Your Turn: What do you think of the Hogs?
After losing to Arkansas last night, Texas coach Rick Barnes made the comment that the Razorbacks belonged in the Big 12, not the SEC. Geographically, after all, it makes sense. Well, maybe so, but that wouldn't bode well for Oklahoma and Texas. Both would be 0-1 in the conference by now.
And the Hogs would be the favorites to win the Big 12.
Don't wish too hard, coach.
Meanwhile, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey, sporting a red blazer very much like Eddie Sutton (who was at the game) in the old SWC days, provided plenty of praise for the Arkansas fans. They, he said, deserved credit for the win with the way they showed up to the game. So, with that, let's open it up for your reactions. What would you tell coach Pel today if you could? What about the players?
Perhaps most importantly, how do you see the season shaping up?
As for me, I think Arkansas now has a legitimate shot at winning the SEC West. But — and I know this may sound like a knee jerk reaction — the Hogs must win Saturday against Mississippi State. Why? Arkansas is not proven on the road. A loss at home to MSU almost guarantees a loss later on the road, and a setback in the first game of the SEC season could prove devastating because, like it or not, the road to the Western Division championship goes through Starkville, Miss.
Also, as the fans and media keep heaping praise on Michael Washington and Courtney Fortson, let's take a deep breath here and give another player some love. How about Stefan Welsh last night? The man shut down A.J. Abrams, filled in admirably for Fortson when he got in early foul trouble and hit plenty of big shots, including a 3-pointer that broke a 57-57 tie with 3:32 remaining.
He was as much a key to that win as anyone last night. (Relive the game on our live game blog)
Also, where would you rank Arkansas right now in the Top 25? Would you keep them out still?
Also, a poll update from WholeHogSports.com. More than 3,500 of you have voted in the last two weeks and 88 percent say the Hogs will reach the NCAA Tournament. That's quite a contrast before the OU game, when 71 percent of you saw the Big Dance in the Hogs' future.
Here are some stories from the Northwest Arkansas Times and Democrat-Gazette to check out from last night if you haven't already:
— Nate Allen: Serving notice: Razorbacks drop Texas for second top-10 upset in a week
— Brandon Marcello: Fortson, Washington bounce back from first-half blues to propel Hogs
— Wally Hall: Ugly game a thing of beauty to Arkansas fans (commentary)
— Bob Holt: ARKANSAS 67, NO. 7 TEXAS 61: Another UA power play
— Tom Murphy: In the Lane (notes)
— Rob Keys: Wide-open Welsh makes Texas pay
– Brandon Marcello
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I would rank the Hogs at about 18 in the AP Top 25.
The defense has been great, not always shutdown defense but just annoying enough to take the other team out of their game.
On the offensive end Michael Washington has been the man and Stefan Welsh has been big, hitting huge shots when needed. When Fortson stops over-penetrating and the other guys realize they have to flash to an open spot when players sag to the lane to stop the point guard then our offense will become more dynamic. The wingmen need to present themselves when Fortson drives and draws their defender to help. Fortson needs to realize that he needs to look for open men when he is at the center of the lane not once he's under the basket.
Once conference play starts and they have to travel to hostile arenas then we will see what they are made of. They won't have the great Bud Walton crowd to pick them up when Washington or Forstson are benched with fouls, then we will see how tough they are.
I'm not knocking any of these kids, they still have a lot to learn, but the one thing they have is heart and desire and a great leader in Coach Pelfrey that knows how to fire these kids up. You can see Coach Pelfrey's toughness when these kids are on the floor. I haven't been this excited about Razorback basketball in nearly 10 years. These kids are fun to watch and make you appreciate the effort they put forth on the floor. Coach Pelfery has done a great job, this team seems truly proud to be Razorbacks and they work hard for the fans and for each other.
GO HOGS!!!
I also think that the Razorbacks should join the Big 12
I think it would be a natural with the rivals we would have. I only hope that our athletic director moves us to the Big 12. If he feels the pulse of Razorback fans he will do this. I think Broyles made a bad decision to put Arkansas in the SEC.
Thank you hogs for beating the horns
Speak for yourself Nashvillehog1-not for Razorback fans everywhere. Why would we switch to the Big 12? Everyone always talks about how the SEC is so much better than the other power conferences. It's really not even close. The Big 12 has about 3-4 teams in football each year that are really good; the SEC has about 6-7. With TV rights as they are now and only getting better with the ESPN deal that begins soon, the recruiting argument will not mean anything because kids can play in front of the nation often. We would be taking a step backwards if we moved to the Big 12. Plain and simple.
