Things Are Looking Up for the Hoop Hogs
Just when you thought the Hoop Hogs were a lost cause, things are looking up lately. Even without starting forward Charles Thomas, the Razorbacks beat the crap out of the bulldogs, 78-58.
Mississippi State had won 9 straight, and brought an impressive 5-0 record into Bud Walton Arena Wednesday night, but they left with a one game losing steak, and just a game ahead of the Razorbacks in the SEC West.
Sonny Weems led the Razorbacks again with 22 points, and Patrick Beverly chipped in 19 points, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Beverly, at 6′ 1″ leads the SEC in conference games thus far in rebounding, which is completely ridiculous.
But the most exciting part are some of the more subtle trends which are starting to develop. The Razorbacks hit 25 out of 30 free throws (SG will be happy about that) for 83%. Steven Hill scored 9 points in exactly the way you want him to; by hitting high percentage shots and hitting the offensive glass. Sonny Weems is emerging as a legitimate NBA prospect, and a dangerous scoring threat. It seems like everything is coming together for a team that had previously looked like they would fade out in SEC play. Let’s hope this continues Saturday when Billy Donovan and Florida come to town.
Comments
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By Hal on January 30th, 2008
Bring on the Gators!
By sg on January 31st, 2008
Freethrows!!! Look at that. I wonder if that was something that Pelphrey drilled home as kinda important. Reading about this game makes me miss Fayetteville big time. What a win and hopefully the start of a more consistent play. If we play like that (aggressively) for the rest of the season, win or lose, we’ll be a good team.
By JTrain on January 31st, 2008
Man, I wish I had tickets to that game! It was great watching on tv so I can only imagine it was badass at the Bud Walton.
By George on January 31st, 2008
I heard Pelphrey implementing water-boarding as penance for missed free throws. Torture or not…looks like it’s helping.
Patrick Beverly is the man! Now if we could just get Hill & Townes to show some kind of emotion. I mean, do these guys get high before every game or what? It just looks like such an inconvenience for them to be playing college basketball. Maybe that’s why Pelphrey switches them in and out so much…so they don’t get too bored.
By zh on January 31st, 2008
Best game in years. Maybe we play better without Thomas. I know he is a badass, but I’ve been wondering why Weems and Beverly dont have the ball 90% of the time. Maybe Thomas had it. CAN SOMBODY ANSWER THIS QUESTION: Why does Weems always get put on the bench when he gets hot? Heath used to do the same thing to him. Last night after hitting 3 threes in a row and completing a 4 point play, Weems got rested, but it was after a free throw and timeout. He didnt need the rest. It seems to happen like this often. Weems for the NBA!
By jones on January 31st, 2008
zh- Also totally noticed that Weems was taken out everytime he got hot. I have no idea what the hell that is about, but I can also say that we won by 20 so Pell knew what the hell he was doing. Maybe when Weems gets going like that he will just shoot anything (you could see some of that in the second half) so Pell sits him to get him to chill. I don’t know. As of right now, I don’t care either. Like I said, we won by 20.
By hothog on February 1st, 2008
Anyone ever find out what Thomas did?