FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas basketball coach Eddie Sutton said Tuesday films of an altercation between Arkansas guard Darrell Walker and Texas guard Ray Harper would show Arkansas was not the only team involved.
With 18 seconds left in overtime last Saturday, and Arkansas leading 58-51, Arkansas center Scott Hastings moved to the basket for a dunk shot. He was fouled roughly by Texas forward Virdell Howland.
Both Walker and Hastings said after the game the foul was flagrant, but Howland's foul only started the controversial affair. After the fouls, Hastings and Howland faced off beneath the basket and Harper moved between. Moments later, Walker connected with a right to Harper's face.
Texas coach Abe Lemons rushed downcourt to the scene of the incident, demanding Walker's ejection from the game. Walker was ejected, and Howland was called for a foul. Eighteen seconds later, Arkansas won the game 62-55.
Sutton, who defended Walker after the game on grounds he was taking up for his teammate, sounded even more optimistic about the incident Tuesday.
'We've compiled a lot of the information on film clips,' the Arkansas coach said. 'We are going to submit them to (Southwest Conference) officials and let them be the judge. When they look at the films, I feel confident they could see that Texas had a part in it.'
Sutton said he and his staff were preparing documentation for the league investigation.
'I'm tired of being put on the defensive every time Abe Lemons loses a game to Arkansas,' Sutton told Orville Henry, sports editor of the Arkansas Gazette. 'He needs to learn to quit popping off every time he doesn't get his way.'
Sutton said Tuesday he had not talked with Lemons since Saturday's game.
After the game Saturday night, Lemons said league officials would 'have no guts' if they did not suspend Walker, who was involved in another altercation with Harper last year.
Lemons filed the complaint with the SWC, alleging Walker's punch at Harper was unprovoked. The Texas coach also had choice words about the poor hospitality his team received in Fayetteville.
Specifically, Lemons said several Arkansas fans rushed his team and staff after the game, and an assistant sports information director was punched as they walked from the floor.
Since the Texas game, Arkansas athletic officials have implemented some changes to avoid such altercations, including moving the visitors' dressing room to another corner of Barnhill Arena, roped off to limit access only by the basketball team.
