Boynton successful vs. Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE — Oklahoma State Coach Mike Boynton is no stranger to the Arkansas Razorbacks or Walton Arena.

Today’s game between the Cowboys and Razorbacks is part of the Big 12-SEC Challenge and will be the first time Boynton has faced the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville as the head coach, but the 11th time overall.

Boynton, 35, played point guard for South Carolina from the 2001-2002 through 2003-2004 seasons and was an assistant coach for the Gamecocks assistant coach from the 2008-2009 through 2012-2013 seasons.

The Gamecocks went 3-2 against the Razorbacks when Boynton was a player and 3-2 when he was an assistant coach. He had 2-1 records at Walton Arena as a player and as an assistant coach.

Today’s game is a sellout and Boynton said he expects the raucous Arkansas crowd he remembers from his time at South Carolina.

“They’ve got tremendous fans,” Boyton said. “I know how rowdy they can get. They actually traveled pretty well to Stillwater last year.”

Boynton was an Oklahoma State assistant last season when the Cowboys beat Arkansas 99-71 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. He was promoted to head coach when Brad Underwood left for Illinois.

“Arkansas has got a great fan base, and obviously their team performs at a very high level at home,” Boynton said. “So I expect it to be a great atmosphere. Fortunately for us, playing in the Big 12 we see that pretty often.”

In Boynton’s final game against Arkansas as a player, he scored 32 points to lead the Gamecocks to a 91-81 victory in the 2004 SEC Tournament in Atlanta.