Hogs, 'Dogs prep for SEC West showdown
Matt Jones
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports
If Arkansas is to make up ground in the Southeastern Conference western division Wednesday night against Mississippi State, it won't come easy.
The Razorbacks will have to do so without the services of senior forward Charles Thomas, who will sit out at least one game for a violation of team rules.
"I have never been so disappointed, and for a million reasons," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "He's definitely out one game, but it has the potential to be longer."
Thomas is averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Razorbacks and has started 14 games this season. A Mississippi-native, Thomas has had some of his most memorable games against the Bulldogs, including an 18-point, 18-rebound effort in last year's SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
Michael Washington will likely start in place of Thomas, but will need to make adjustments, Pelphrey said.
"Michael Washington needs to play better," Pelphrey said. "He sometimes tends to be too much of a team player, if that is possible. He has a lot of respect for the seniors. He understands that down the road more will be expected of him, but I've told him we aren't guaranteed anything so he needs to do his deal now."
Senior Vincent Hunter, who has appeared in just one conference game, might also be asked to step up his playing time, Pelphrey said.
The Bulldogs (14-5, 5-0 SEC) enter Bud Walton Arena Wednesday on a 9-game winning streak and are the lone undefeated team in the SEC. The Bulldogs are coming off an 88-68 win over then-No. 15 Ole Miss, Saturday.
Arkansas (14-5, 3-2 SEC) is looking to keep the division lead within reach following a weekend win at LSU.
"I don't know if this is THE game for us," Pelphrey said, "but it's the next one and it's in our building…This may be the best team we've faced all year."
A win would be huge for the Bulldogs, who would take a 3-game lead in the division. Arkansas, picked to win the SEC West in the preseason, is the only other team in the division with a winning record and could close the Bulldogs' lead to 1-game with a win in the first of a 3-game home-stand.
The Razorbacks will have to do so without the services of senior forward Charles Thomas, who will sit out at least one game for a violation of team rules.
"I have never been so disappointed, and for a million reasons," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "He's definitely out one game, but it has the potential to be longer."
Thomas is averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Razorbacks and has started 14 games this season. A Mississippi-native, Thomas has had some of his most memorable games against the Bulldogs, including an 18-point, 18-rebound effort in last year's SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
Michael Washington will likely start in place of Thomas, but will need to make adjustments, Pelphrey said.
"Michael Washington needs to play better," Pelphrey said. "He sometimes tends to be too much of a team player, if that is possible. He has a lot of respect for the seniors. He understands that down the road more will be expected of him, but I've told him we aren't guaranteed anything so he needs to do his deal now."
Senior Vincent Hunter, who has appeared in just one conference game, might also be asked to step up his playing time, Pelphrey said.
The Bulldogs (14-5, 5-0 SEC) enter Bud Walton Arena Wednesday on a 9-game winning streak and are the lone undefeated team in the SEC. The Bulldogs are coming off an 88-68 win over then-No. 15 Ole Miss, Saturday.
Arkansas (14-5, 3-2 SEC) is looking to keep the division lead within reach following a weekend win at LSU.
"I don't know if this is THE game for us," Pelphrey said, "but it's the next one and it's in our building…This may be the best team we've faced all year."
A win would be huge for the Bulldogs, who would take a 3-game lead in the division. Arkansas, picked to win the SEC West in the preseason, is the only other team in the division with a winning record and could close the Bulldogs' lead to 1-game with a win in the first of a 3-game home-stand.
Be the first to comment on this story