Your Turn: What do you think of the Hogs?
January 7th, 2009 ║ Posted By: MrSEC.com ║ Permalink
Content provided by The Slophouse.
After losing to Arkansas last night, Texas coach Rick Barnes made the comment that the Razorbacks belonged in the Big 12, not the SEC. Geographically, after all, it makes sense. Well, maybe so, but that wouldn’t bode well for Oklahoma and Texas. Both would be 0-1 in the conference by now.
And the Hogs would be the favorites to win the Big 12.
Don’t wish too hard, coach.
Meanwhile, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey, sporting a red blazer very much like Eddie Sutton (who was at the game) in the old SWC days, provided plenty of praise for the Arkansas fans. They, he said, deserved credit for the win with the way they showed up to the game. So, with that, let’s open it up for your reactions. What would you tell coach Pel today if you could? What about the players?
Perhaps most importantly, how do you see the season shaping up?
As for me, I think Arkansas now has a legitimate shot at winning the SEC West. But — and I know this may sound like a knee jerk reaction — the Hogs must win Saturday against Mississippi State. Why? Arkansas is not proven on the road. A loss at home to MSU almost guarantees a loss later on the road, and a setback in the first game of the SEC season could prove devastating because, like it or not, the road to the Western Division championship goes through Starkville, Miss.
Also, as the fans and media keep heaping praise on Michael Washington and Courtney Fortson, let’s take a deep breath here and give another player some love. How about Stefan Welsh last night? The man shut down A.J. Abrams, filled in admirably for Fortson when he got in early foul trouble and hit plenty of big shots, including a 3-pointer that broke a 57-57 tie with 3:32 remaining.
He was as much a key to that win as anyone last night. (Relive the game on our live game blog)
Also, where would you rank Arkansas right now in the Top 25? Would you keep them out still?
Also, a poll update from WholeHogSports.com. More than 3,500 of you have voted in the last two weeks and 88 percent say the Hogs will reach the NCAA Tournament. That’s quite a contrast before the OU game, when 71 percent of you saw the Big Dance in the Hogs’ future.
Here are some stories from the Northwest Arkansas Times and Democrat-Gazette to check out from last night if you haven’t already:
— Nate Allen: Serving notice: Razorbacks drop Texas for second top-10 upset in a week
— Brandon Marcello: Fortson, Washington bounce back from first-half blues to propel Hogs
— Wally Hall: Ugly game a thing of beauty to Arkansas fans (commentary)
— Bob Holt: ARKANSAS 67, NO. 7 TEXAS 61: Another UA power play
— Tom Murphy: In the Lane (notes)
— Rob Keys: Wide-open Welsh makes Texas pay
– Brandon Marcello
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