UA’s back is against the NCAA wall again
The good news for the Arkansas Razorbacks is that they are playing the No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores at 3 p.m. Saturday in Walton Arena, but unfortunately that’s the bad news, too.
What could be good about Vandy being the Hogs’ playdate Saturday?
Well, the Commodores are well-respected in all basketball circles around the nation, and after the Razorbacks’ 59-56 loss to Alabama on Wednesday, the Hogs desperately need to beat a good basketball team in hopes of salvaging their flagging NCAA Tournament hopes.
But again, that’s the bad news.
Kevin Stallings’ Vanderbilt squad is the hottest team in the Southeastern Conference. Not only are the Dores riding a seven-game winning streak but they also knocked off No. 1 Tennessee, 72-69, on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, Vandy was the team to talk about in the world of college basketball and for good reason.
After being dismantled, 93-71, by the Vols in Knoxville, Tenn., the Razorbacks know just how good the Vols are, and on at least one night in Vandy’s magical Memorial Gym — the toughest place to play in the SEC — they were able to knock off one of the nation’s best.
Stallings’ Vanderbilt squads have always been scrappy and dangerous because of their discipline and shooting touch. Shan Foster has been one of the best players in the SEC for what seems like half a decade.
But, this year the Commodores aren’t just a smart, disciplined squad with one standout player. They are a skilled team that, despite their white-collar pedigree, knows how to get down and dirty and win close basketball games.
If today’s game were in Nashville, Tenn., there would be no hope for the Hogs, who have been all but hopeless on the road since the turn of the century.
The Razorbacks had to play truly awful Wednesday to let Alabama win.
Discipline, focus, basketball I.Q., mental toughness and any of the other qualities that help a team be successful on the road have been in low supply at Arkansas for far too long. It’s almost become a tradition to lose on the road.
But today’s contest is in Walton Arena, where the Razorbacks have been known to conjure up their own brand of voodoo from time to time.
Less than a month ago, the Hogs blew out ranked Florida and Mississippi State squads by an average of 20 points a contest.
At that point, it appeared the Razorbacks were a sure bet for a NCAA Tournament bid. But since then, the road has been unkind to the Razorbacks.
The Hogs have lost four of their last five games — all on the road — and their NCAA Tournament résumé adds up to NIT at the moment.
Like the previous three years, the Razorbacks’ backs are against the wall with three regular-season games to play.
Three years ago, the Hogs imploded when facing similar circumstances. By the time NIT bids were extended, the Hogs were playing so poorly, the UA opted not to extend the season. Another showing as bad as Arkansas’ 65-46 first-round loss to Tennessee in the 2005 SEC Tournament and Frank Broyles would have been forced to fire Stan Heath right then instead of last spring.
The past two years, the Hogs pulled themselves together enough to squeak into the Big Dance before bowing out one and done.
It appears that it’s going to take another winning streak for the Hogs to be selected to the field of 65.
Upsetting Vandy today would be a feather in the Hogs’ cap, but the Hogs also need to win at Oxford, Miss., on Tuesday, beat Auburn at home on March 8 and win their opening game in the SEC Tournament if not the semifinal game.
Even with that, the Razorbacks may need to cross their fingers, wish upon a star and perform any other lucky trick if they want an NCAA bid.
Because the Hogs’ road woes have backed them into a corner once again.
Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
One Response to “UA’s back is against the NCAA wall again”
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Winning on the road is much more mental than physical and this group of seniors, developed under Stan Heath, has always had a soft and fragile mindset.
I remember when May/Day decided they could win anywhere and Nolan saying that he could see it in their eyes during a timeout. PEL knows “the look” and the senior dudes, conceivably, may never find it.
Regardless, once PEL gets his own guys playing for a while, the look [and swagger] will return. The “talented” senior group, however, is quickly running out of time.