The Traveler

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jonathan Gibson Members of the 1994 basketball team gather in front of a sold-out crowd at the Georgia game in Bud Walton Arena Sunday.

These Razorbacks knew they couldn't lose.

Not with the 1994 National Championship team in attendance.

Not with former Razorbacks like Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman in attendance.

And not with former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson in attendance.

"No disrespect to Georgia, but we just couldn't lose this game," Arkansas freshman Courtney Fortson said. "The national champs were here to watch us in person, and Nolan was here to watch us, too. So we couldn't lose this game. We played as hard as we've ever played."

Fellow freshman Rotnei Clarke said the Razorbacks didn't want to disappoint the returning players.

"It would have been embarrassing if it would have happened any other way," Clarke said.

"We didn't want to let these guys down."

Junior Michael Washington agreed with his teammates and said he would have been upset had the Razorbacks lost.

"You've got the 1994 team here," Washington said. "You've got Nolan Richardson here. I'd feel bad [losing], so I'm glad we won today."

Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said he told the Razorbacks to play hard with the champions in attendance.

"We've got so much honor and respect for the championship team and Coach Richardson," Pelphrey said. "I told the team that we've got to make sure that we perform in a way that will bring honor and glory to those guys."

Pelphrey even sported cowboy boots during the game in honor of Richardson, who was known for wearing boots of his own during his tenure at Arkansas.

Pelphrey joked he didn't wear the alternative footwear "because of my affection for cowboy boots."

Former Arkansas guard Corey Beck, a member of the championship team, spoke to the current Razorbacks before the game, and Fortson said he had some good advice for the team.

"He basically said to stop crying, man up, live up to your mistakes and don't point your finger at nobody else," Fortson said.

Razorbacks past and present were united Saturday night at a banquet in Springdale, allowing the young Hogs to learn from the lessons of champions.

At the end of the day, Fortson said he felt it was an honor to spend time with the team that means so much to the Arkansas basketball program.

"It was a privilege to be around that team because they've brought so much to Arkansas and so much tradition to this great program," Fortson said.

"It was an honor to be around those guys."

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