Why wasn't this game televised nationally ?

That's the question that ran through my mind as the Missouri Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks raced up and down the hardwood Wednesday night at Walton Arena.

ESPN and college basketball fans around the nation missed out. So did the couple of thousand noshows, who failed to use their tickets.

It was like old times at Walton Arena. The thermostat was turned up, and the heat from all the hustle on the hardwood was sweltering.

The back-and-forth affair electrified all on hand. The individual plays weren't perfect by far. Both teams had more turnovers, a combined 44, than their coaches would have preferred, but like the numerous odd brushstrokes that compose a painting, the play on the floor equaled a compelling picture.

It's uncertain how good the Hogs and Tigers are at this juncture in the season. I would guess both will be in the NCAA Tournament next spring, but that doesn't matter.

What does matter is that both John Pelphrey and Mike Anderson's squads laid everything they had on the line for 40 minutes of pure excitement for the fans on hand. It was every bit as thrilling a basketball game as was Arkansas' 50-48 triple-overtime football victory over LSU last Friday.

And the victory was just as satisfying to the basketball Hogs. Last year at Columbia, Mo., the Tigers handed the Hogs their hats, whipping them 86-64. In no way, shape or form did that happen Wednesday.

The Razorbacks gutted out a 94-91 victory that was either team's ballgame in the last three minutes of the game.

Those who experienced it understand exactly why Charles Thomas pounded his chest with his fist as he stomped down the court following the final buzzer.

Thomas and his teammates showed all the heart, character and hustle a unit can muster this early in the season and it paid off.

This was the type of game that the Hogs let slip away from them in years past, but even after surrendering most of a late 7-point lead, the Hogs made the plays in the clutch to win the game.

Take nothing away from Missouri. Anderson's squad came into a hostile environment and took the Razorbacks to the limit. I'm sure Nolan Richardson was proud watching the game from home, despite the loss.

The Tigers will experience no letdown from this game. However, there is no telling what type of confidencebuilder the victory can be for the Hogs.

It could be a confidencebuilder for the fanbase, too. Razorbacks fans have been waiting for years on a team they can embrace, one that will play consistently with the intensity and toughness - both mental and physical - that were the trademarks of Razorbacks basketball under Eddie Sutton and Richardson.

Though there are many games left to play, this team has the makings of one that can live up to that standard.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.