283. 1990 Final Four Team: Celebrating a Legacy

The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

Sport & Story

Arkansas, Hogs, Sports, Razorbacks

4.8 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The 1990 Arkansas Razorbacks were more than just a great basketball team—they were a program-defining force. Led by Hall of Fame coach Nolan Richardson, this team dominated with an electrifying style of play that would become known as "40 Minutes of Hell." Their 30-5 record, Southwest Conference championship, and Final Four run didn’t just put Arkansas on the national stage—it helped lay the foundation for what would become the greatest era of Razorback basketball.

For years, this team’s contributions were somewhat overshadowed by the 1994 National Championship squad, but the players and coaches who lived it knew their impact. They believed they were the team that built Bud Walton Arena. Their success changed the expectations for Arkansas basketball forever.

In 2025, the University of Arkansas finally brought the 1990 team back together for a long-overdue reunion. Players like Todd Day, Darrell Hawkins, Cannon Whitby, and others shared their experiences, relived unforgettable moments, and honored teammates who had passed. Nolan Richardson reflected on what made this team special, how they changed the game, and the brotherhood that still remains.

This episode tells the story of that team—their journey, their impact, and the reunion that reminded everyone why they were one of the greatest teams in Arkansas history.

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The full video version of this episode, including behind-the-scenes stories and insights from Hannah's life and career, is available exclusively on HogsPlus.com

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The Hog Pod is brought to you by South by Northwest Hospitality

This episode is made possible by Calipari: Razor’s Edge, a new series from Vice TV. VICE will follow John Calipari as he leads his first season as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team. For unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and exclusive interviews, tune into Calipari: Razor’s Edge—Mondays at 10 p.m. ET, only on VICE TV.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Because I'm telling you right now, there's not too many teams over four years.
0:05.0	They had the accolades, the All-Americans, the attendance.
0:10.0	We could have played that game in the football stadium out there, and I guarantee it had been full.
0:14.0	Because we played the type of basketball that people just like to see. Welcome into the Hogpot. I'm Bo Mattingly and this episode is made possible by Calapary,
0:35.1	Razors Edge, a new series from Vice TV.
0:39.8	Support for the Hog Pod comes from South
0:41.8	by Northwest Hospitality.
0:53.5	Archie saw her recruitment recruitment of final four
0:55.0	since the Ford in 1970s.
0:58.0	The 1990 Razorbacks weren't just a great basketball team.
1:03.0	They were a turning point, a group that changed the trajectory of Arkansas hoops forever.
1:09.0	You go in any university that has a successful basketball program, and I dare you to find
1:15.6	four years where their record was better than ours.
1:21.6	With three first round picks, four straight conference championships, three conference tournament titles, and a Final Four
1:28.6	appearance that proved Arkansas belonged among college basketball's elite.
1:34.1	What a journey, what a ride.
1:36.0	From Cleveland Hill to Barn Hill, to Austin, to Reunion Arena, to the ultimate destination of a college basketball player
1:47.0	to Final Four.
1:48.0	Although we came up a little short, what a ride he was.
1:52.0	For those who lived it, this team was bigger than the game.
1:56.0	It was about setting a standard for the program.
1:59.0	Now we look at those games today on TV.
	...

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