Our Next Four Opponents are 38-2

[WilsonHog]

Missouri State and Texas are both 10-0 this morning. UAB and Baylor are both 9-1.

All four are home games.

Win those four and fans will pretty much forget the early part of the non-conference season. We would be 10-5 and on an eight-game winning streak with victories over some notable teams. Lose three or all four and we will achieve only the second losing record in non-conference play since the days of Lanny Van Eman.

So there you go. If Pel wants to return for 2010-11 the next two weeks would seem to be an opportune time to state his case and build up a little goodwill. 

     

[rude1]

This stretch should tell us where this team is heading. If we bomb, I don't want to hear how good the teams where in this stretch, or who we were missing. I am only interested in results.

[ImMcLovin]

This stretch should tell us where this team is heading. If we bomb, I don't want to hear how good the teams where in this stretch, or who we were missing. I am only interested in results.

Strongly agree

[Boarcephus]

If Fortson doesn't play, we may lose all four and if he plays, we might sneak out a couple wins.

I'm not saying we're world beaters with him but this team is lacking what Fortson supplies and that's toughness and someone the other team really doesn't have an answer for.  What I saw yesterday was disappointing.

[TNhawgfan]

Win those four and fans will pretty much forget the early part of the non-conference season. We would be 10-5 and on an eight-game winning streak with victories over some notable teams.
  

Then we could build off of that momentum and win the SEC West. Then once we get in the tournament, who knows what happens...
Anyone who thinks we could win all of these next four games has some serious delusions of granduer

[HoopS]

Highly unlikely we'll beat Texas.  Baylor will be awfully tough.  A win over either would be deserving of applause.   Not sure about the other 2, but we need to win those games.   Taking 3 out of 4 would be really good, IMO.

[ICEman]

If Fortson doesn't play, we may lose all four and if he plays, we might sneak out a couple wins.

I'm not saying we're world beaters with him but this team is lacking what Fortson supplies and that's toughness and someone the other team really doesn't have an answer for.  What I saw yesterday was disappointing.

Fortson is not in game shape.  I might take a game or three before he has his game timing back.

[ErieHog]

He could ascend to heaven at halftime of the Texas game, up 50, and there would be no goodwill built up with some people.

[lookinupthehill]

This stretch should tell us where this team is heading. If we bomb, I don't want to hear how good the teams where in this stretch, or who we were missing. I am only interested in results.

So we're getting Fortson back for this stretch??

[ishankem]

I just don't see any wins in next 4 games with what we've seen lately.  1 or 2 out of 4 would be damn good.  It was uplifting to see MW turn it up yesterday and lool like the MW that we knew he could be.  If MW and Powell play well, we could hang around, but I don't think we have the guard play to win many of these next 4 games.

[Tejano Jawg]

The next 4:
Dec 22     Missouri St. @ Fayetteville
Dec 30     Baylor @ North Little Rock
Jan 02     Alabama-Birmingham @ Fayetteville
Jan 05     Texas @ Fayetteville   

And FYI, the 5 following those:
Jan 14     Mississippi St. @ Starkville
Jan 16     Alabama @ Fayetteville
Jan 21     Florida @ Fayetteville
Jan 23     Kentucky @ Lexington
Jan 28     Mississippi St. @ Fayetteville

Ordinarily, I'd feel pretty good about all but 2 of those being home games (one in Starkville, KY in Lexington). But this team has bigger issues to think about other than "home court advantage." Oh boy.

[HawgAdvocate]

This stretch should tell us where this team is heading. If we bomb, I don't want to hear how good the teams where in this stretch, or who we were missing. I am only interested in results.

You may not like it, but the fact remains that we're one of the most inexperinced teams in the country. The Pomeroy ratings have us as the 291st most experienced team in DI. Results don't come overnight, and only rarely come within a single season. You know that.

