- The Arkansas men’s basketball team defeated the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.
- Arkansas coach Eric Musselman was so excited that he jumped on a table and took off his jersey.
- He told CBS that he “has never been more proud of a team” than this weekend.
Arkansas men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman was so excited about his team’s win over the Kansas Jayhawks that he jumped over a table, took off his jersey, and helicoptered it over his head.
The Arkansas Razorbacks entered the NCAA Men’s Tournament as the eighth seed and faced the Jayhawks, the No. 1 team in the West and the defending national champions, in the second round on Saturday. Although Arkansas trailed for most of the matchup, a late-game lead propelled them to a tight 72-71 victory. by CBS Sports.
After the win, Musselman celebrated his team’s advancement to the Sweet Sixteen by jumping on a press table in front of the fans. taking off his shirtand waving it above his head:
—NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2023
Postgame photos also showed a shirtless Musselman hugging players and staff on the court.
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman celebrates his team’s victory over the Kansas Jayhawks during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The coach seemed unable to contain his excitement in the locker room, where he was doused with water as he entered.
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman celebrates his team’s victory over Kansas in the locker room at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023.
Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
“It’s such an incredible win for our program,” Musselman told CBS Sports after the game. “I keep telling people we keep getting better. Not many teams can get better this time of year. I’ve never been more proud of a team than tonight.”
Still, this isn’t the first time the coach’s enthusiasm has landed him at the top of a table.
In March 2018, Musselman, who was the head coach of the University of Nevada men’s basketball team from 2015 to 2019, celebrated his team’s win over No. 2 Cincinnati by removing his shirt and tie, jumping on a table and climbing through the crowd. , according to USA Today.
—Wayne McGahee III (@WayneMcGaheeIII) March 19, 2018
The outlet described Musselman’s reaction as a “primal whoop” as the Nevada Wolf Pack made the second-biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history.
