Observations & thoughts on Hogs-SCar, pre- and post-game ...

[Kevin McPherson]

Pre-game ...

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/831938061349056512

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/831938578607460352

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/831941573160140800

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/831943325024391168

Post-game ...

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832040540891914240

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832041176945532928

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832051758394388480

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832058897561219072

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832106531202199552

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832042936414113793

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832043805733945344

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832044411672461313

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832045070618615808

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832045805536178181

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832048246847635460

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832046526142746625

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832047394183376903

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832050168434393088

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832051108008906752

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832052435929661443

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832053251851837441

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832055231450058752

[Razorhogger]

Wow!  Second best conference record over the past 3 years.  That either means the league is as bad as what is perceived, or the hogs are much better than the grumbling fans that are blinded by so many years of disappointment. 

I choose glass half full.  WOO PIG!

[BRHogfan]

Wow!  Second best conference record over the past 3 years.  That either means the league is as bad as what is perceived, or the hogs are much better than the grumbling fans that are blinded by so many years of disappointment. 

I choose glass half full.  WOO PIG!

Kentucky over the last 3 years - 1st, 1st, 1st
Florida over the last 3 years - 8th, 8th, 1st
South Carolina last 3 years - 11th, 3rd, 3rd
Arkansas last 3  years - 2nd, 9th, 4th

It averages out to us just barely being better than Florida and South Carolina during that time.  It doesn't hurt that we won 2 SEC Tournament Games in 2014-15 either.

[hogwood]

This sticks out to me the most:

Best SEC records last 3 seasons (reg season + SECT):
1. KY 48-7
2. Hogs 32-21
3. A&M 31-21
4. FL 30-22
5. GA 30-24
6. OM 28-23
7. USC 29-24

[Biggus Piggus]

You cannot look at the Mississippi State, Missouri, Vanderbilt losses + this result and make sense of it all -- UNLESS you acknowledge that Mike Anderson adjusted his defensive philosophy in a major way and found enough to turn the tables.

Not that Arkansas was awesome on defense last night -- only good enough to improve the offensive flow, which thrives on stops and runs.

Yet another slow start last night, but after that, the Razorbacks' offensive efficiency -- on the road against what had been an absolutely great defensive basketball team -- was astonishing.

A HUGE deal:

Arkansas shot 7-14 from 3-pt range (50%)
South Carolina shot 6-22 (27%)

Not a big scoring margin, but note the misses - Arkansas 7, SC 16. The Hogs rebounded enough of those misses to kill just enough Gamecocks possessions to win.

The formula was NOT in turnover margin (-1), but staying roughly even for turnovers was crucial.

The formula was NOT defensive rebounding -- 60% of SC's misses (mushy) -- though offensive rebounding was extremely important (39%, very good) in raising the Razorbacks' efficiency. Six different players grabbed offensive boards. Team effort.

The formula was making shots, running a great offense and giving scorers opportunities. Arkansas did not do it so much with structure -- 12 assists on 30 field goals -- but this team is what it is, a bunch of good one-on-one scorers.

South Carolina had allowed opponents to shoot 28% from 3-pt range, 45% inside the arc. Arkansas made 50% outside and 55% inside. Dayum!

As always, the opponent's best guard went off on the Hogs. Sindarius Thornwell put up 27 points. Crucial detail: Wing guard/forward P.J. Dozier, potential matchup nightmare, scored 9 points on 4-12 shooting. Dozier had 6 assists, 4 turnovers. You could argue that defense against Dozier WAS the game.

Again, Arkansas did not play suffocating defense. South Carolina scored 1.10 points per possession, way above their SEC average of 1.02. This outcome was all about 1) the Hogs destroying the Gamecocks' vaunted man defense (including making 16-18 at the free throw line) and 2) holding Carolina to 27% outside shooting.

As far as inside vs. out goes:

Guard scoring - Arkansas 62, South Carolina 58
Forward scoring - Arkansas 21, South Carolina 18

And the major changes - look at the minutes played. First number's last night, second number is the LSU game.

34 Hannahs 24
32 Barford 30
29 Kingsley 29
27 Watkins 14
26 Thomas 26
21 Macon 28
18 Thompson 11
6 Bailey 9
5 Beard 24
2 Cook 5

Coach Anderson appears to have concluded that he has no point guard. The assist leaders last night were Watkins and Thompson, three apiece.