[HawgAdvocate]

The next 4:
Dec 22     Missouri St. @ Fayetteville
Dec 30     Baylor @ North Little Rock
Jan 02     Alabama-Birmingham @ Fayetteville
Jan 05     Texas @ Fayetteville   

And FYI, the 5 following those:
Jan 14     Mississippi St. @ Starkville
Jan 16     Alabama @ Fayetteville
Jan 21     Florida @ Fayetteville
Jan 23     Kentucky @ Lexington
Jan 28     Mississippi St. @ Fayetteville

Ordinarily, I'd feel pretty good about all but 2 of those being home games (one in Starkville, KY in Lexington). But this team has bigger issues to think about other than "home court advantage." Oh boy.

Yeah, it's going to get ugly I'm afraid. We have to keep looking at the bigger picture though. Better days are coming.

[Toad Suck Pork]

The next 4:
Dec 22     Missouri St. @ Fayetteville
Dec 30     Baylor @ North Little Rock
Jan 02     Alabama-Birmingham @ Fayetteville
Jan 05     Texas @ Fayetteville   

And FYI, the 5 following those:
Jan 14     Mississippi St. @ Starkville
Jan 16     Alabama @ Fayetteville
Jan 21     Florida @ Fayetteville
Jan 23     Kentucky @ Lexington
Jan 28     Mississippi St. @ Fayetteville

Ordinarily, I'd feel pretty good about all but 2 of those being home games (one in Starkville, KY in Lexington). But this team has bigger issues to think about other than "home court advantage." Oh boy.

I think we'll be at 7-13 after this stretch, with that one win being either Alabama or Mississippi State at home.  I can't believe it's come to this.

[elksnort]

The fab 5 at Michigan were pretty inexperienced their first year at Michigan. This "inexperience" excuse does not hold as much water as it used to.

Go get some players! Powell and Washington look like guys you can build a team around. The remaining players? Rotnei Clark is admirable, but a 6 foot and not lightning quick, if he is not scoring, then what good is he?

We just don't have it: enough good players, and the coaching staff. It looks like Rob Evans is kept in the background, while you got some guy who has never played basketball puting his two sense in...

[ErieHog]

The fab 5 at Michigan were pretty inexperienced their first year at Michigan. This "inexperience" excuse does not hold as much water as it used to.

Go get some players! Powell and Washington look like guys you can build a team around. The remaining players? Rotnei Clark is admirable, but a 6 foot and not lightning quick, if he is not scoring, then what good is he?

We just don't have it: enough good players, and the coaching staff. It looks like Rob Evans is kept in the background, while you got some guy who has never played basketball puting his two sense in...

Michigan cheated, and went on probation; they were stripped of the accomplishments of the Fab 5 in pretty short order.

Turning around a basketball program that is as down as we are isn't a one year or two year proposition.   We may consider our program legendary, but to most people, it's an afterthought.   Getting past that will take time.

[3kgthog]

I don't see us winning another game for several weeks. I want us to win, but we're extremely terrible.

[LRMedHawg]

The suspension and injury excuse is not holding anymore water for me now.  I don't expect us to beat teams like Kentucky or Texas.  But he needs to win some of these games.  He could gain a tremendous amount of goodwill by just .500 over the next stretch of 10 games.

Yeah, it's going to get ugly I'm afraid. We have to keep looking at the bigger picture though. Better days are coming.

Honestly, it just can't get much worse for me than it has been in the last 10 months.  Saying it will get better is not saying much I'm afraid. 
I mean we have dealt with:
A string of losses that is almost unprecendented in Razorback history.
A slew of off-the-court issues with multiple transfers, suspensions, and legal issues
Standing on the brink of losing scholarships due to APR with a threat of losing post-season play in the near future.

[batmanfan]

Hogs will be LUCKY to win 2 of the next 10 games.  I'm guessing Baylor and Bama.

[HogFaninMemphis]

If Fortson doesn't play, we may lose all four and if he plays, we might sneak out a couple wins.

I'm not saying we're world beaters with him but this team is lacking what Fortson supplies and that's toughness and someone the other team really doesn't have an answer for.  What I saw yesterday was disappointing.

agreed
With him we have a point guard who makes plays.  He's a good passer and as long as he plays under control, I wouldn't mind if it took him a couple of games to get back to where he was last year.  I wonder how much he has worked on his shot.  He was so inconsistent at times last year.

