So I'm officially moving on...

[the Prodigy]

... to basketball. With the hostage situation going on in the football locker room, I can't help but turn my attentions, hopes, and dreams toward a promising basketball season. Don't get me wrong, I am still going to the games, wearing red (not black) and calling the hogs at DWR, but I have come to accept that this coaching staff doesn't know what is going on, or what they have in this talented Arkansas Football team.

SOOOO..... on to Basketball.

[Smithian]

In Pelphrey We Trust

Glad you joined the group, konrad powerade.

[Stark]

I don't understand everyone's confidence in Pelphrey. We haven't even played a game yet. He was a nobody or else we couldn't have got him. I don't don't trust him to do any better than Heath until I see them play.

[PuddingTime]

I'd love to see Pel succeed...but his track record at USA wasn't phenomenal. If he can't get it done w/the group of talent ya'll have this season, that should set off alarms right off the bat. Good luck to ya'll this season, you know, except for that one game :D

[Gator2753]

I don't mean to toot my own horn here but umm...Toot!
So I guess my 9-3 best case scenario is starting to look less stupid huh powerade? Were only half way through the season and you already have 3 losses.
And don't tell me you have forgotton already. Here is the link for anyone who doesnt know what im talking about.
http://www.sectalk.com/boards/arkansas/19622-best-case-worst-case-scenario-arkansas-3.html

[iacolb12]

I don't understand everyone's confidence in Pelphrey. We haven't even played a game yet. He was a nobody or else we couldn't have got him. I don't don't trust him to do any better than Heath until I see them play.

I'm pretty optimistic for continued improvement under Pelfrey. He's the way you hire a young coach. Someone with a pedigree.

Think of Rick Pitino, Billie Gillespie and Billy Donovan. They all got their start playing for and coaching under great coaches themselves.

As far as this year's team, well the book is still out.

[Cianne]

Pelphrey wasn't a nobody. He was the best coach in the state of Alabama.

[Chivas]

I give Pel one, hear it ONE season, if he's not in the tournament this year then something is wrong.

[PuddingTime]

When the two major programs are Auburn and Alabama in that state, being the best coach isn't saying a whole lot. One gets talent and doesn't use it and the other couldn't give two craps about the game of basketball other than a guy named Barkley.

I'm ALL....100% for Pelphrey getting the Hogs back to where they were in '94...but in my heart of hearts I don't see it happening. I would love for him to prove me wrong. He's a Kentuckian and a Wildcat, so I wish him nothing but the best, but I truly don't think he's gonna be, in the long run, the right man for the job. W/that said, Chivas is right on target.....Pelphrey should advance to Sweet 16 w/this team, or "Houston, we have a problem."

[iacolb12]

Well. How can you really judge him based on this season good or bad? It's the team that Heath built. The same players that never seemed to learn the fundamentals of the game.

You take Townes and Weems out of last year's club and Arkansas has a losing record.

I'll grade Pelphrey based on whether this team continues to throw the ball away, not block-out and failing to get back on defense. That's the three things that kill a team and are three things that fall on the coach's head. But I won't hang him after one season.

[PuddingTime]

If he can recruit. The biggest recruiting base around there is Texas....but we already know UK and Gillispie have the Lonestar State locked up :D

[iacolb12]

I think we've managed more recruits out of Louisiana than Texas for years now.

[the Prodigy]

I don't mean to toot my own horn here but umm...Toot!
So I guess my 9-3 best case scenario is starting to look less stupid huh powerade? Were only half way through the season and you already have 3 losses.
And don't tell me you have forgotton already. Here is the link for anyone who doesnt know what im talking about.
http://www.sectalk.com/boards/arkansas/19622-best-case-worst-case-scenario-arkansas-3.html

Nope haven't forgotten. And you still look pretty stupid. Just because things didn't turn out the way I thought they would, doesn't mean I had no reason to believe what I did. The ingredients were there, and your prediction was based on nothing that has a legitimate place in this discussion.

[the Prodigy]

There is certainly reason to Trust Pelphrey based on his pedigree and not so much his track record. His Track record wasn't spectacular as a head coach, but he knows what winning looks like from nearly every angle. As a player, as a coach, albeit assisstant coach. That is something that Heath was missing. He had one good run in the Tourney. Pelphrey knows what Championship teams look like, and when you are around winning your whole life, it makes executing that same attitude much easier. He is at a good program to build that attitude as well.

Let's not kid ourselves, he WILL have to build it. Arkansas has a great history but it isn't like Arkansas is basketball royalty. Though they certainly have the potential to be.

[Gator2753]

Nope haven't forgotten. And you still look pretty stupid. Just because things didn't turn out the way I thought they would, doesn't mean I had no reason to believe what I did. The ingredients were there, and your prediction was based on nothing that has a legitimate place in this discussion.

