NCAA Previews: Recognize the Arkansas Razorbacks

Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Record: 21-12, 7-9 in conference
RPI: 48
How They Got In: At-large bid
Seed/Bracket: 12 / East Rutherford

Mascot: Straight outta the Wikipedia: "There are a number of costumed mascots for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks that attend most major sporting events. Big Red (aka the 'Fighting Razorback') is the traditional mascot for the University and represents the intimidating fighting spirit of the Razorbacks at all athletic events. Sue E., is the female hog and is famous for her costume changes and dancing ability. Pork Chop is the 'kid' mascot. Boss Hog, a nine-foot inflatable mascot, joined the mascot family during the 1998-99 football season."

Big Win(s): The Hogs don't really have a "signature" big win. They did sweep Alabama (then ranked #8 and #12). Also beat #23 Vanderbilt. Their most notable accomplishment was advancing from the first round of the SEC Tournament to the finals.

Notable Loss(es): Demolished last December by Texas Tech, steamrolled by Mississippi State (84-60) in conference play. Also lost by 21 points to Florida in the SEC Tournament finals.

Player You Should Know: Six-foot-one frosh guard Patrick Beverley, the SEC Freshman of the Year, gives the Hogs an added dimension. In an average of 34.5 minutes per game, Beverley put up 14.1 points and 1.8 steals every time he took the court. Beverley is a slashing threat and leads the Hogs in points, but is also well known for his clampdown defense.

Outlook: As a 12-seed in a tough bracket, Arkansas has their work cut out for them, but what more can you ask for when you get in the NCAA tournament by the skin of your hogteeth? The Razorbacks face 5th-seeded USC in the first round, which is a winnable game for the Hogs, but should they manage to beat the Trojans they will most likely get red-hot 4th-seeded Texas in the second round. It could be a short dancing trip for Arkansas, but it's enough to save Stan Heath's job for another year.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-19-2007 @ 9:10AM

mcguire95 said...

the hogs are going to bounce usc right out of the tourney. there has been quite a bit of disrespect sent their way and they aim to staighten all the unenlightened out. the trojans play in that overrated pac 12, so i cant imagine how they could possible give the hogs (who play in the battle tested sec west) any type of a tussle.

3-14-2007 @ 4:29PM

Paul said...

I'm proud of how far the Razorbacks have advanced - you can't go through that far in the preliminaries without having accomplished much.

They're a young team and will get better.

I do agree that Coach Heath must tell his guys to get "tough" in the game versus USC and there-on. His allowing the Razorback game plan to fall apart and allow all those long shots without calling a time-out and correcting that error shows that he's not focused. I like Coach Heath when I hear him talk and wish him good luck, but there is a tendency for him to be too soft which is not conducive to creating a truly "feared" team on the court.

The play where Thomas got knocked down by Noah (and injured his ankle) seemed to be a charge. Nonetheless, the ramaining Razorbacks should have arched their backs and been rough right back to the Gators whom continued fouling on offense with their arms and elbows and on defense when the Razorbacks got close to the basket (officials or not).

I hope they will "tough it out" through the tournament and just used their natural talent to take care of the rest.

As for the Gator Fans, "Congratulations",
but some of them should take their win and wish for the best the rest of the way - some team may show Noah and the others whom wish to use an aggressive style like used against the young Razorbacks - the "Door".

3-15-2007 @ 11:57AM

clint said...

you said Arkansas has no 'big' wins. One win you failed to mention was against S. Illinois. As you said we were 'steamrolled' by Mississippi State, but we defeated them twice after that. We defeated LSU 72-52 when they were ranked #16, and handed Vanderbilt their last 2 losses (they were ranked #19). When Alabama was ranked #8, we beat them by 27 points. And we only lost to Texas IN Austin by 4 points. Another team that seems to be getting raves from some of you, Oral Roberts...we beat by 12 points. And before the SEC final, we lost AT Florida by 7 points. I have yet to see where Arkansas' RPI is 48. I've seen it between 35-39 with a SOS of 10 or 11. The RPI is higher than USC, GA Tech, VA, and Vandy to name a few. Sometimes it's just the 'spin' you put on things. ;-)

3-18-2007 @ 8:24AM

mm said...

Lost to Florida in SEC Final game? Please review the game and you will see that AR lost to combined comspiarcy of its coach, referees, and a mean spirited player team, with coach talking to the referees, bending their ears every chance he got and taken,, the players knowingly elbowed, holding, etc, and the refs not calling the roughness by Florida players.
AR did not loose ti good players, it lose to it coach uneithical attach on the referees, uneithical response by the referees, and unithical attachs by the players who knew their coach and the referees were helping them!

The referees should be fired, the coach should be fired, and the game should be called null and void for Florida, and athe champion title should be given to AR.

Fair is fair, eithics should rule, and dirtly coachs should loss their right to return to the game, and athe players who followed uneithical leadership should not be allowed to play in the playoffs!