[Hogbody]

I think Pel will likely still be here no matter the results of the next 4.  I sure hope we at least split them

[rude1]

The next 4:
Dec 22     Missouri St. @ Fayetteville
Dec 30     Baylor @ North Little Rock
Jan 02     Alabama-Birmingham @ Fayetteville
Jan 05     Texas @ Fayetteville   

And FYI, the 5 following those:
Jan 14     Mississippi St. @ Starkville
Jan 16     Alabama @ Fayetteville
Jan 21     Florida @ Fayetteville
Jan 23     Kentucky @ Lexington
Jan 28     Mississippi St. @ Fayetteville

Ordinarily, I'd feel pretty good about all but 2 of those being home games (one in Starkville, KY in Lexington). But this team has bigger issues to think about other than "home court advantage." Oh boy.

I hate I looked at that. If you think people are angry now. There is the potential for this thing to burst at the seams over the next 9 games, as it could get extremely ugly, based on what I have seen from this team thus far.

[rude1]

You may not like it, but the fact remains that we're one of the most inexperinced teams in the country. The Pomeroy ratings have us as the 291st most experienced team in DI. Results don't come overnight, and only rarely come within a single season. You know that.

Youth excuse won't cut it for me either. Heard that one all of last season. You can forever be young when you are running a revolving door with players. Like I said, I am only interested in RESULTS.

[HawgAdvocate]

Youth excuse won't cut it for me either. Heard that one all of last season. You can forever be young when you are running a revolving door with players. Like I said, I am only interested in RESULTS.

Dude, you were hating on them last year, despite being young. You don't need an exscuse to prefer the negative.

[rude1]

Dude, you were hating on them last year, despite being young. You don't need an exscuse to prefer the negative.

Well if i didn't buy it last year, how does repeating it every year thereafter make it more valid? As long as Pelphrey is here, with the revolving door, you can use that excuse for several more years in sight.

[HawgAdvocate]

Well if i didn't buy it last year, how does repeating it every year thereafter make it more valid? As long as Pelphrey is here, with the revolving door, you can use that excuse for several more years in sight.

Certainly, that's exactly what will happen since there's absolutely no way in Hades that we'll EVER keep a steady roster EVER again in the history of Razorback basketball thanks to one difficult season. That sort of thing NEVER happens when a new coach takes over. Fire & brimstone!!

[rude1]

Certainly, that's exactly what will happen since there's absolutely no way in Hades that we'll EVER keep a steady roster EVER again in the history of Razorback basketball thanks to one difficult season. That sort of thing NEVER happens when a new coach takes over. Fire & brimstone!!

Show me another time in Razorback basketball history where 12 players were brought in over back to back recruiting classes, yet barely had enough players to field at team to start the season. Waiting.

[Danny J]

The suspension and injury excuse is not holding anymore water for me now.  I don't expect us to beat teams like Kentucky or Texas.  But he needs to win some of these games.  He could gain a tremendous amount of goodwill by just .500 over the next stretch of 10 games.

Honestly, it just can't get much worse for me than it has been in the last 10 months.  Saying it will get better is not saying much I'm afraid. 
I mean we have dealt with:
A string of losses that is almost unprecendented in Razorback history.
A slew of off-the-court issues with multiple transfers, suspensions, and legal issues
Standing on the brink of losing scholarships due to APR with a threat of losing post-season play in the near future.

I agree and what most people seem to forget is those problems highlighted are almost exlusively caused by pelphrey. The APR was a little bit of an issue when he got here but now it is a full blown problem. On top of all that the team we are currently fielding is not getting any better.

[Danny J]

Show me another time in Razorback basketball history where 12 players were brought in over back to back recruiting classes, yet barely had enough players to field at team to start the season. Waiting.

I agree.

[Rockhawg]

I was at BWA yesterday and saw in person what kind of talent and Team we have.

Also, what kind of talent we have on the bench ( coaching staff included ) to face this
stretch of games.

IMO we will have to improve to be able to win ( 1 ) game in that stretch.
I'm not saying that we can't. We will have to improve to do so.