Yeah ok. Losing your better QB to USC had nothing to do with it[enter Arkansas passing stats]
Face it, I wasn't the only one who thought that Arkansas would have an off year & that prediction is becoming more & more true.
Your theory was based on the fact that you guys didn't really lose anyone (except your best QB) & since you guys beat UT and AU last year that you would do the same this year. So much for that theory as Auburn shut down your offense already. NTM your 0-3 and have yet to play LSU & UT.
What ever. The current W-L record backs my prediction much better than yours.
Like I said, 9-3 was your bast case scenario and that was a charity. Looks like your headed for below my worst case scenario:ph34r:

[the Prodigy]

One thing about Pelphrey is that he is recruiting well on paper so far. Picking up rivals' no.9 overall player. Although, the fact that he is 5'10 means that no.9 spot may be a title only.

Anyone know who Courtney Fortson is?

[the Prodigy]

Yeah ok. Losing your better QB to USC had nothing to do with it[enter Arkansas passing stats]
Face it, I wasn't the only one who thought that Arkansas would have an off year & that prediction is becoming more & more true.
Your theory was based on the fact that you guys didn't really lose anyone (except your best QB) & since you guys beat UT and AU last year that you would do the same this year. So much for that theory as Auburn shut down your offense already. NTM your 0-3 and have yet to play LSU & UT.
What ever. The current W-L record backs my prediction much better than yours.
Like I said, 9-3 was your bast case scenario and that was a charity. Looks like your headed for below my worst case scenario:ph34r:

In each of Arkansas' losses this season, it has come down to coaching decisions. Hold Auburn to ZERO TD's means Arkansas should have won. The OL got owned up front because the playcalling was predictable. Arkansas had bama off the ropes, but poor defensive playcalling ended Arkansas late game surge, not to mention that the original game plan on defense was essentially scrapped, and Arkansas just manned up on Bama and began to dominate - visa vi better athletes. Against Kentucky - McFadden off tackle as well as RB's being ill translated into no running game. Injuries to the top 3 receivers on the team had nothing to do with it either....

My basing my predictions on returning players takes a hit with the things I can't predict. Injuries, sickness.

And where I fell short was trusting that the coaches knew what was going on, and how to continue their past success, but they were predictable and boring on offense and eventually that will get you beat no matter how good of athletes you have.

And you have no idea how good MM is because he's never played a down at USC, and he probably never will.

[The Ramp]

It wasn't the fact that you predicted Ark to only have one loss is that you DEMANDED everyone to agree. The fact that we didn't agree with you, you took it as a personal affront to ark. you and swinetime went on and on GUARANTEEING the SEC West and disparaged anyone who disagreed pulling the "no respect" card. we're all homers, but you guys took to another level. you can't spout out all that nonsense and get away with it. hat's off to gator for calling you out for you boldness.

[soupd]

It wasn't the fact that you predicted Ark to only have one loss is that you DEMANDED everyone to agree. The fact that we didn't agree with you, you took it as a personal affront to ark. you and swinetime went on and on GUARANTEEING the SEC West and disparaged anyone who disagreed pulling the "no respect" card. we're all homers, but you guys took to another level. you can't spout out all that nonsense and get away with it. hat's off to gator for calling you out for you boldness.

I understand powerade's frustration, and I'm there too....Arkansas was in a position to win in all three losses, but blew it on some clutch plays that could have easily gone either way....no late interference calls or 1st down measurement timeout against Alabama, no fumble by Smith against Kentucky, make a field goal OR catch some well thrown passes against Auburn. So from a fan's perspective these losses are particularly hard since we should be undefeated at this point. From the beatdown us Hog fans get on the fact we're 0-3 you would think we got blown out by 40 in each loss when in reality we are VERY competitive and the SEC teams fear us. I'm sure LSU and Florida fans can appreciate this sentiment from their recent losses. Last year the ball bounced our way most of the time, so this season we're on the other side.

For you that think Mustain was/is great, his stats were almost identical to Dick's last year, and Dick played against tougher SEC and big Ten competition. Mustain is not a great QB; he is an overrated player from a small high school in Arkansas that the locals blew way out of proportion.....and by small I mean relative to highly recruited players from big markets like LA, Dallas, etc. He excelled in northwest Arkansas, big deal. Now if he excelled in 5A in the Dallas area, like Chase Daniel (former Southlake HS QB now a Heisman consideration from Missouri) I'd have a different opinion. Time will tell, and I agree with the prior post that Mustain may never play a down at USC, but is a great scout team player for Carroll.

And Ramp, I was amazed by the # of posts you have....that's like 800 posts a month....do you have a life outside of this website?

[The Ramp]

I'm not saying Ark is a bad team or jesting your pre-season optimism, but you Ark fans GUARANTEED the SEC West. redpowerade, swinetime, afwarrior, and smithian posted with such bravado that it's funny to me when it bit them in their collective asses.

btw-I have an easy job...don't hate

[soupd]

you guys have any job openings? :-)

[The Ramp]

you guys have any job openings? :-)

can you post all day, play difficult level spider solitaire, complete master level usa today crossword puzzles, stay awake in meetings, and take 2 hour lunches?