I think it is true that geographically and in terms of age-old rivalries, then yes, Arkansas shoud be in the Big 12. That's where the guys that our fans want to play are and it would be much easier to get to some of those locales. That being said, joining the SEC was the best thing that has ever happened to Razorback athletics and to leave what is CLEARLY the best conference(not just basketball) in the conference for ANYWHERE else is absolutely asinine. Broyles did not make a bad decision in joining the SEC. That's ridiculous.
As far as the polls go, I would definitely put the Hogs in the top 20 or so, but not much higher. The SEC schedule promises to be tough and while our boys are capable of beating anyone in conference play, they are equally capable of losing to just about anyone too. The road games at South Carolina and Florida are looking especially dangerous. We still need to prove our mettle in a hostile environment.
Be happy about Arkansas being a member of the SEC. I never hear recruits comment about their desire to play in the Big 12, but hearquite frequently of their desire to play in the SEC. Membership in the SEC creates a WHOLE LOT more credibility than the Big 12. No comparison. Forget about the Big 12....it ain't ever gonna happen. We are way to far down the SEC road for that to happen. What are theygonna call it, the Super 13? This HawgBall team is 1 or 2 big bodies in the middle away from being a POWERHOUSE. We are soooooo close.
Big 12? Really? Not beneficial to the University of Arkansas. The Big 12 would love it but not a good move for the Razorbacks. The SEC is the best conference from top to bottom, best recruiting base, best competition and the best co-eds. I mean really, I lived in Kansas for a while, you seen those gals?
SEC! SEC! SEC! And while I am at it, can we please stop having what appears to be [to outsiders and UT fans] an inferiority complex to the University of Texas.
I have lived in Texas for many years. UA has a better fan base, comparable facilities and a better conference. Kicking the dog out of the Horns is always great, but conference games are much more important.
Go Hogs! Beat MSU! [and Kentucky, Florida... etc., as well]
Rick Barnes wants Arkansas in the Big 12 because he knows that beyond Texas, Kansas, and OU, there is NOBODY in the Big 12 in basketball (Missou may attain the status of somebody in the Big 12 someday under Mike Anderson).
Rick also knows that the Big 12 does not generate the revenue that the SEC garners and that a move by Arkansas would represent a shift of revenue towards the Big 12.
It would be absolutely STUPID to leave the SEC. Would Razorback Stadium be the venue it is today if we were in the Big 12? I think not. Its an SEC stadium now.
Those who think we should be a part of the Big 12 probably also believe it still makes sense to play some HOME games THREE hours away from campus in a dump called War Memorial Stadium. Newsflash!! Arkansas is the ONLY representative in the SEC that maintains this annual shenanigans.
As far as the game last night is concerned and the team's potential for the rest of the year, it was very telling to see a particular banner held up by a fan last night: "40 Minutes of PEL." John Pelphrey has the program fully playing his brand of basketball while awakening the giant of our glory days on the hardwood in the 90's. That was the last time 19,000 showed up for a game in the Bud Bowl, isn't it? While both teams shot pitifully throughout the game, one thing is undeniable: Arkansas outhustled Texas. The fundamentals work. I think Arkansas shocked Texas in their ability to move the ball up the court against a far more physically built team.
This squad has heart and real desire. There's still going to be some bumps in the road as the season goes on. But, they'll show up for the dance and stay awhile.
ua87, I agree with you except for the part about games in Little Rock. It helps connect the team to the rest of the state. Fayetteville is closer to Tulsa, OK and Joplin, MO than most of the rest of the state of Arkansas. It is a good thing to get a few games centralized in the state, this way it is only a few hours from every corner of the state. And the tailgating and game time atmosphere in Little Rock rivals that of any other SEC town including Fayetteville. Little Rock games don't make as much money but it also helps with recruiting. The benefits outweigh the few bucks lost.
If we must play in Little Rock, then make it ONE game a year. And just to make it fair, make it the LSU game.
Otherwise, the tailgates are a drunk fest. The cops have their hands full with what goes on in the stands as well.
Maybe the Big 12 back when we bolted from the SWC might have made sense but its out of the question now. Won't ever happen, no need to discuss it. Long term, the money for the university and national recognition will be much better in the SEC. Besides, when Pel and Petrino have the Hogs at or near the top of the ladder on a consistent basis (very, very soon), being in the SEC will carry much more weight with recruits.
Living in Omaha, I'm looking forward to the day when we get Creighton in the NCAA tournament and whip the Bluejay poop out of them. Even though Altman leaving was the best thing for Arkansas basketball, we still owe him one good spanking while 10,000 fans call the hogs. I can only dream.
Even though I'm old enough to have been into the Texas rivaly in BB and FB, I'm personally getting tired of Florida having our number. That's my personal rivalry even if they are in the East. Of course, maybe it's reallly because I lost a bet on the Florida / Arkanas SEC championship in FB a few years ago that cost me a pair of Nickleback concert tickets. The Fish fumble is still seared in my brain. I guess I'm not over it. ha ha. I'd rather our measuring stick be Florida than Texas.