[Danny J]

I was at BWA yesterday and saw in person what kind of talent and Team we have.

Also, what kind of talent we have on the bench ( coaching staff included ) to face this
stretch of games.

IMO we will have to improve to be able to win ( 1 ) game in that stretch.
I'm not saying that we can't. We will have to improve to do so.

Improve is totally understating it. I have not seen improvement since we played OU and then Texas last year. There should be a little improvement but I dont see any.

[ErieHog]

I agree and what most people seem to forget is those problems highlighted are almost exlusively caused by pelphrey. The APR was a little bit of an issue when he got here but now it is a full blown problem. On top of all that the team we are currently fielding is not getting any better.

The APR was more than a 'little issue';  you had 6 seniors, a couple of whom had academic issues in the past and questionable, at best, work ethics.   There is a reason Dana Altman ran away from this job after his first day briefing as to the state of the program, and it wasn't because Omaha offers better schools for his kids

[Danny J]

The APR was more than a 'little issue';  you had 6 seniors, a couple of whom had academic issues in the past and questionable, at best, work ethics.   There is a reason Dana Altman ran away from this job after his first day briefing as to the state of the program, and it wasn't because Omaha offers better schools for his kids

It was an issue I agree but since pelphrey has taken over he has had 4 transfers that really hurt. Those 4 transfers were in HIS first recruiting class. Am I missing something?

[ErieHog]

It was an issue I agree but since pelphrey has taken over he has had 4 transfers that really hurt. Those 4 transfers were in HIS first recruiting class. Am I missing something?

He's also had Beverly get caught up in a scandal that preceded his tenure.

The APR hit for transfers is *small* compared to the issues that were already present; it hasn't helped, certainly-- it's eliminated a very small margin for error, though.

Transfers do not weigh as heavily against APR.  Keep in mind that the *first* Heath signing class just went off the books this year, too, so at least we're clear of that now.

[Danny J]

He's also had Beverly get caught up in a scandal that preceded his tenure.

The APR hit for transfers is *small* compared to the issues that were already present; it hasn't helped, certainly-- it's eliminated a very small margin for error, though.

Transfers do not weigh as heavily against APR.  Keep in mind that the *first* Heath signing class just went off the books this year, too, so at least we're clear of that now.

What I worry about is fortson not playing again and transfering..I suspect we would be luckt to win 5 more games all season and if the "fire pelphrey" chants grow much louder and he were fired then I would also assume we could lose a couple more players to transfer. That would not be a good thing. I think right now this program is in a caatch 22. Fire pelphrey and the possibility of transfers could hurt APR or we may not improve at all from this year to next and we will be in the same situation come next year with a team that does not seem to be improving. I know its alot of "if's" but thats the way I see it.

[ErieHog]

What I worry about is fortson not playing again and transfering..I suspect we would be luckt to win 5 more games all season and if the "fire pelphrey" chants grow much louder and he were fired then I would also assume we could lose a couple more players to transfer. That would not be a good thing. I think right now this program is in a caatch 22. Fire pelphrey and the possibility of transfers could hurt APR or we may not improve at all from this year to next and we will be in the same situation come next year with a team that does not seem to be improving. I know its alot of "if's" but thats the way I see it.

The question to me isn't one of losing a scholarship; that ship has pretty well sailed, unless we're so on top of things this year to be in a tiny minority of schools that have perfect APR for an entire year (19 of the 347 teams playing D1 basketball had this last season, as an example)-- I just don't see that happening.     Given that there is such strong support from the AD's office right now,  you have to think something at least a little positive is happening on this front for the first semester.

The real issue, to my mind, is whether we'll be in line for losing a second scholarship and receive a post-season ban.   It'll take 3 transfers, or a transfer and either of our seniors graduating in the next two seasons for that to happen.     

[Danny J]

The question to me isn't one of losing a scholarship; that ship has pretty well sailed, unless we're so on top of things this year to be in a tiny minority of schools that have perfect APR for an entire year (19 of the 347 teams playing D1 basketball had this last season, as an example)-- I just don't see that happening.     Given that there is such strong support from the AD's office right now,  you have to think something at least a little positive is happening on this front for the first semester.

