ESPN: Former sports agent holds the belief that Arkansas Razorback’s Zvonimir Ivisic has the potential to become NCAA’s most…..

Arkansas finally got over the hump with its backs against the wall against red-hot No. 15 Missouri on Saturday, 92-85. It had been flirting with some huge wins in recent games. Having three Top 10 teams — Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn — on the ropes before failing in the past two weeks.

Before launching a 51-point second half frenzy to turn an eight-point halftime deficit into a much-needed trademark triumph at Bud Walton Arena, Arkansas seemed to be headed in a same direction versus Missouri. Five Razorbacks scored in double-figures and all eight made at least one basket and grabbed a rebound in a balanced and fierce team performance evocative of thunderous victory at Kentucky and Texas earlier in the month.

The Razorbacks answered with their backs against the wall and adopted a new slogan suggested by coach John Calipari instead of allowing the memories of past tough beats creep in. At Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas Razorbacks forward Zvonimir Ivisic against the Missouri Tigers / Nilsen Roman-Hogs

“We’ve been close; today I broke out the “refuse to lose.” It makes no difference what you do, how you do it, refuse to lose,” he stated. “Refrain from losing while the game is late-running.

“We lost to the one-team, the two-team, and the six or seven-team. We lost this squad as a top-10 team as well. Should they beat us today, they most likely were 8 or 9. That was a big-time win, thus you know what we have to do now? Indeed, we have four of seven medals. 4-3; let us keep on right now. Good victory, though.”

For Arkansas, the victory looms big in several spheres. The Hogs were sorely in need of a resume boost after starting the day on ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s “Last 4 In” list, particularly given other SEC bubble teams Vanderbilt and Oklahoma picked up significant successes.

Arkansas is positioned for an at-large berth with at least a 2-2 finish to the regular season with a fourth Quad 1 victory under its belt and a consistent ascent in critical criteria used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

“Everybody viewing this team is aware of our improvement. We just have to finish now, Calipari remarked. “The best part about this league is that every game you play is a Quad 1 game. The worst thing about this league—every time you play… Simply said, it’s really difficult.

For clarity’s sake, Arkansas’s remaining schedule calls for one certain Quad 1 chance at Vanderbilt and a Quad 2 at South Carolina. Right on the line with the opponent needing to be inside the NET top 30 to qualify as Q1, home games against Texas and Mississippi State. Still, Arkansas has just quality games left on the schedule and no significant land mines.

The issue always comes down to consistency with the Razorbacks and whether or not Saturday’s outstanding effort is any guide of what is to come forward. Calipari sees his team’s confidence and great instinct as the road to ongoing success.

“You know the kind of playing we want from you. Go go play,” Calipari advised. You are going to make mistakes. Following play. Continue forward. You are interested in us, the scout, effort and diving. There were guys among us who were either attempting to play perfect or — you ready — not to lose.

“You know in football prevent defense? It hinders you from winning. In basketball, when you play not to lose, eight of ten times you lose. You have to participate to win. You really have to keep aggressive. You have to perform the given plays. “