Hogwired.com: Sanchez, Britt Become Pelphrey’s First Hog Signees
Forward Michael Sanchez of Sprindgale Har-Ber and guard Marcus Britt of Forrest City are the first Arkansas basketball signees for head coach John Pelphrey, and they join one of Sanchez’s teammates, Nate Rakestraw, as the newest members of the Razorbacks for the 2007-08 season.
Marcus Britt — 6′ 3″, 180-pound Combo Guard,
Michael Sanchez — 6′ 9″, 230-pound Power Forward
- Dudley Dawson: Hogs Add Combo Guard To Mix, Sanchez To Sign With Razorbacks Today
- Nate Allen: Forrest City guard Britt to sign with Razorbacks
- Democrat-Gazette: Britt, Sanchez say yes to Razorbacks
- Nathan Allen: Sanchez Seals Deal, Inks With Hogs
- Chris Bahn: Sanchez, Britt sign to be Hogs, just as they hoped
- Nate Allen: Har-Ber forward Sanchez, Forrest City guard Britt sign with Hogs
- Scout.com: Michael Sanchez Player Profile
Nate Rakestraw — 6′ 4″, 212-pound Shooting Guard
- Chris Bahn: Hogs rake up shooting guard
- Scout.com: Nate Rakestraw Player Profile
Updated 5/16/07 7:25 a.m.
These first two scholarships mean little. It is the seven next year that we have to worry about. Two or three of those need to go national, top 50 national. We will know soon enough.
That is the real concern with Pelphry. He looks to have what it takes to run the team and grow into a game day coach and Lord knows anything there is an improvement. Does he have the skills and connections to recruit?
In the same situation Stan went national for a couple of questionable late signees. Pelphry seems to be going local early both now and for the future. We can use some local flavor. We haven't had that since Eddie. But, if we get stuck there we will be the next Ole Miss, not the next Florida.
Blind, I agree with much or your assessment, but I don't think we should underestimate the job Pelphry has done in stablizing the program. Considering the turmoil of the jobsearch and the fact that it left us behind other teams I think it is significant that he lost none of the existing players (McCurdy was already gone), kept the lone signee, and landed someone of Sanchez's stature. Some kids you may sign because their pretty good and their local, but I think Sanchez is the real deal regardless of where he is from. This is momentum in the right direction.
I like John. But, I liked Stan. One thing I will say, as much as I liked Stan, as much as I hoped he would do well, he never had that thing, that something. John doesn't just talk like coach, or look like a coach, he projects COACH. There is that something that is leadership that a real coach always has.
But, is he a big time coach? No one will convince me that anything but Ws is going to answer that question. That is what all the great one have, WINS.
The other question is does he get a honeymoon? Based on our circumstances I don't think he gets the full 5 years. It feels more like 3 or 4 tops.
I like these three kids we have coming in. We have 3 different positions coverd here, not to mention more guard depth. Sanchez will be a great player in a few years. Looking forward to Coach Pelphrey bringing in more top recruits next year to go along with these guys. Pelphrey is smart. When the out of state kids that Pelphrey is looking at see that he is bringing in all of the best local talent, and not losing them to outside competition, they will want to be a part of what he is constructing here at the UofA. Pelphrey is setting the stage for somthing great! GO HOGS!!
Hogs are on track, I really believe that.
I certainly hope that he can make Kentucky regret the day that passed him up for Gillespie.
Sanchez is the real deal. Take a look at him on the video we took from a tournament in Atlanta. I think he is going to be a great addition.
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