FAYETTEVILLE — It wasn’t easy getting anyone in the Arkansas locker room to come out and say it Monday, but going 0-2 in last week’s Southeastern Conference Tournament was a blessing in disguise.
For starters, Arkansas got exactly what it was looking for when it was named one of the NCAA Tournament’s 16 regional hosts despite the quick exit.
The Hogs got something more valuable too, considering their current slide and the mounting injuries: Much-needed practice and rest.
“We would’ve loved to have won the SEC Tournament and kept playing there,” Arkansas catcher James McCann said. “But at the same time, with injuries and everything that’s going on, I think it’s been very beneficial for our team to get the few days off and get back on the practice fi eld.”
Arkansas learned who will be its first opponent, as well as the rest of the regional fi eld, when the NCAA unveiled the 64-team tournament Monday morning.
The Razorbacks will play Grambling State (22-30), which won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, at 2:05 p.m. Friday in Baum Stadium. The regional’s No. 2 seed Washington State (34-20) plays No. 3 seed Kansas State (36-20) at 7:05 Friday.
When Arkansas steps on the fi eld, it will do so after an eight-day break. Normally, the time off is not good for teams trying to stay sharp.
But Van Horn said it came at a critical point for his team, which will spend the long break getting back to basics after losing seven of its past nine.
“It’s been huge for us to get away from game situations, break it down a little bit,” Van Horn said.
Getting through the first week of the postseason could depend on who is available for the Hogs.
Third baseman Zack Cox (back), center fielder Brett Eibner (hand), fi rst baseman Andy Wilkins (nose), lefthanded pitcher Drew Smyly (blister) and right-handed pitcher Mike Bolsinger (shoulder) have all been dealing with bumps and bruises.
Cox’s status has been the most pressing. The sophomore, who is hitting .432, has missed much of the past two weeks after straining a muscle against South Carolina. Cox remains questionable for the regional, but is improving this week.
“We just have to really be careful with him,” Van Horn said of Cox, who will take some live swings today.
A hairline fracture in Eibner’s hand has caused concerns, too. Van Horn said much of Eibner’s availability will be determined by his pain tolerance.
The junior said he is expecting to play this week thanks in part to the lengthy layoff .