Also, MA seems to have decided that the Razorbacks' strength is scoring, and they can make more headway by being a great offensive team than by gimping the offense in the player rotation in a futile effort to improve defense. Not going to be great defenders - just don't be terrible, and ensure that they don't get murdered from outside.

This style of basketball...I like this style. Works for me.

[Kevin McPherson]

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/832236189612638208

[Atlhogfan1]

This sticks out to me the most:

Best SEC records last 3 seasons (reg season + SECT):
1. KY 48-7
2. Hogs 32-21
3. A&M 31-21
4. FL 30-22
5. GA 30-24
6. OM 28-23
7. USC 29-24

Like winning the silver medal in the Special Olympics.   

Wonder how much the unbalanced schedule plays into some of these SEC records. 

[Atlhogfan1]

You cannot look at the Mississippi State, Missouri, Vanderbilt losses + this result and make sense of it all -- UNLESS you acknowledge that Mike Anderson adjusted his defensive philosophy in a major way and found enough to turn the tables.

Figured it out just in time.   And Dusty's shooting returned. 

[Biggus Piggus]

It is important to note this: Arkansas did not beat South Carolina by bringing some kind of superhuman energy level to its defensive effort. This wasn't a "win one for Coach" game.

Arkansas won on superior basketball skill. PERIOD.

[BRHogfan]

Are we going to see Beard only play 5 minutes again?  Last time Beard played less than 10 minutes was when he was suspended last year.  Last time he actually played in a game where he only played 5 minutes was a loss to Ole Miss in 2015 and Ky Madden played 32 mins.

[ShadowHawg]

Wonder how much the unbalanced schedule plays into some of these SEC records.

Probably evens out more than it skews things. Certainly more accurate than the old division records.

[ShadowHawg]

Are we going to see Beard only play 5 minutes again?  Last time Beard played less than 10 minutes was when he was suspended last year.  Last time he actually played in a game where he only played 5 minutes was a loss to Ole Miss in 2015 and Ky Madden played 32 mins.

Beard was sick last night and he played plenty of minutes in the second half at LSU when we curb stomped them. Stop with the dis'ing of Beard please.

[HF#1]

I'd be curious to know the last time we had a 25-2 run on the road. Credit to Mike and the team. Whatever changes they are making appear to be working to an extent.

[Poker_hog]

It is important to note this: Arkansas did not beat South Carolina by bringing some kind of superhuman energy level to its defensive effort. This wasn't a "win one for Coach" game.

Arkansas won on superior basketball skill. PERIOD.

USCe missed a lot of open 3s that our other teams have been sinking against us.  On the other hand we shot the ball really well.  It's not rocket science.

[Atlhogfan1]

Probably evens out more than it skews things. Certainly more accurate than the old division records.

Not sure it does completely. ESPN has the CFSS for the last few seasons and this one.

[forrest city joe]

It is important to note this: Arkansas did not beat South Carolina by bringing some kind of superhuman energy level to its defensive effort. This wasn't a "win one for Coach" game.

Arkansas won on superior basketball skill. PERIOD.

So let me get this right.when we win it's because of pure basketball skill?and when we lose,it's because we have a bad head coach.give me a break!you can't have it both ways.

[JayBell]

USCe missed a lot of open 3s that our other teams have been sinking against us.  On the other hand we shot the ball really well.  It's not rocket science.

This was my first thought.  So many teams shoot lights out against Arkansas because they intentionally leave them open.  South Carolina was open all night.  That's why they shot 22 3's.

When teams miss those shots, Arkansas can go on those double digit runs in a hurry.  When they make the open shots, you see losses like Mississippi State, Misssouri and Vanderbilt.

[HF#1]

This was my first thought.  So many teams shoot lights out against Arkansas because they intentionally leave them open.  South Carolina was open all night.  That's why they shot 22 3's.

When teams miss those shots, Arkansas can go on those double digit runs in a hurry.  When they make the open shots, you see losses like Mississippi State, Misssouri and Vanderbilt.

This post has a lot of truth to it. Silva being in foul trouble the majority of the game also helped.

[ShadowHawg]

USCe missed a lot of open 3s that our other teams have been sinking against us.  On the other hand we shot the ball really well.  It's not rocket science.

USC shot a lot of corner 3's. The significance of that is Frank Martin hates the corner 3 because he believes they lead to easy run outs for the opponent.

We were conceding them the shot that their coach doesn't like them taking. They missed most of them. That shouldn't surprise anyone.

Also, SC only has 2 guys who consistently stroke the 3 for them. Why chase the guys who aren't consistent until they prove otherwise?

[c-townfan]

You cannot look at the Mississippi State, Missouri, Vanderbilt losses + this result and make sense of it all -- UNLESS you acknowledge that Mike Anderson adjusted his defensive philosophy in a major way and found enough to turn the tables.

Not that Arkansas was awesome on defense last night -- only good enough to improve the offensive flow, which thrives on stops and runs.

Yet another slow start last night, but after that, the Razorbacks' offensive efficiency -- on the road against what had been an absolutely great defensive basketball team -- was astonishing.

A HUGE deal:

Arkansas shot 7-14 from 3-pt range (50%)
South Carolina shot 6-22 (27%)

Not a big scoring margin, but note the misses - Arkansas 7, SC 16. The Hogs rebounded enough of those misses to kill just enough Gamecocks possessions to win.

The formula was NOT in turnover margin (-1), but staying roughly even for turnovers was crucial.

The formula was NOT defensive rebounding -- 60% of SC's misses (mushy) -- though offensive rebounding was extremely important (39%, very good) in raising the Razorbacks' efficiency. Six different players grabbed offensive boards. Team effort.

The formula was making shots, running a great offense and giving scorers opportunities. Arkansas did not do it so much with structure -- 12 assists on 30 field goals -- but this team is what it is, a bunch of good one-on-one scorers.

South Carolina had allowed opponents to shoot 28% from 3-pt range, 45% inside the arc. Arkansas made 50% outside and 55% inside. Dayum!

As always, the opponent's best guard went off on the Hogs. Sindarius Thornwell put up 27 points. Crucial detail: Wing guard/forward P.J. Dozier, potential matchup nightmare, scored 9 points on 4-12 shooting. Dozier had 6 assists, 4 turnovers. You could argue that defense against Dozier WAS the game.

Again, Arkansas did not play suffocating defense. South Carolina scored 1.10 points per possession, way above their SEC average of 1.02. This outcome was all about 1) the Hogs destroying the Gamecocks' vaunted man defense (including making 16-18 at the free throw line) and 2) holding Carolina to 27% outside shooting.

As far as inside vs. out goes:

Guard scoring - Arkansas 62, South Carolina 58
Forward scoring - Arkansas 21, South Carolina 18

And the major changes - look at the minutes played. First number's last night, second number is the LSU game.

34 Hannahs 24
32 Barford 30
29 Kingsley 29
27 Watkins 14
26 Thomas 26
21 Macon 28
18 Thompson 11
6 Bailey 9
5 Beard 24
2 Cook 5

Coach Anderson appears to have concluded that he has no point guard. The assist leaders last night were Watkins and Thompson, three apiece.

Also, MA seems to have decided that the Razorbacks' strength is scoring, and they can make more headway by being a great offensive team than by gimping the offense in the player rotation in a futile effort to improve defense. Not going to be great defenders - just don't be terrible, and ensure that they don't get murdered from outside.

This style of basketball...I like this style. Works for me.

Beyond excellent breakdown. Thank you for this. Enjoyed it as always.

[Biggus Piggus]

So let me get this right.when we win it's because of pure basketball skill?and when we lose,it's because we have a bad head coach.give me a break!you can't have it both ways.

Only great coaches are consistent from game to game. The rest have their good and bad moments. You know that. Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Vanderbilt were not good moments for MA. You know that, too.

I'm pleased with the game plan that MA came up with this time against Frank Martin and South Carolina. Largely owned the second-ranked defensive team in the country. That was a great coaching job. Makes the previous blunders all the more mystifying, but MA appears to have figured out a lot of things about his team.

Edit: I just realized that you don't understand - superior basketball skill IS coaching. Right?

[forrest city joe]

This was my first thought.  So many teams shoot lights out against Arkansas because they intentionally leave them open.  South Carolina was open all night.  That's why they shot 22 3's.

When teams miss those shots, Arkansas can go on those double digit runs in a hurry.  When they make the open shots, you see losses like Mississippi State, Misssouri and Vanderbilt.

More excuses for the Hawgs winning a big road game against a top 25 team on the road.SC lost because we kicked their you know what.PERIOD!

[gmarv]

Does anyone else think it is possible that the fewer minutes played by Hannahs earlier in the year maybe a blessing in that down toward the end of our schedule he can stand up to more minutes for him now?

[ShadowHawg]

Does anyone else think it is possible that the fewer minutes played by Hannahs earlier in the year maybe a blessing in that down toward the end of our schedule he can stand up to more minutes for him now?

That is actually a part of the system MA runs. Minutes are intentionally limited not only to wear opponents out during games, but to keep OUR players fresh as the season wears on.

Most casual fans don't know that nearly all college basketball teams steadily trim their practice times as the season moves along in an effort to keep their players fresh in the cumulative sense. I think they start out with 3 hour practices and work their way done to only 1 hour per practice is the norm.

[SPAL]

More excuses for the Hawgs winning a big road game against a top 25 team on the road.SC lost because we kicked their you know what.PERIOD!

Excuses? Are you a mad man?  The guy you are mouthing at said if south Carolina hits more threes and we miss more threes, the results would be different. Do you even understand half the stuff you argue with? Or do you just argue for sport?

By the way, your time is up on our bet. You failed to find a sound bite or press clip where Jeff long said the program was a dumpster fire. You've proven you're a liar. Your opinion no longer holds any value.

[hogwood]

Like winning the silver medal in the Special Olympics.   

Wonder how much the unbalanced schedule plays into some of these SEC records.

Having the 2nd best record in the SEC over the last 3 years is like winning a silver medal in the special olympics?

[hogwood]

You cannot look at the Mississippi State, Missouri, Vanderbilt losses + this result and make sense of it all -- UNLESS you acknowledge that Mike Anderson adjusted his defensive philosophy in a major way and found enough to turn the tables.

Not that Arkansas was awesome on defense last night -- only good enough to improve the offensive flow, which thrives on stops and runs.

Yet another slow start last night, but after that, the Razorbacks' offensive efficiency -- on the road against what had been an absolutely great defensive basketball team -- was astonishing.

A HUGE deal:

Arkansas shot 7-14 from 3-pt range (50%)
South Carolina shot 6-22 (27%)

Not a big scoring margin, but note the misses - Arkansas 7, SC 16. The Hogs rebounded enough of those misses to kill just enough Gamecocks possessions to win.

The formula was NOT in turnover margin (-1), but staying roughly even for turnovers was crucial.

The formula was NOT defensive rebounding -- 60% of SC's misses (mushy) -- though offensive rebounding was extremely important (39%, very good) in raising the Razorbacks' efficiency. Six different players grabbed offensive boards. Team effort.

The formula was making shots, running a great offense and giving scorers opportunities. Arkansas did not do it so much with structure -- 12 assists on 30 field goals -- but this team is what it is, a bunch of good one-on-one scorers.

South Carolina had allowed opponents to shoot 28% from 3-pt range, 45% inside the arc. Arkansas made 50% outside and 55% inside. Dayum!

As always, the opponent's best guard went off on the Hogs. Sindarius Thornwell put up 27 points. Crucial detail: Wing guard/forward P.J. Dozier, potential matchup nightmare, scored 9 points on 4-12 shooting. Dozier had 6 assists, 4 turnovers. You could argue that defense against Dozier WAS the game.

Again, Arkansas did not play suffocating defense. South Carolina scored 1.10 points per possession, way above their SEC average of 1.02. This outcome was all about 1) the Hogs destroying the Gamecocks' vaunted man defense (including making 16-18 at the free throw line) and 2) holding Carolina to 27% outside shooting.

As far as inside vs. out goes:

Guard scoring - Arkansas 62, South Carolina 58
Forward scoring - Arkansas 21, South Carolina 18

And the major changes - look at the minutes played. First number's last night, second number is the LSU game.

34 Hannahs 24
32 Barford 30
29 Kingsley 29
27 Watkins 14
26 Thomas 26
21 Macon 28
18 Thompson 11
6 Bailey 9
5 Beard 24
2 Cook 5

Coach Anderson appears to have concluded that he has no point guard. The assist leaders last night were Watkins and Thompson, three apiece.

Also, MA seems to have decided that the Razorbacks' strength is scoring, and they can make more headway by being a great offensive team than by gimping the offense in the player rotation in a futile effort to improve defense. Not going to be great defenders - just don't be terrible, and ensure that they don't get murdered from outside.

This style of basketball...I like this style. Works for me.

I like it too. Sure hope Mike has figured it all out like you have instead of it being "just how the game went down".

[JayBell]

Are we all just ignoring that Anderson said he didn't play Beard more because he was sick and probably shouldn't have even put him out there in the first place?  Quit the postulating and blame directed at Beard.  When he's healthy, he'll be out there.

[Poker_hog]

This was my first thought.  So many teams shoot lights out against Arkansas because they intentionally leave them open.  South Carolina was open all night.  That's why they shot 22 3's.

When teams miss those shots, Arkansas can go on those double digit runs in a hurry.  When they make the open shots, you see losses like Mississippi State, Misssouri and Vanderbilt.

Exactly.  It could be that we're a good matchup against a poor perimeter teams and not so much against a good 3 point shooting team like Vandy.  Moses is an excellent defender in the paint but we alway give away wide open 3s.

[Atlhogfan1]

Having the 2nd best record in the SEC over the last 3 years is like winning a silver medal in the special olympics?

Almost got that one by for an hour. 

[Biggus Piggus]

Are we all just ignoring that Anderson said he didn't play Beard more because he was sick and probably shouldn't have even put him out there in the first place?  Quit the postulating and blame directed at Beard.  When he's healthy, he'll be out there.

Beard is not a point guard either, dude. They are not running every offensive play through anyone. They had 12 assists on 30 baskets. That's who they are.  A bunch of scorers. A good bunch of scorers.

[jjdlc]

Beard is not a point guard either, dude. They are not running every offensive play through anyone. They had 12 assists on 30 baskets. That's who they are.  A bunch of scorers. A good bunch of scorers.

Which in the past few years, we would have given our left arm for even 1 more scorer. 

This sticks out to me the most:

Best SEC records last 3 seasons (reg season + SECT):
1. KY 48-7
2. Hogs 32-21
3. A&M 31-21
4. FL 30-22
5. GA 30-24
6. OM 28-23
7. USC 29-24

This is one of the biggest reasons I'm not completely sold on the idea of firing MA being the answer.  It feels like we might actually be seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

[gmarv]

That is actually a part of the system MA runs. Minutes are intentionally limited not only to wear opponents out during games, but to keep OUR players fresh as the season wears on.

Most casual fans don't know that nearly all college basketball teams steadily trim their practice times as the season moves along in an effort to keep their players fresh in the cumulative sense. I think they start out with 3 hour practices and work their way done to only 1 hour per practice is the norm.

The actual point i was asking about is does Hannahs getting less minutes earlier in the year mean he has fresher legs now as his minutes seem to be increasing?

[Biggus Piggus]

In his postgame news conference, Frank Martin said his team had no spirit or enthusiasm in practices on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, he walked out of practice, for the second time in his career.

He said he was not surprised they got beat. Sounded pissed about his team's effort level. Pointed out that they had to go to zone defense to pull out the Mississippi State game, because the man defense was not working. Also sounded like he thought their internal problems began with the Alabama game last week (the four-OT loss).

Martin said PF Chris Silva makes dumb fouls that get him in foul trouble, has been coached about it over and over, and now Martin's throwing up his hands in resignation over the problem.

[JayBell]

Beard is not a point guard either, dude. They are not running every offensive play through anyone. They had 12 assists on 30 baskets. That's who they are.  A bunch of scorers. A good bunch of scorers.

Beard is a point guard.  He facilitates the offense better than anyone else on the court.  There's a reason the 2014-15 team came together so much better when he was put in the starting lineup.  Just because he doesn't make the final pass very often doesn't mean he does not feel that role.

[Biggus Piggus]

Arkansas's leaders in assist rate:

17.1% Jaylen Barford
17.1% Trey Thompson
15.9% Anton Beard
15.8% Daryl Macon
14.9% Manuale Watkins

Last season:

30.2% Trey Thompson
23.2% Keaton Miles
22.2% Jabril Durham
17.0% Willy Kouassi
15.3% Jimmy Whitt
14.6% Moses Kingsley
13.8% Manuale Watkins
11.1% Dusty Hannahs
10.3% Anton Beard

A point guard is over 20% assist rate. Our leaders in 2014-15:

41.5% Trey Thompson
29.4% Jabril Durham
28.2% Manuale Watkins
24.5% Rashad Madden
20.3% Keaton Miles
19.5% Nick Babb
17.7% Moses Kingsley
17.0% Alandise Harris
16.5% Jacorey Williams
16.5% Anton Beard

[JayBell]

I said he doesn't make the final pass very often.  So you show me the assist rates.  Cool.

[hawginbigd1]

The actual point i was asking about is does Hannahs getting less minutes earlier in the year mean he has fresher legs now as his minutes seem to be increasing?

Could be, DH is not an ironman type player, in his time there have been numerous times you could tell he was on E. Last night he went coast to coast and made a basket, and he almost could not get back on defense, he came out on the next dead ball. I don't think Macon is either, I think that is the reason for his falling % from 3 in the last 5 or so. His legs are tired, and if you notice he is more of a lift shooter than anyone else on the team except maybe Jones.

Last night was a great win, triggered by about 10 minutes of strong defense and rebounding. When we first went to zone SC was getting nothing, in the second half if they were hitting the open shots because the zone was disorganized, and creeping higher and higher from the baseline, they would have won. As has been the case all year if this team would execute to their capabilities on defense we would be a top 15 type team. I think the zone is the best way to go, we are just not athletic enough to press and play a lot of man.

[Biggus Piggus]

I said he doesn't make the final pass very often.  So you show me the assist rates.  Cool.

Point guards make assists, in case you never noticed. Everybody passes the ball to someone in a motion offense. Drr.

[Dropkick]

Probably because we won it hasn't been talked about but what about the clock operator giving us the business last night?

John Gasaway @JohnGasaway

Mike Anderson has a legitimate complaint. How can the shot clock expire before the ball's even touched on an inbounds pass.

[East TN HAWG]

Movement without the ball was much better last night.  I have not seen the cuts to the basket and passing like they did in spurts last night.  Possibly a very good sign?  Still too many one-on-one playground moves.  They are still too careless with the ball at times.  We had a several turnovers that should have never been turnovers, and gave away too many break away points. 

Defensively, we still stink.  The zone is better because our best defender is under the rim, and not 30 feet in the open court defending a man half his size and twice his speed. 

[Youngsta71701]

Kentucky over the last 3 years - 1st, 1st, 1st
Florida over the last 3 years - 8th, 8th, 1st
South Carolina last 3 years - 11th, 3rd, 3rd
Arkansas last 3  years - 2nd, 9th, 4th

It averages out to us just barely being better than Florida and South Carolina during that time.  It doesn't hurt that we won 2 SEC Tournament Games in 2014-15 either.

Is being 2nd in the SEC behind Kentucky and ahead of Florida really that bad...
And that's even with a 9-9 year in between with a depleted roster.
Makes all that complaining sound pretty petty now huh?

[Youngsta71701]

Having the 2nd best record in the SEC over the last 3 years is like winning a silver medal in the special olympics?

I'll take silver. Silver is one step away from gold.

[Youngsta71701]

This sticks out to me the most:

Best SEC records last 3 seasons (reg season + SECT):
1. KY 48-7
2. Hogs 32-21
3. A&M 31-21
4. FL 30-22
5. GA 30-24
6. OM 28-23
7. USC 29-24

This was the one that stuck out to me also. Not too bad when you look at it that way. Kentucky is head and shoulders above every else right now and the rest are chasing. We are in 2nd place in the race.

[Youngsta71701]

Kentucky over the last 3 years - 1st, 1st, 1st
Florida over the last 3 years - 8th, 8th, 1st
South Carolina last 3 years - 11th, 3rd, 3rd
Arkansas last 3  years - 2nd, 9th, 4th

It averages out to us just barely being better than Florida and South Carolina during that time.  It doesn't hurt that we won 2 SEC Tournament Games in 2014-15 either.

Point being...Does the 2014-15 season not count? It's much better than you thought and you just don't know how to handle it huh? Throw out the 9-9 conference season in 2015-16 with a depleted roster since you want to throw out seasons. If you take the 2014-15 season and the 2016-17 seasons we have a 23-11 record against SEC opponents counting the SEC tournament games. That's a 67% winning percentage in SEC games.

Here are the departures after that 2014-15 season. Hard to replace all of this and still be good the next season. And we were still a .500 ball club. Most coaches would have tanked completely after losing all of this unless you were John Calipari bringing in 6 McDonald's All Americans each year.

Rashad Madden 00 G 6'5" 180 Senior Lepanto, AR Graduated
Alandise Harris 2 G 6'6" 237 RS Senior Little Rock, AR Graduated
Bobby Portis 10 F 6'11" 242 Sophomore Little Rock, AR Declared for 2015 NBA draft
Nick Babb 14 G 6'4" 185 Freshman Arlington, TX Transferred to Iowa State
Jacorey Williams 22 F 6'8" 218 Junior Birmingham, AL Transferred to Middle Tennessee State
Michael Qualls 24 G 6'6" 210 Junior Shreveport, LA Declared for 2015 NBA draft

[Youngsta71701]

Like winning the silver medal in the Special Olympics.   

Wonder how much the unbalanced schedule plays into some of these SEC records.

1. Silver medals not bad...
2. Still looking for excuses huh?

[Youngsta71701]

This was my first thought.  So many teams shoot lights out against Arkansas because they intentionally leave them open.  South Carolina was open all night.  That's why they shot 22 3's.

Charles Barkley always says when your wide open a lot of times there's a reason...

[Youngsta71701]

Does anyone else think it is possible that the fewer minutes played by Hannahs earlier in the year maybe a blessing in that down toward the end of our schedule he can stand up to more minutes for him now?

Nah, the reason he was playing fewer minutes earlier in the year was because he wasn't bringing the best part of his game to the table consistently. Shooting and efficient scoring. When he shoots the 3 well it opens up the rest of his game, it opens up Kingsley down low, and it opens up Macon, Barford, Beard and the rest of the scoring crew. Especially when he's shooting well from DEEP, I'm talking 28 feet out DEEP. Creates tons of space on the court.

[hogwood]

Point being...Does the 2014-15 season not count? It's much better than you thought and you just don't know how to handle it huh? Throw out the 9-9 conference season in 2015-16 with a depleted roster since you want to throw out seasons. If you take the 2014-15 season and the 2016-17 seasons we have a 23-11 record against SEC opponents counting the SEC tournament games. That's a 67% winning percentage in SEC games.

Here are the departures after that 2014-15 season. Hard to replace all of this and still be good the next season. And we were still a .500 ball club. Most coaches would have tanked completely after losing all of this unless you were John Calipari bringing in 6 McDonald's All Americans each year.

Rashad Madden 00 G 6'5" 180 Senior Lepanto, AR Graduated
Alandise Harris 2 G 6'6" 237 RS Senior Little Rock, AR Graduated
Bobby Portis 10 F 6'11" 242 Sophomore Little Rock, AR Declared for 2015 NBA draft
Nick Babb 14 G 6'4" 185 Freshman Arlington, TX Transferred to Iowa State
Jacorey Williams 22 F 6'8" 218 Junior Birmingham, AL Transferred to Middle Tennessee State
Michael Qualls 24 G 6'6" 210 Junior Shreveport, LA Declared for 2015 NBA draft

Plus Beard not being able to join the team til later. The non-con was worse than I had expected. Jimmy Whitt was a let down. But in the SEC we out performed my expectations by far. There was even a little bubble talk after we beat the top 5 TAMU team.

I don't blame Mike completely for the roster fallout. There were several unforseeable things that happened. But the important thing to me is that now only a year later after some huge setbacks, CMA now has us back in a similar position to where we were in 14-15. That's thanks to a good response in recruiting.

[Youngsta71701]

Movement without the ball was much better last night.  I have not seen the cuts to the basket and passing like they did in spurts last night.  Possibly a very good sign?  Still too many one-on-one playground moves.  They are still too careless with the ball at times.  We had a several turnovers that should have never been turnovers, and gave away too many break away points. 

Defensively, we still stink.  The zone is better because our best defender is under the rim, and not 30 feet in the open court defending a man half his size and twice his speed.

Great point. Maybe that's why we've been playing more zone lately...