC) have a household name leading the way in John Calipari. But he’s not likely to grab his sportscoat and leave the floor with 14 seconds left after an intentional foul call goes against the Hogs.
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Texas coach Rodney Terry would just prefer his fans show up Wednesday night with the same energy they once had for the Runnin’ Horns in their heyday.
Texas (15-7, 4-5) needs another win for its NCAA Tournament resume. Arkansas is coming off a stunning win at Kentucky in Calipari’s much-hyped return to Rupp Arena.
“Those were big-time games,” Terry said of the Arkansas-Texas rivalry during the 1980s and early ’90s. “Watching those games and seeing those games on TV, the rivalry with Arkansas is huge.
“We need a very difficult place to play in come Wednesday night. We need Moody to be rocking at another level, because we know when we go in Fayetteville, it’ll be sold out over in Fayetteville when the Horns are coming down.”
If there’s one particular season to focus on, it’s the three games during the 1989-90 campaign. Arkansas won the first game at home 109-100 and won the rematch in overtime 103-96 in Austin.
The second game is more famous as Richardson left the court early after what he perceived was a bad intentional foul call on Lee Mayberry. The Hogs hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force OT, and Richardson returned to the bench, which drove everybody crazy at the Erwin Center.
It was easily one of the top five games ever in Erwin Center history.
The two teams met again in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. Texas’ famous trio of BMW — Lance Blanks, Travis Mays and Joey Wright — couldn’t hold off Mayberry, Lenzie Howell and Mario Credit.
It was a sensational basketball rivalry until Arkansas left the SWC for the Southeastern Conference. The next game after the 1990-91 season would come until Dec. 20, 2006. They played a few times off and on during the 2010s, but now it should be an annual affair once again.
Arkansas holds the all-time series lead 87-68 in games that date back to February 1924.
“It's a big deal, and it's a great rivalry in college athletics to have our two institutions compete again at a very high level,” Terry said.
