Time is right for Razorback turnaround
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Sports
With apologies to the King, it's now or never for this Arkansas basketball team.
I don't mean never as in never ever.
I do mean never as in not this year.
After getting two big wins over two top-10 teams in Oklahoma and Texas, the Razorbacks were in position to control, if not dominate, the Southeastern Conference.
But since those two wins, Arkansas has gone colder than Oksana Baiul, at least according to Chazz Michael Michaels in the hit blockbuster "Blades of Glory." The Hogs have dropped their first three SEC games of the season to Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Florida. For those of you keeping track at home, that's 0-2 against the state of Mississippi.
It's a little concerning until you remember the youthful nature of this team.
Only two players on this year's roster have prior starting experience, and three of the starters are freshmen.
It's hard to expect such a young team to keep up such a high level of play over the course of an entire season. There will be ups, downs and everything-in-betweens.
So is there reason to be disappointed with the team's play as of late? Certainly.
But is there cause for concern for the future of the team? Certainly not.
Arkansas fans should relax. Stop worrying about your Hogs. Sure, they've hit a rough patch, but it's not the end of the world - or the season, in this case.
There's no doubt head coach John Pelphrey will turn this ship around.
The shots will start falling again. Opposing teams will start to miss. These things will happen. (Disclaimer: If they don't start to happen, don't blame me.)
Despite the struggles, the Razorbacks are still one of the top teams in the SEC, which isn't actually saying much this season, considering the lack of representation in the polls, but it should be enough to stay in contention for the Western Division crown all season.
And who knows, if the Razorbacks finish with a winning record in conference play, an NCAA Tournament berth could be on the horizon.
I don't mean never as in never ever.
I do mean never as in not this year.
After getting two big wins over two top-10 teams in Oklahoma and Texas, the Razorbacks were in position to control, if not dominate, the Southeastern Conference.
But since those two wins, Arkansas has gone colder than Oksana Baiul, at least according to Chazz Michael Michaels in the hit blockbuster "Blades of Glory." The Hogs have dropped their first three SEC games of the season to Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Florida. For those of you keeping track at home, that's 0-2 against the state of Mississippi.
It's a little concerning until you remember the youthful nature of this team.
Only two players on this year's roster have prior starting experience, and three of the starters are freshmen.
It's hard to expect such a young team to keep up such a high level of play over the course of an entire season. There will be ups, downs and everything-in-betweens.
So is there reason to be disappointed with the team's play as of late? Certainly.
But is there cause for concern for the future of the team? Certainly not.
Arkansas fans should relax. Stop worrying about your Hogs. Sure, they've hit a rough patch, but it's not the end of the world - or the season, in this case.
There's no doubt head coach John Pelphrey will turn this ship around.
The shots will start falling again. Opposing teams will start to miss. These things will happen. (Disclaimer: If they don't start to happen, don't blame me.)
Despite the struggles, the Razorbacks are still one of the top teams in the SEC, which isn't actually saying much this season, considering the lack of representation in the polls, but it should be enough to stay in contention for the Western Division crown all season.
And who knows, if the Razorbacks finish with a winning record in conference play, an NCAA Tournament berth could be on the horizon.
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