It’s always ‘Sonny’ in Raleigh
Need a big basket when an opponent is making a run? Dish it to Sonny.
Need a set play after a timeout? Dish it to Sonny.
Sonny Weems dominated the Indiana defense Saturday night and Arkansas won its first NCAA Tournament game in nine seasons, 86-72. Weems hit big basket after big basket to hold off Hoosier runs, and connected on a perfect 8 of 8 from the field in the second half onward to a career-high 31 points.
Arkansas (23-11) gets top-seed North Carolina (33-2) in Raleigh, N.C., at 4:20 p.m. (CDT) Sunday. The Tar Heels beat Mount St. Mary’s 113-74 earlier Friday and are 22-1 in NCAA Tournament games in its home state.
Yikes.
Here are some quick quotables from the Northwest Arkansas Times‘ Nate Allen and special correspondent Rainer Sabin:
“They are a resilient bunch,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “They have been given up for dead two or three times. The challenge for them is to repeat their success and focus and level of play because the next opponent is unbelievable. But they deserve all the credit.”
“This feels great,” Arkansas senior forward Sonny Weems said. “And if we play one of our best ballgames against North Carolina, we can move this thing forward.”
Beverley, who finished with 12 points and did a tremendous job of shutting down freshman phenom Eric Gordon (3 of 15 from the field), probably had the best quote of the night:
“It’s always a sunny day when Sonny Weems plays that way.”
And Gordon on his and Indiana’s lackluster performance:
“It was hard to execute,” said Gordon, who appeared dazed after making just 3 of 15 field goal attempts and committing three turnovers. “We couldn’t get inside and I never got in a rhythm.”
So Hog fans, do the senior-led Razorbacks have a chance against scary UNC out east?
2 Responses to “It’s always ‘Sonny’ in Raleigh”
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Ya… they have a chance… if they will just play up to their potential….. Regardless, get ready Razorback fans, PEL will eventually deliver. In 2 to 3 years, the final 4 is where we’re at. GO HOGS!
Last night the Razorbacks that can go to the final four were on the floor. Playing tough mentally, physically, & playing as a team. If that team shows up against the Tarheels, then they absolutley have a chance. If the Razorbacks show up that lost to Georgia (twice), App St, Alabama, & even a few of their wins, then they will get blown out. It boils down to how much will they be satisfied with right here right now. Getting over the hump in the tourney, or really making a statement. I vote for making a statement. Go Hogs!!!