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4 2017 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Sunday, November 5, 2017 File Photo Arkansas hosted Murray State on Nov. 29, 1993, in the first game played in Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks rolled to a 93-67 win. The arena was actually dedicated a week later when the Razorbacks hosted Missouri on Dec. 2, 1993. Walton contributed $15 million. He didn't want his name on the building — Walton suggested calling it the new Barnhill Arena — but Broyles insisted it be named in Walton's honor. "We went in hoping for a million dol- lars and we came out with $15 million," Richardson said. "That was a pretty good meeting." Walton Arena was built in about 18 months and more than doubled Barnhill Arena's seating with a capacity of 19,200. "I can remember the day they de- cided where the arena was going to be placed," Richardson said of its spot along Razorback Road on the south end of the campus. "Then I got really excited when they started actually building it. "I went there when they first dug the hole and you could see, man, this place is going to be big. "I'd go by the building site once every seven to 10 days. It was really fascinating that you could see a piece of land turn into such a beautiful structure. "I really praise the engineers and the imagination they had for how to bring something together and make a building like we've got. Watching it develop is something I'll never forget." Richardson said when Walton Arena opened it exceeded his expectations. "I knew it was going to be nice," he said. "But it was way better than what I thought it would be. Just an unbelievable place for basketball." GLORIOUS FIRST SEASON Arkansas' first game in Walton Arena was a 93-67 victory by the No. 2 Razor- backs over Murray State Nov. 29, 1993, but the dedication game was against Missouri Dec. 2. Missouri was selected for the game at which Walton was honored in a pregame ceremony because he previously lived in Columbia, Mo., and attended Hickman High School. A sellout crowd announced at 20,212 watched the Razorbacks beat the Tigers 120-68. It was the most-lopsided loss ever for Missouri and Coach Norm Stewart, who had been 5-0 against Arkansas in Barnhill Arena. "After the game, Norm said, 'You've either got a hell of a team or we're just awfully damn bad,' " Richardson said. "I said, 'No Norm, you've got a good team. It was just one of those nights where everything we did was right and every- thing you did was wrong.' " The Razorbacks hit 42 of 71 shots (59.2 percent), including 16 of 25 three- point attempts. "We could have kicked the ball in the basket that night," Richardson said. "Our guys were pumped up to play, and Arena v Continued from Page 2 v Continued on next page