Katz to Arkansas: Where’s the Beef?
ESPN.com writer Andy Katz took a look at some of the college basketball schedules around the country and gave Arkansas’ a mixed review:
Ronald Steele’s injury at Alabama makes Arkansas the chic pick in the SEC West. The Razorbacks are in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and a possible matchup with Providence would benefit the Hogs (Nov. 15-18). Going to Oklahoma (Dec. 15) provides another possible NCAA team. Playing host to Missouri (Nov. 28) and Missouri State (Dec. 3) are solid home dates, but neither is a lock for the tournament. Playing Appalachian State in Little Rock (Dec. 22) is another good nonconference game, but won’t turn too many heads in the selection committee room. This schedule needs more pop for the Hogs to be a lock if they get into any trouble in the SEC. The Hogs could have upgraded the schedule a bit more since there is not one game against a team you could say is definitely going to be in the field.
It’s hard to disagree with Katz. He’s an informed writer. But the SEC historically gets at least five bids to the NCAA Tournament. With six seniors on the Razorbacks’ roster and a new coach, John Pelphrey, who seems intent on harnessing the athleticism that Arkansas has, it would be hard to imagine the Hogs not being among the handful of teams from the league receiving an invitation to the Big Dance come March.
As a side note, Arkansas was scheduled to play Texas this year in Fayetteville. Then, in June, the game was pushed back to the 2008-2009 season. Not to worry folks. With Missouri, Oklahoma and Baylor on Arkansas’ slate, the Razorbacks will still get to taste a nice sampling of the Big XII conference this season. A little Mike Anderson, a bit of Jeff Caple and wash it down with some Scott Drew. Scrumptious.
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