[soupd]

I actually majored in all of that at U of A....

[The Ramp]

I actually majored in all of that at U of A....

LMAO:laugh:

[iacolb12]

I have to slap myself for believing the hype this year. There is one rule that has stood the test of time with the piggies for years. Expect the opposite of what pundits say.

If the press says Arkansas will stink, get the parade route planned.
If they say we're awesome, buy Kleenex.

[the Prodigy]

I never GARUNTEED anything. But I was very confident in this team. And they have the athletes to be an undefeated team right now. They got beat, predicting that LSU would lose any games at all, much less to Kentucky -a very solid and surprisingly deep Kentucky - was crazy. Hey, I'll say it, I had misplaced confidence in this coaching staff. But all the reason's I gave for believing Arkansas could go 11-1 were and are completely legit.

[the Prodigy]

Back to Basketball.

[PuddingTime]

I think we've managed more recruits out of Louisiana than Texas for years now.

lol...it was just my lame attempt at trash talking humor. :D

[The Ramp]

I never GARUNTEED anything. But I was very confident in this team. And they have the athletes to be an undefeated team right now. They got beat, predicting that LSU would lose any games at all, much less to Kentucky -a very solid and surprisingly deep Kentucky - was crazy. Hey, I'll say it, I had misplaced confidence in this coaching staff. But all the reason's I gave for believing Arkansas could go 11-1 were and are completely legit.

don't make me pull out the thread where you said, "Ark will go 11-1. Book it."

LMAO

[AFWarrior83]

I am optimist about Pel, but at least he has the talent to do something. At least we're going to get to see an uptempo game for a change. I think Beverly will excell in this system, Pel just needs to recruit well.

[WooHawg]

I know Pel hasn't coached a game yet but so far I have been impressed. Yes he looks good on paper for his recruiting but at least he is going after these guys.
Andre Clark committed to the Hogs this week on SportsRap. His AAU coach said on pure talent he is the best he has coached besides Brewer and Johnson. Also Clark went on to say that Heath never recruited him at all and he was just waiting for someone from Arkansas to make a move. This guy may not pan out but at least Pel we after the guy. If he can pull Rotnei Clarke who from when I heard him speaking on the radio, sounds like a solid kid and can play.
Not saying that Pelphrey is gonna lead us all the way here but so far, I like what I see.

[AFWarrior83]

I'm not saying Ark is a bad team or jesting your pre-season optimism, but you Ark fans GUARANTEED the SEC West. redpowerade, swinetime, afwarrior, and smithian posted with such bravado that it's funny to me when it bit them in their collective asses.

btw-I have an easy job...don't hate


I didn't post any BOLD predictions "This year".

I thought we would beat Alabama, but with 8 seconds left, they scored a TD to win.

I thought we'd beat UK, but with a huge lead in the first 1/2 Micheal Smith fumbled and let UK back in the game to close the half. With Woodson at QB, UK took total advantage of the oppertunity and jumped all over UA.

Now I know that in previous years I've made some bold statments, but not this year. I had a good feeling about our team and I still do, but I know that the ball has to bounce your way sometimes, and this year it hasn't went our way. :thumpsup:

[Hawgwild]

Wow i totally forgot about this forum, i was looking for some basketball conversation and found this place again. I look for the hogs to be pretty good this year, winning the west. We should know pretty early on with the game against Virginia Comm, which should be a crazy game with an extremely fast tempo and full court pressing by both teams all the time. Hopefully you guys talk a lot about basketball so i can stick around here.

[the Prodigy]

John Pelphrey played almost 8 minutes and scored a 3 pointer in last night's red vs. white game..... If there weren't any people excited about basketball, they should be now.... It was awesome.

[Smithian]

I love Pel.

[AFWarrior83]

It should be fun!

[iacolb12]

What I like is that Pelphrey held out Beverly and Ervin because they aren't meeting his academic criteria. That and he's riding Steven Hill's butt to be better offensively.

I think it's gonna be a good year.

[the Prodigy]

This guy knows what it takes to turn the sloppy, slow, lackluster, players from last year into a potentially top 10 team this year. They have the players, if they capitalize on their chances, I see no reason why they won't go deep into the tournament.

[AFWarrior83]

Anyone seen how Patrick Beverly has looked running the press? I think he's going to have a great year and put up some big numbers.

[iacolb12]

So how did the hogs do vs. Campbellsville? I've yet to see any bball action this year. Sigh.

[the Prodigy]

So how did the hogs do vs. Campbellsville? I've yet to see any bball action this year. Sigh.

They did well, but they also had moments where they over pursued and got burned on defense. That is a problem that I hope will be corrected before conference play.