If we were in the Big 12 it would be easier to recruit in Texas. But the SEC is the premier conference in the country and we will not be leaving there. Besides, Petrino is doing a better job of recruiting in Texas than Nutt did. And our annual game against Texas A & M will help recuiting there. On these basketball Hogs . . . I love their hustle. Even though we could use another big man or two and this is a young team, their hustle and teamwork will enable them to win against more talented and experienced teams. I think Pelfrey is recruiting guys who play hard and hate to lose. I would much rather have those kind of guys on my team than 5-star prima donnas.
I think Jeff Long now knows the pulse of the Razorback fans (nashvillehog1) when it comes to which conference is preferred, if he even reads this blog.
UA87, the game you would take from Little Rock would be against north texas or ulm or some other little guy, that would not be a money game in F-ville. It's smart to play it in LR, this way everyone is happy. All the big money games except our LSU home game is played in F-ville.
I think the way the administration has worked this out makes great sense for all the fans in the state. I rarely go to games in LR, I live in LR but go to more games in F-ville. But for those that can't afford the trip all the way to NWA, this is a great concession. And just because no one else plays games at two home sites doesn't mean we shouldn't. There is nothing wrong with being different. We are the only school in the SEC that doesn't share our fan-base with another in-state school. It's wise to come to the people.
To hogntn
You are wrong apparently you havent been a razorback fan very long -broyles made a bad decision joining arkansas into the sec
no doubt it should have been in the big 12
big 12 is a much better conference much better rivals.
sec has no basketball support other than kentucky arkansas and vandy big 12 would also have better natural rivals- end of story
To nashvillehog1:
Obviously you are old and set in your ways and don't like change, which you need to get over. By the way, was UA supposed to wait around 4 more years until the Big 12 decided to start a conference? I guess you forgot about that.
You must not like Broyles and never have probably, but everything he did for the UA was with the University's best interest at hand. He had the foresight to join the SEC and forget the collapsing SWC. Who knows, if Ark stayed in the SWC, it might not be defunct; and there we would be playing Houston and Baylor and Rice and SMU, et al. WOW, now that is cool! And if you think having natural rivals is important, ask Texas who they think is a rival. First on the list is not Arkansas; as much as we hate them, they have other priorities (but you should know that old wise one).
Don't worry about your childhood memories of the 1946 Razorbacks-they will still be there. But let a new tradition begin for a new generation in the best conference in the country (derived from the multiple posts above from the "pulse").
Good Day nashvillehog1,
Hog Calling for Decades
To nashvillehog1:
By what rationalization was it a bad move by Frank Broyles to put Arkansas in the SEC? So what, Texas, A&M, and Tech aren't there. I miss the rivalries too. You know what I love though? Top notch facilities. Getting money hand over fist from our SEC affiliation. We didn't even make a bowl game this year and we are still gonna make millions. And to say that the SEC has no basketball support is ludicrous. I grant you, LSU, South Carolina, and Auburn don't exactly fill the place, but watch the game anytime the Hogs are down in Stark-vegas or in Gainesville playing the Gators. The places are PACKED. The SEC is having a down year in basketball this year, no doubt, but its history puts it LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Big 12. The rivalries are absolutely NO REASON to abandon the SEC.
UA/Ky. game is a sellout. Tickets are going fast. I don't know about anyone else. But, when I was on The Hill, you could walk right into Barnhill during the Eddie Sutton era and get a seat minutes before tipoff. Granted, Sutton put the program on the map. But, his style of play could at times be a great cure for insomnia.
You can't pack a basketball palace like the Bud Bowl with teams like Rice, Houston and Baylor. You can't fill seats in RRS (oh yeah, we wouldn't have seen that place renovated and expanded) with opponents like this either. Take a look back at how the football team struggled in the very first year in the SEC. We're weren't that far removed from our repeat trips to the Cotton Bowl at the time. Fact is, we went to a tougher conference with much more dynamic offensive/defensive schemes and superior athletes. It clearly showed that the Razorbacks had previously played much weaker teams and participated in a much weaker recruiting arena associated with it.
For those of us flummoxed by the fact that the Hogs aren't in the Top 25 after knocking off OU and Texas, we remember how difficult it was to gain national respectability in the SWC. I'd be willing to bet that if someone went back and counted how many times the Hogs played on national television (not the regionally telecast stuff) during their time in the SWC versus the relatively short time we've been in the SEC, I'm sure we've seen the Hogs more since joining the SEC.
Arkansas is in the midst of other great schools and great athletic traditions that far outweigh what we emerged from and what the Big 12 is today.
Frank Broyles had the vision to see that for what it truly is. The Razorbacks will continue to carve their place in SEC history. We should be proud to be Razorbacks in the SEC.