Perhaps All is Not Lost

by Stephen Expat on Jan 31, 2008 9:20 AM CST in Basketball Comment 2 comments

There has been much weeping and gnashing of teeth over the basketball team in recent weeks (we'll admit to engaging in a bit of that ourselves). But we were impressed with last night's 20-point stomping of No. 25 and previously-undefeated-in-the-SEC Mississippi State. Oh, it still wasn't completely easy on the eyes (after all, the Hogs did shoot only 36 percent from the field), but after back-to-back double-digit wins, we're not in the mood to nit-pick.

For the second game in a row, special mention goes to Sonny Weems (22 points) and Patrick Beverley (19 points, 10 rebounds). The latter has now posted a double-digit rebound total in four of his last five games.

Other items of note: the Razorbacks shot 83 percent from the free-throw line and committed only 11 turnovers, while forcing the Bulldogs to cough up the ball 22 times. Those two stat lines have haunted Pelphrey & Co. for much of the season. Sustained improvement in those areas would go a mighty long way towards helping this team live up to its pre-season billing as the best in the SEC West.

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Awesome game! Can’t wait for Saturday.

by CharlieHog on Jan 31, 2008 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, well. Maybe that 1:30am practice had its intended effect. Also, the absence of Charles Thomas, whose benefits to the team I think have been overrated. (He would have been responsible, all on his own, for another four Vanardo blocks.) But that tough, hard-nosed, get a little swagger back whuppin of Miss State induced my friend JC to call at half time. Her take: “I’m not ready to love this team; I’ve been hurt too many times. But at least I’m thinking I might be interested again.”

Play of the game: First possession, Beverley drives right at Vanardo and draws a foul. Hmmm, I thought, someone was listening in the meetings.

Let’s see how they do the rest of this home stand. They manage wins over Florida and Ole Miss and maybe, maybe, we can say they have a chance to make some noise.

by J. Hawg 3 on Feb 1, 2008 7:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs