Razorbacks Hoopsters Beat Dillard
We know it’s only the second game of the season, and we know they are playing against NAIA school Dillard University, but the John Pelphrey’s young Razorbacks continue to impress in early season action.
Five Razorbacks finished in double figures, and the Razorbacks downed the Blue Devils 108-80.
Freshman point guard Courtney Fortson made his debut for the Hogs, and was every bit as good as advertised with 11 points and 10 assists. Fortson was a little shaky early, but settled down and was able to penetrate the lane at will, and made some great feeds to Razorback big men that resulted in easy baskets. Rotnei Clarke also turned in another great game with 20 points on 5-9 shooting from 3 point range, and 5-5 free throw shooting. Michael Washington turned in another solid effort racking up a double double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. We can’t wait to see these guys against some better competition, but mark our words, these guys are gonna surprise a lot of people this year. It’s a long way to the NCAA tourney in March, but we wouldn’t rule these young Razorbacks out of it yet.
Notes:Montrell McDonald is the best dunker the Razorback have had since Sonny Weems. McDonald had at least two pretty incredible slams Thursday night, once right in the face of one of Dillard’s big men. We can’t wait to see what else he has in his bag of tricks.
When Dillard player Michael Bridges fouled out late in the game, the students and band members at Bud Walton Arena made him pay for it. Students, as they usually do when someone fouls out, chanted “Left, Right, Left, Right” as Bridges walked off the court. Bridges became aware of it, as his steps became deliberate as he neared the bench, and he started laughing. To antagonize the students, Bridges stood the rest of the game as the students, the band, and even Boss Hog motioned for him to sit, chanted and even broke into song, singing “Michael Bridges sitting down.”
The Razorbacks pressed for most of the game and were able to create 22 turnovers against the Blue Devils. Michael Sanchez looks great on the ball in the full court press, even with the pretty nasty shiner he’s gonna have tomorrow. Sanchez caught an elbow early in the game, and played the rest of the game with a huge swollen eye, and a large bandage over a pretty nasty cut.
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brains
November 7, 2008
The ball hogs are really looking good this year. But, I have to say, I was really impressed with the Razorback band. They really get into the game and keep the crowd cheering. I mean, first Thriller on the football field and now electric guitars for basketball. The band is really stepping it up and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the season.
BROSEPH JENKINS
November 7, 2008
Clarke is freaking wizard. 5 threes again?!
Total Bastard
November 7, 2008
Yeah brains:
The pep band seemed jazzy for sure.
The geetars were a nice touch. It seems like they are having more fun than in past years. I liked the little chant they were doing when the opposition was shooting freethrows.
Didn’t they get some new cool dude as their director?
Righteous.
The Infidel
November 7, 2008
TB: Jeremy Pratchard is the new director. He’s a young, hip guy who’ll be a nice change of pace from the old farts that have run the band for the last decade (read:Tim Gunter). That band (and, of course, hopefully the team) will only get better as the year goes on. Look for new songs, cheers, etc. This should be a GREAT year for Razorback basketball.
Total Bastard
November 8, 2008
I don’t really want to critique any of the individual players, but I think we’ll be lucky to break even in conference play. I think we are decent, and might even make the tourney, but we’re not all that good.
The ribbon-boards we were promised around the arena as part of the renovation are not up yet. I was a little bummered to see that they werent.