Razorbacks play UALR for Richardson Court unveiling

Hogs, Trojans to meet for first time in weekend exhibition

www.arkansasrazorbacks.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Nolan Richardson Court at Bud Walton Arena blends the classic and unmistakable look of the Arkansas Razorbacks, pays homage to the program’s unique relationship with the state, while paying tribute to its Hall of Fame and national championship winning namesake and his style of play.

The design combines elements of both the current and classic Razorback identity, with the signature of the man who led Arkansas to unprecedented success in men’s basketball.

The Classic Razorback is the centerpiece of the new floor design. Measuring 10 feet and 3 inches tall and 23 feet and nine inches long, the signature Razorback showcases Nolan Richardson Court at Bud Walton Arena in a way to make it clear to those watching on television throughout the nation and around the world that this is the University of Arkansas – the Home of the Razorbacks.

The Razorbacks represent more than just the University of Arkansas – they represent an entire state.

We are ONE state rallied around ONE Razorback. In recognition of that special relationship, a darker wood stain, at the center of the court, depicts an outline of the state of Arkansas. The specially designed outline measures 26.5 feet high and 32 feet long, at its widest point, and encompasses the Classic Razorback featured at midcourt.

In a tribute to Hall of Famer and former Arkansas head men’s basketball coach, the court features two customized logos in celebration of the naming of Nolan Richardson Court. The logos, measuring 6 feet high and 10 feet long, feature Coach Richardson’s original signature as well as a Slobbering Hog logo. One logo is located near the home bench on the north side of the court while the second logo is located opposite the visitor bench on the south side of the court near the TV Broadcast table.

The Slobbering Hog Logo was previously at midcourt of Barnhill Arena and Bud Walton Arena and became synonymous with Coach Richardson’s signature “40 Minutes of Hell” style of play during Coach Richardson’s 17-year tenure at the University of Arkansas.

A Slobbering Hog is included in each of the Nolan Richardson Court logos.

Both lanes include a cardinal Southeastern Conference logo measuring four feet and six inches high by four feet and six inches long. Arkansas joined the SEC in men’s and women’s basketball in the 1991-92 season, after previously competing in the Southwest Conference.

Nolan Richardson Court includes a pair of threepoint arcs with a 22 feet, 1.75 inches arc for men’s basketball and a 20 feet, 9 inches arc for women’s basketball. The area inside the women’s three-point arc, including the lane, is accented by a darker stained wood.

Located just below the basket in the lane on the west end of the court is a special on court marking commemorating the first dunk in Bud Walton Arena. The dunk was made on a temporary goal by the arena’s namesake, Bud Walton, as part of special groundbreaking ceremonies on October 23, 1991.

The marking has been a part of every court since Bud Walton Arena opened in 1993.

Nolan Richardson Court features the wordmarks “Arkansas” on the west baseline and “Razorbacks” on the east baseline. The wordmarks are in the customized Razorback font.

The University of Arkansas unveiled Nolan Richardson Court at Bud Walton Arena last Sunday when the Razorback men’s basketball team hosted Arkansas-Little Rock in an exhibition game, the first meeting between the two schools on the hardwood.

All tickets to the game were just $10, and the proceeds will benefit Arkansans impacted by flooding this past spring.

Isaiah Joe poured in a game high 25 points as the Eric Musselman era tipped off with a victory for the Hogs.

The Razorbacks scored 19 of the game’s first 22 points as they took care of the Trojans 79-64 in the exhibition.

Joe hit 8-of-17 from 3-point range as the new look Razorbacks knocked down 13 triples as a team.

The overall shooting wasn’t great for Arkansas as they shot just 41.9 percent for the game but the long ball kept Little Rock at bay.

The Trojans were led by Nikola Maric with 14 points while Kamani Johnson added 13 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Arkansas got 13 points from senior transfer Jeantal Cylla while Desi Sills added 12.