Razorbacks headed to Alabama
Matt Jones
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: Sports
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The Razorbacks are currently in the midst of a seven-game skid, the longest such streak the program has suffered in 37 years. Despite not having a win since the last time they faced Alabama on Jan. 29, the Hogs aren't dealing with confidence issues going into tonight's game with the Crimson Tide.
"Our team doesn't need a win for confidence," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "We need a win for peace of mind. We've led in the second half of five of our last six games and we've lost them all. We've been there. We want the reward of winning."
Arkansas (13-12, 1-11 Southeastern Conference) has just one win in league play - the 89-80 decision against the Crimson Tide inside Bud Walton Arena. Pelphrey said it's tough to say if the team is any better than the last time the two teams met.
"With regards to winning - no," Pelphrey said. "In regards to playing and competing - I hope so. Obviously, we're all results-driven. Pretty much, we have a hard time evaluating anything [other] than the [win-loss] column.
"If we had a .500 record I don't know if I'd be asked that question. Maybe it's because it's our only win in the league. I don't know if it adds any more significance or not. What happens the first game doesn't always carry over to the next time out."
Alabama (14-12, 4-8) is coming off an 87-85 double-overtime win over Mississippi State last weekend, snapping their own losing streak of four games. Pelphrey said he was impressed with the way the team has played since the firing of head coach Mark Gottfried on Jan. 26.
"We know how good of a team Mississippi State is," Pelphrey said. "Alabama has won some games. That's a credit to [interim coach] Phillip [Pearson] and to their players. It's not easy to go through a coaching change. I've been through one, but never at the time in the season they did."
Pelphrey was most impressed with the play of freshman JaMychael Green, who is averaging 12 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in SEC play.
"He's a force already," Pelphrey said. "He's arguably the most talented freshman in our league."
Green, a Montgomery, Ala., native, played high school basketball against Arkansas freshman Courtney Fortson while the two were in high school in the city.
"We had some battles," Fortson said. "I'm sure he has some stories about me and I have some about him."
Pelphrey expects another closely contested match-up like the Razorbacks' recent road losses at South Carolina, Auburn, Mississippi State and LSU. Arkansas is 0-6 on the SEC road this season.
The coach said he expects those close games to pay off eventually.
"At some time, our experience has to start paying off and helping us in [late game] scenarios," Pelphrey said.
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