The Future's So Bright, He's Gotta Wear Shades

by Stephen Expat on Oct 9, 2007 4:36 PM CDT in Basketball Comment 5 comments

The football season isn't even halfway over, but I've already about had my fill of it. The lackluster play, the increasing anger and frustrations of the fans...it's been one long drag. Thank God that basketball is right around the corner.

On Friday night, the Hogs begin preparations for the upcoming season with a shindig at Bud Walton Arena that will feature an autograph session followed by a practice and a scrimmage. With a considerable amount of veteran talent and new coach John Pelphrey's uptempo style, the basketball Razorbacks promise to provide the fun and excitement that has been so noticeably absent from the gridiron in 2007.

To help you get fired up for the upcoming season (and to take your mind off the football situation), we offer this hodge-podge of Arkansas basketball-related items:

* You can check out the schedule by visiting hogwired.com. Falling into the "don't-miss" category is the Hogs' Feb. 23 visit to Rupp Arena, where Pelphrey will try to coach Arkansas to victory against his alma mater in a building in which his retired jersey hangs. We already can't wait to read Wally's column about this.

* Terry Wood of the Northwest Arkansas Times has penned a nice overview of this year's squad.

* Bob McClellan of Rivals.com says Patrick Beverley is the nation's best sophomore. (Thanks to CharlieHog for providing the link.)

* Gary Parrish of cbssportsline.com ranks the Hogs No. 19th in the nation. Topping his list: our neighbors to the east, the Memphis Tigers. The only other SEC teams in his Top 26 ranking: Tennessee at No. 6 and Alabama at No. 16. In a related development, Kentucky fans already are demanding that Billy Gillespie be fired.

* Speaking of Kentucky fans, visit our friends at A Sea of Blue to read about how Pelphrey already has beaten Gillespie (the Hog Blogger also has a good report on this) and to see where the Hogs fall in the preseason Blogpoll.

* Finally, the following doesn't pertain to this year's squad, but Razorback fans are in dire need of a mood uplifter. Click here and let the good memories roll.

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UMMM Who’s the one who fierd thier coach Not us I do believe It was you guy"s. Not to mention are coach Knows A dream job whene he see’s one. Pelphrey is in over his head when he looses to Kentucky Over and Over again you will be calling for his head. You guys need to get over it. Your no Kentucky no, Florida,or Ucla or Unc Good Luck HOGS! you will need

by Wildcats RULE FOOL on Oct 10, 2007 1:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Last year one of the pre-game videos they played on the video board was about US Reed’s half court shot. My favorite thing about the piece was when Rick Schaeffer said that Reed walked by the announce table and said something like “well we let this one get away” and Rick said “there’s still five seconds left!”

haha, what is more Rick Schaeffer than that?

HE BELIEVES!!

by CharlieHog on Oct 10, 2007 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was in Reno visiting my brother and they had a different NCAA game on there. They gave very few updates of the Louisville-Arkansas score, and no feed until they switched over for the last five seconds. When Reed hit the shot, we went nuts, screaming “U.S. Reed” over and over again. That is still the only part of that game I have ever seen.

by Whit E. Knight on Oct 10, 2007 4:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Charlie – that’s very funny about Rick Schaeffer. I love hearing Paul Eells’ and Rick’s radio call on the YouTube clip. An absolute classic.

Whit – I remember reading a few years back that the day of U.S. Reed’s shot was the day the phrase “March Madness” was coined. Reed’s buzzer beater and two others (one by Danny Ainge and one by Rolando Blackmon, I believe) all took place within minutes of each other, and NBC managed to show them all. I could be totally wrong, but I think I also remember the article saying that the “cutting to” different games as they were ending was a new broadcasting tool at the time.

—Stephen

by Stephen on Oct 10, 2007 8:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs