Arkansas opened the 1979 season unranked. The Hogs won their first 10 games and broke into the AP Top 25 in late December. Despite a midseason slump, Arkansas rebounded to win its final 10 regular season games. In the SWC Tournament championship game, Arkansas outlasted rival Texas in a 39-38 thriller. Through it all, Moncrief was herculean. The senior led the team in minutes (38.6), scoring (22.0), rebounding (9.6), assists (2.7) and steals (1.5).