Following six straight losses, including a one and done loss to Georgia in the SEC Tournament, the Razorback basketball weekend was anything but quiet.
– First, a local television sports anchor was reading his station-sponsored message board and decided to report on Saturday afternoon that Rotnei Clarke was “strongly considering” transferring. Uh huh.
Before the weekend was over, other reports had it “virtually certain” that Clarke would remain a Razorback. But no doubt Rotnei “strongly considered” his options before deciding!
– An ad was placed in Sunday’s Democrat-Gazette recommending that Hog fans write letters to the infamous “powers that be.” The ad was paid for by a “G. Cluck of Niceville, Florida.” Because, you know, saying it was purchased by “Bubba from the Redneck Riviera” didn’t quite sound as believable.
– A sportswriter linked to a message board in a blog post on Sunday morning to illustrate the state of mind of Razorback basketball fans. Somewhat of an unusual practice…but since said sportswriter also links to the crazy stuff we write on this site, it’s cool.
– Assistant Coach Isaac Brown was reportedly either fired or reassigned on Sunday afternoon just three days after Coach Pelphrey indicated that he liked the “continuity” of his staff.
– And finally, late word on Sunday night that “there is a lot happening behind the scenes” and that “nothing is certain right now for UA basketball. Nothing. Other than Rotnei returns.”
Because, as we learned through the course of this crazy weekend, Rotnei has “strongly considered” the meaning of life and has decided to continue living it on The Hill. We think. (We hope.)
As for us here at RazorBloggers, we have a season-ending basketball post ready to run. But honestly, with all that’s “happening,” we’re going to hold it for a few days (weeks?) until we see exactly who will be playing and coaching on this team next season.
Stay tuned. Like the real “Big Dance,” it looks like the Madness may just be getting started.
TipsterHog also contributed to the post.
Miss. St. wins their division, beats Florida, takes Kentucky to overtime in the Championship game and can't get in the dance? Boy, talk about no love for the West.
"There is no news. Nothing has changed," doesn't sound too much like a ringing endorsement. Sounds more like 'we haven't made up our mind yet.' Pelphry is not making it easy on them. You do almost get the feeling he wants out. That may be our biggest hurdle, not the fans.
Zook took unprecedented hell at Florida. It didn't stop Meyer from going there instead of Notre Dame. And, it didn't stop Zook from recruiting the players Meyer took to the NT. Kentucky fired Kilespie after two years. It didn't stop Calipari from going there. Still, you don't follow Heath and Pelphry with another youngster. If you do this, you have to find another Petrino. And, let him run his own show.
Who is coaching Baylor and New Mexico? You don't see those teams seeded very often. That had to take some building.
They've got a week to kill. Their guy is most likely not in the sweet sixteen. Or, maybe he should be. That would be a good place to do some shopping.
Or, wait until next year.
Does anyone really believe these new pieces are going to make a big difference or is that just more of the same old white wash? That is a dangerous game that they play; over-hyping the team to sell tickets. What do they expect when it goes bad?
Does Pelphry have any real shot with one more year??? All of the sports writers were toeing the party line up until about 10 days ago. Now they all seem to have joined the fans. What's up with that? Did the word go out??
I, for one, highly doubt that Pelphrey is replaced this off-season. With our APR as it stands, the recruiting that's been done for next season's kids and the Arkansas kids for 2011-2012 — it's almost a given Pel is here another season. That is, UNLESS, Arkansas can land a solid, no-brainer, you gotta have this coach, coach.
My thought is that instead of removing Pel, they're going to shake up the staff and get him some better help — more offensive- and defensive-minded coaches. All that with the notion that next year being the rubber year for Pel.
Our program can't afford any more attrition right now. Pel stays another season to help ease that tension.
Just answered my own question. Alford takes New Mexico to a three seed in two seasons. Why wasn't he on the short list when we were looking last time? Amazing!? He needs a new agent.
It was that "bad loss" to Arkansas that wrecked their chances!
Golf, Arkansas isn't Florida or Kentucky. I think Arkansas is untouchable for any big name coach until the program (APR, AD, etc) is stable. Maybe one or 2 more years?
You forget, Arkansas football was pretty well established prior to nabbing Petrino, and Broyles was on the way out. Good timing for everyone. Basketball right now is a different story. Sure, if a big name coach is available (don't see any of those coming unless NC cans Roy Williams for having a bad year) Long would be stupid not to pursue. But all of that is unlikely.
Baylor has done a great job rebuilding it's program, but it's taken a while. Much longer than you and others have given Pel. New Mexico is in a weak conference. The land NM plays in is a long way from the SEC baby.
I'm shocked Florida got in over Miss St. I suppose their loss to Arkansas really hurt them
.
So, you are saying Long is out the door behind Pelphry? That will be good news to many. I had thought that the Petrino hire would insulate him for awhile but, as you say, he was making a mess of that when he lucked out. Probably time for him to go. He has made a real mess of the Pelphry deal. And, that was not small trick; adding to the mess Pelphry was making with both hands.
I do hate it when fans disrespect our program. We have a wonderful facility that we put more people in it than anyone but Kentucky. There is nothing wrong with Arkansas basketball that a hall of fame coach won't fix. My point was not that we are Florida or Kentucky. It was simply that there is alot of smoke directed at the fans and the situation that completely disappears once action is taken. Real coaches want real opportunity. This is a top tier job in the SEC for the right guy. Admittedly that is not saying much right now. But, that is hardly all Arkansas' fault.
They don't give 3 seeds to weak sisters. Alford looks like the real deal to me. The fact that he could recruit that well to a weak sister is all that much more impressive.
My comment about AD stability is tenure only. Long seems to be doing a fine job in my opinion.
Arkansas is not viewed as top tier program in the SEC. That distinction belongs to Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, and lately Vanderbilt. If you're looking for someone to blame, it's the prior administration – not Long and Pelphrey. Those guys are the ones that are trying to bring us up from the depths of hell.
I'm ready to be proven wrong about NM. We shall see here in a week or so.
Soup, you're a class is half empty kinda guy? We can do better. It is not a bleak as it seems.
I don't know what you've heard, but reports are swirling around KC that Pelphrey has rented a bulldozer and will tear down HALF of Bud Walton Arena. I hope that's not true.
I think they are justing taking out 5,000 seats around the rim to put in more sky boxes.
Somebody tell me what the hell is going on? Since when was the UA athletic department leak free? For the love of God, come on!
It's probably because what's going on is the worst possible thing…
nothing.
I would say this about that:
The worst possible thing would be to go through this again. This year, next year, or 2012, let's get it right THIS time. Please.