That Was Brutal - Florida Gators 98, Arkansas Razorbacks 68

by Stephen Expat on Feb 18, 2012 8:11 PM CST in Arkansas Razorback Basketball

The home-court winning streak is no more.

We Arkansas fans have seen the Razorbacks be on the receiving end of a lot of butt-kickings over the past decade, but that felt like the most complete and suffocating beatdown I've seen the Hogs absorb in a long, long while - maybe ever. The record books say my sentiment is not unfounded: Florida's 98-68 win marks the Razorbacks' biggest margin of defeat ever in Bud Walton.

To make an obvious quip, one has to wonder if the Hogs thought this was a road game. Just as in Arkansas' recent visits to Georgia and Tennessee, the Razorbacks' opponent came out on fire and never really cooled off. Florida's effort, though, was on a whole other level: the Gators shot 57 percent - 57 percent - from three-point range and 58 percent from the field overall. They didn't loaf at the line, either, sinking 29 of their 34 free-throw shots.

After tonight's game, Arkansas has allowed its opponent to shoot better than 50 percent from the field in three of its last four games. Their last three defeats have been by margins of 22 points, 19 points and 30 points, respectively, and their conference record now stands at 5-7. I'd long thought an NIT bid was in the bag. Not anymore. Instead of making a case for their first post-season bid in four years, the Hogs appear to be indulging in what has become a tradition in Fayetteville: a late-season collapse.

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Different league

In an afternoon when I caught a few minutes of Missouri, North Carolina, and Kentucky basketball, it is clear Florida joins them at a level (or levels) above the current Hog program. As UNLV (Larry Johnson, I think) told Nolan at Barnhill, “You’ve got boys, we’ve got men.”
Hogs have had success this year when we have penetrated, the d has collapsed in, and we have dished out to open shots. We didn’t try this / Florida didn’t allow this. With our middle, we don’t rebound much, so when we get contested shots, we rarely get second chances. Our traps and D didn’t slow Florida down.
Finally, I don’t think it is fair that the Florida rims seemed to be about 6 feet in diameter during both halves. Someone should write Slive a complaint letter….
It is difficult to be optimistic- hey, but I am! We can still win the SECT!

by rHog on Feb 19, 2012 10:18 AM CST reply actions

Fatigue?

Are we beginning to witness the late season effects of a short bench on a young team playing a frenetic style? Is our team exhausted? I wonder whether this is contributing to our poor performances. That and very good opponents.

by BirmingHAM Hog on Feb 19, 2012 11:46 AM CST reply actions

I think fatigue is a huge factor.

This team has looked exhausted much of the time lately. A less charitable explanation is that they’re mailing it in – but I don’t think that’s the case. Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

Arkansas Expats: Calling the Hogs from points way yonder.

by Stephen Expat on Feb 19, 2012 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

I agree about fatigue.

Early in the season, Blake Eddins was warning that having so few scholarship players would take its toll. They are playing like a team that has used up all its energy reserves. It has been three straight games where the opponents are taking uncontested shots almost every time and beating the Hogs down the court in transition. And on offense, except for Young, they are way too passive.

by Whit E. Knight on Feb 19, 2012 8:44 PM CST up reply actions