An Almost Breakthrough: Alabama 72, Arkansas 66

hogs led in the first half, until about 5 minutes left to go. then bama pulled away and ended the first, 37-30. hogs scored in spurts throughout, led for a little bit with about 5 or 10 minutes to go, but eventually bama was just too much for them. it was definitely exciting, but more frustrating—lots of turnovers, no rebounding, and too many fouls committed by the hogs.

They will break through for a road victory soon. The freshmen are getting more comfortable out there. The game and article headline reminded me of Wilco’s song “The Art of Almost,” which I think would sum up Heath and Pelphrey – but hopefully not Anderson.

I was able to attend with a ‘bama friend and was impressed by the hogs performance. I was hoping to see more fans there, but it was still pretty exciting. The first did not feel that the hogs finished down 7 at all. I was VERY impressed with Scott and Wade and assume they are just really good players for MA’s system. The hogs definitely showed superior ability to move the ball around in the half court game. Alabama’s offense is pretty bland… one or two guys stay in the post area, and the rest literlly stand around the perimeter and pass back and forth. The hogs seem to rotate around well and end up getting open guys on the baseline with a decent shot – shots that wade was knocking down routinely.

Arkansas honestly looks to need to improve in passing the ball. I do not really mean about finding folks, but more so the general exchange between players. I am not sure if folks were not sure who was going to pass to whom or what, but it just feels like they do not pass very confidently.

BJ was off, and I was shocked that he managed to get 11 in the contest, and Hunter needs to be more effective as well. He gets the ball down low a few times but honestly is not always able to score (missing a few close shots).

I felt the hogs rebounded better in the second half, not sure of the stats, but that is how it appeared. Alabama was better in the second half offensively but when Arkansas managed to tie it somewhere about midway through the second half, I thought they were going to lay it on them. Arkansas was just not able to keep the run alive.

We also, as to no suprize, had some foul trouble with our bigs. Both Abron and Mickelson wound up with 4 fouls with about 5 or 6 mins to go… not good for our short roster.

Hogs had their chances late in the game, but felt that the momentum was too far to ’bama and the hogs had a few key misses that really sealed it for Alabama. Felt closer than the 6 point margin for sure. BJ was very unhappy with the loss as well…

Seemed to be some crazy calls on both ends, but got worse towards the end (because of the closeness of the game).

Hope we play well tomorrow, grab DGB wednesday, and lay it on LSU saturday!