Losing sucks, but Ole Miss knocking off Arkansas was the best case scenario

Losing is never fun. I hate. Sometimes, when the Hogs lose, it ruins my entire day, as it does many Arkansas Razorback fans. It's one of the things that makes our fanbase one of the most passionate in college athletics, and it's like that for nearly every sport. So, when Arkansas lost in heartbreaking fashion yesterday, it hurt.

However, sometimes, the medicine we need doesn't feel good. Injections sting, cough syrup tastes disgusting, and examinations can be uncomfortable, but all are necessary, as was losing to Ole Miss.

How Arkansas basketball's loss to Ole Miss was the best-case scenario

Essentially, Arkansas was down to a six-man rotation by halftime. Zvonimir Ivisic played yesterday, but the thumb injury he sustained against South Carolina affected him on Thursday to the point that his being on the court was a detriment to the team. Without the loss to Ole Miss, he would most likely play against Auburn and continue to reaggravate his injury.

The injury riddle Hogs need rest

Leaving a tournament that no one outside of Kentucky fans and Auburn care about to let a team marred by injury and fatigue rest is not a bad thing, folks. The fact that Arkansas went toe-to-toe with a bona fide NCAA Tournament team — that only won because of a desperation heave a tick away from the buzzer — only 24 hours after a hard-fought game against the Gamecocks isn't anything to be ashamed of. If anything, it should breed confidence that Arkansas can withstand the quick turnaround of March Madness.

What's more important is that the players get to rest. Of course, Ivisic needs to rehab his hand, but he's not the only one who needs the break. For instance, Billy Richmond III has played lights out the last four games, giving it his all for 25-30 minutes. But twice now, we've seen the talented freshman go down with severe cramps, once against Mississippi State and another in the middle of the game against the Rebels.

The SEC Championship does not matter

While the other five players haven't been as affected by injury lately, playing back-to-back games for five straight days wouldn't have helped anyone on the team. And all for what? A trophy? An automatic bid to the Big Dance that they've already earned? And if not to win the Championship, by bother?

Arkansas needed the win against South Carolina to feel safe. Although the Hogs were most likely in the Tournament, barring anything unforeseen, it is March, and anything can happen. Adding another quad-2 loss to the resume wasn't going to do the Hogs any favors, but a neutral quad-1 loss? That's nothing.

Absurdity at its finest

Some in the media thought it was an 'absurd' thought process. Before the SEC Tournament started, head coach John Calipari expressed his apathy toward the event. He told Chuck Barret of HogPlus, “I don’t care about the conference tournament, which is why we won it so many times." He did walk back the statement a little after the win against South Carolina, but it didn't stop the media from grabbing their torches and pitchforks.

During the halftime show of the SoCon Championship game, ESPN analyst Jay Williams didn't hold back when countering Calipari. “I know that John Calipari says that he could care less about winning the SEC Tournament, but we are talking about, arguably, the greatest single-season conference of all time. So I think that’s absurd,” said Williams.

But I'd like to ask Williams a question. What's more absurd: Calipari's approach or prioritizing the SEC Championship for the 'excitement' over the NCAA Championship and the health of your team?

“Like, I think everybody’s approach is to win every single game they play, right?" Williams continued. "And you’re also talking about — you can make a case, Seth, that the semifinals of the SEC Tournament could be more exciting to watch than the Final Four. They could (both) be in the Final Four."

Who cares about an exciting semifinals in the SEC Championship? Arkansas has a shot to give this season a storybook ending, and it doesn't involve an SEC Championship. Lose the battle but win the war — it's not exactly the most obscure of wisdom, but alas, it's apparently lost on some.

Nevertheless, Arkansas has at least five days to rest before heading into the NCAA Tournament, giving the Hogs their best chance at making a run in the Big Dance. The Razorbacks will hear their fate, along with the rest of college basketball, on Sunday, March 16, during the selection show, starting at 5:00 PM CT.