Proud of the Hogs

by Stephen Expat on Jan 31, 2009 6:30 PM CST in Arkansas Razorback Basketball

For someone who didn't see today's game, that headline may seem strange after yet another double-digit defeat on the road. But this wasn't your standard lifeless Hog road loss.

After appearing completely overwhelmed and outmatched during the first half (they entered intermission down 41-21), the Razorbacks played with abundant energy and tenacity in the second half and whittled down LSU's lead to five late in the game. For a few heady minutes there, I truly thought they were going to win.

Alas, it was not to be. But it doesn't make me any less proud of the team. Today's game was one of those that remind you why you love sports.

The only shame about this game is the hole it puts the Hogs in. If Arkansas is to go .500 in the conference - generally considered one of the minimum requirements for snagging an NCAA bid - they're going to have to go 7-3 the rest of the way. One way for them to do that would be to win the rest of the home games and somehow snag two of their remaining five road games.

That's a tall order - particularly considering that the home games include contests against Tennessee, Kentucky and these same LSU Tigers - but it's one that looks at least slightly less intimidating now than it did at halftime.

Regardless of what happens, if the Hogs consistently play with as much energy as they did against Alabama and in the second half tonight, I can live with it. Their day will come.

Box score

* In other news, Patrick Beverley is the subject of the "Hoop Dreams" sequel. Seriously.

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Comments

i was very glad to see this squad throw a sustained effort at such a deficit. after the way they gave up against auburn, i expected them to quit pretty much every game from then on if it got out of hand. there was a three minute stretch midway in the second half where lsu was trying their best to give the game away but it just didn’t come together. not for a lack of will though. that’s all i ask for from a team.

by thebeave on Jan 31, 2009 9:26 PM CST reply actions

We still need some players. The rebounding comparison at one point was 29 to 13. That’s frightening.

People defend us because of our youth, but that notion of “youth” is a little misleading. Inexperienced, yes, but young, not entirely.

Sanchez is a redshirt freshman. Fortson is a prep school kid, so also two years out of high school.

Jason Henry I believe is in his third year out of high school.

Welsh is in his fourth year out of high school.

My point is these are not 18 year olds. They are at an age where their physical skills aren’t going to change a great deal. I grant you experience will help, but we still need talent infusion. I noticed that we are not even in the top 25 recruiting next year, so honestly the team we have is not going to change that much.

Despite the comeback in the second half, I am not optimistic. I still think we’re looking at 4-12.

by Tab Prewett on Feb 1, 2009 7:40 AM CST reply actions

Hi Tab,

Those are fair points re: the players’ youth vs. inexperience, but I think all of the guys you mentioned, except for Welsh, are capable of significant improvement during the coming years. Not to mention Clarke and some of the others. But you are right: We need more of everything.

4-12 certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Neither would a rally that gets them to a .500 conference record. This is a team with talent but absolutely no margin for error.

by Stephen on Feb 1, 2009 9:03 AM CST reply actions