Scrappy. Tenacious. Just like their coach.
Never back down. Game on. This IS Razorback Basketball.
For the second week in a row, we had a game and a crowd in Bud Walton that was better than any we’ve seen in at least the last 10 years.
Taking down both Oklahoma and Texas was pretty sweet. When you see elderly ladies bouncing up and down, double-handing the upside down ‘Hook’em Horns’ after the game…well, that’s priceless.
Against Oklahoma, I thought our eight players were better than their eight players. With Texas, they were men and we were boys. We were the bumblebee that flies in spite of the fact that science says it’s impossible.
But the Hogs fed off the crowd and dug deep. Their will to win was overwhelming. And as we all watched, this team grew up right before our eyes.
Stefan Welsh has been a machine, playing lots of very solid minutes and multiple roles. His three point shooting against Oklahoma was the spark, not to mention the key trey he hit late against Texas.
Marcus Monk — quite simply, you don’t win either of those games without him. With his toughness, he is a man among men. His athleticism and hustle at key times were as strong as anyone on the floor. After only a few weeks on the team, he is already a key, key contributor. Amazing.
While Courtney Fortson has also been pretty outstanding, he’s still a work in progress and has some poor stretches. He’s at his best when he isn’t breaking down three guys off the dribble…while at the same time looking for his shot. When he starts looking to pass first, he’s much more dangerous and his shot gets even better.
Yes…Fortson will make at least two or three totally foolish turnovers per game. But he plays super-tough and bangs on defense — getting his hands on a lot of balls and snatching rebounds well beyond his size. Plus…his intangibles are off the charts. He brings huge energy to the floor. I love him.
Michael Washington is having the breakout season I expected. Add a drop step to the left to his arsenal and he’ll be unstoppable down low. (I can help with coaching that if needed.) And he is (finally) going to the basket strong every time.
But what about another big guy? Before the year is out, we’re definitely going to need someone else to step up and be a banger.
I feel good about the state of Arkansas basketball. John Pelphery has done an outstanding job coaching up these guys. His scheduling strategy has paid off. He’s brought in excellent talent. Most importantly, he has the Hogs playing hard and with a lot of backbone.
These guys are tough at home. After Saturday, we’ll see how they bring it on the road in the SEC.
It is fun to watch.
Washington figured to be good, a force inside. I didn't see this level of play though. I thought Welsh wanted to be a good leader for the youngsters. I didn't expect this level of play though. You had to figure Monk would add some maturity and stability. I didn't see this level of play, although you do have to remember what a stud he was in high school. Under achieving under Stan as a freshman is no surprise. I hoped the youngsters would show us what the hype was all about. I didn't see this level of play coming.
To me, it is the perfect storm. Pelphry of course deserves tons of credit for his coahcing but also his recruiting. All the way to the end of the bench these guys play hard, with purpose and passion.
It is fun to watch.
Great post HogBlogger. I totally agree with your assesment of Fortson.
Back in pre-season, Pelphrey was quoted as saying several different times, this team will have to grow up quik, raise the bar, and over-achieve to win games, because they should always exspect to play in the NCAA tournament.
I think they bought into that way of thinking early and never looked back.
Now, with as much sucsess as they've seen already, they'll never do it any other way. The proof is in the pudding.
The fact that Fortson is being trained to be "the man" this early, is a reflection of just how serious Pelphrey was when he made those statements.
Yes, he'll be allowed his foolish two or three plays a game, because Pelphrey knows Fortson is at his best, overall, when he's going full throttle.
Fortson is only going to get better and better. (That's pretty exciting stuff)
Pelphrey's commited to bringing back greatness to the UofA basketball program.
He's talked about it repeatedly since he was hired over a year and a 1/2 ago.
He alway's tells his players it's a privelege to wear that uniform, and to remember what it represents. He deserves a lot of credit for that, and deserves it weather he wins or loses.
I think we're witnessing the resurgence of big time college basketball in BWA. Don't cha just love it?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……PIG!!! …SOOWIE!!!!! (damn right it feels good!)
Good post. Love Coach Pelphrey's quote:
"There's a long way to go, but to this point in time, there's just something about them," Pelphrey said. "They do fight."
Win or lose, they've not backed down. That will serve them well when they go on the road in the SEC.
What would last year's team done against OU and Texas? I can tell you….they would have folded like a cheap suit.