Basketball Notes: Pelphrey faces the media
Arkansas’ basketball media day was earlier this afternoon. Here are some highlights, including a few updates on the progression of the renovations inside Bud Walton Arena.
Six newcomers are on the Razorbacks’ roster, which returns just three players who have ever seen action in a college game. The graduation of Steven Hill, Darian Townes, Sonny Weems, Charles Thomas, Gary Ervin, Vincent Hunter and the sudden departure of Patrick Beverley has the UA coaching staff scratching their heads. Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the team this season and many preseason publications are already knocking the Hogs down to the cellar of the SEC Western division.
“Make no mistake about it, this is rebuilding,” Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said today. “You don’t lose that many guys from any organization and there not be some transition from one year to the next.”
The good news is that Arkansas’ freshman class is pretty stocked and the potential, at least, is there for some big strides as the season progresses. Here are a few things overheard about this class today at media day: Point guard Courtney Fortson can jump out of the gym while distributing the ball with ease, Rotnei Clarke is one of the best three-point shooters in the country and Montrell McDonald has drawn comparisons to Weems.
Pelphrey, in fact, called Clarke a “Travis Ford on steroids” today.
WATCH: Basketball Media Day
“We’ve worked very hard in recruiting process to bring in a certain talent level of guys and we’re excited about that,” Pelphrey said. “We’ve got pieces that we feel we can really, really build on toward the future and build toward championships. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Arkansas’ first practice is Friday. The practice session is closed to the public. Arkansas’ Red-White game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Oct. 24.
“… This is a time right now where we have to establish our brand, establish our work ethic and an understanding of team and sacrifice,” Pelphrey said.
RENOVATIONS UPDATE
Athletics director Jeff Long met with us for a few minutes to give an update on the renovations at BWA before coach John Pelphrey arrived.
Here’s what we learned:
The addition of the LED ribbon boards along the facade of the upperdeck will not be ready until Jan. 10, the Hogs’ first SEC game. The new LED scoreboard on the scorer’s table will be in place by the first regular season game (Nov. 14), Long said.
The new Razorback logo (say goodbye to the “Slobber Hog”) is now on the court, but a finished coat has not been placed on the floor yet. In fact, the court was roped off today. Long said the last coat will be finished by Friday, just in time for the Razorbacks’ first practice.
The new retractable seating, including bench seats for students, are still being built and will be in place by the Red-White game on Oct. 24.
Also, new show lights are being installed inside Bud Walton Arena to increase visibility on the court during television broadcasts. Psst… Maybe the crowd will be visible on broadcasts as well.
There are also new basketball goals on the court for the first time since the arena opened in 1993, Long said.
For much more from basketball media day, read the Northwest Arkansas Times this week.
(Top Photo by Brooke McNeely, Northwest Arkansas Times; Bottom photo by Brandon Marcello)
– Brandon Marcello
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2 Responses to “Basketball Notes: Pelphrey faces the media”
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I’m sad to see the “slobber hog” go. I always thought it added a lot of “character” to the BWA floor. I guess now we have to be more about consistent marketing.
I cannot wait until these guys grow some whiskers and mature. It will take some time, but this class will eventually reach the final four, before they are done.
Ps. Although I live outside the state, in my opinion, that “slobberhog” was way out of proportion and looked horrendous. Hehe.. good riddance!