The real issue, to my mind, is whether we'll be in line for losing a second scholarship and receive a post-season ban.   It'll take 3 transfers, or a transfer and either of our seniors graduating in the next two seasons for that to happen.   

Well if that is the case and we do not improve at all by seasons end I beleive pelphrey will be out of a job. Even if you are rebuilding a program you have to be able to point to some sort of improvement amongst the players you do have to work with. Right now I do not see any improvement.

[HawgAdvocate]

Show me another time in Razorback basketball history where 12 players were brought in over back to back recruiting classes, yet barely had enough players to field at team to start the season. Waiting.

Exactly!! So if it's only happened this once, you can be rest assured it won't happen again for a very long time. When you have to recruit two classes in six months, there is a lot of room for error.

I'm glad you agree with me on this.

[Danny J]

Exactly!! So if it's only happened this once, you can be rest assured it won't happen again for a very long time. When you have to recruit two classes in six months, there is a lot of room for error.

I'm glad you agree with me on this.

LOL, I am not quite sure he is agreeing with you but I could be wrong.

[ErieHog]

Well if that is the case and we do not improve at all by seasons end I beleive pelphrey will be out of a job. Even if you are rebuilding a program you have to be able to point to some sort of improvement amongst the players you do have to work with. Right now I do not see any improvement.

To the contrary, to me it virtually cements his return.   You won't be able to offer top money, you'll offer a situation with limited scholarships and a possible flight of the most experienced talent left on the roster.   You thought the last coaching search was a fiasco that landed us a potential up and comer?  Another search will give us a leftover among up and comers, if we're fortunate.

There is improvement on the court too, by the way.  It's just not as dramatic as we would like;  the past 3 games have been better than the 3 before.    Young teams struggle with consistency and finding identities within the framework of a team.  A little of that is starting to get sorted out, but it's going to take a lot longer.

[Danny J]

To the contrary, to me it virtually cements his return.   You won't be able to offer top money, you'll offer a situation with limited scholarships and a possible flight of the most experienced talent left on the roster.   You thought the last coaching search was a fiasco that landed us a potential up and comer?  Another search will give us a leftover among up and comers, if we're fortunate.

There is improvement on the court too, by the way.  It's just not as dramatic as we would like;  the past 3 games have been better than the 3 before.    Young teams struggle with consistency and finding identities within the framework of a team.  A little of that is starting to get sorted out, but it's going to take a lot longer.

The last three teams we played were and are not as good as any of the teams we lost to. Whats sad is that is not saying much. If you can show me some improvement by all means I am curious as to what you call improvement. As far as your statement about his position being cemented because we are basically stuck with him is the catch 22 I mentioned in the previous post.

[HawgAdvocate]

LOL, I am not quite sure he is agreeing with you but I could be wrong.

Haha yeah, he probably didn't mean to agree with me. But he made my point for me.

[ErieHog]

The last three teams we played were and are not as good as any of the teams we lost to. Whats sad is that is not saying much. If you can show me some improvement by all means I am curious as to what you call improvement. As far as your statement about his position being cemented because we are basically stuck with him is the catch 22 I mentioned in the previous post.

By the way, we've had better FG defense overall, better FT shooting, and fewer turnovers over the past 3 games than we've had over any 3 game stretch this year, as just a few examples of the overall improvement.  Our rebounding differential is starting to be less abysmal.

Improvement isn't just from bad to good;  from bad to not as bad is also improvement.

[Danny J]

By the way, we've had better FG defense overall, better FT shooting, and fewer turnovers over the past 3 games than we've had over any 3 game stretch this year, as just a few examples of the overall improvement.  Our rebounding differential is starting to be less abysmal.

Improvement isn't just from bad to good;  from bad to not as bad is also improvement.

You sure have a better outlook of things than I do. I think we will see come tuesday if this team has improved.

[ErieHog]

You sure have a better outlook of things than I do. I think we will see come tuesday if this team has improved.

Eh. The quality of opposition is a big step up from what we've had all year, outside of OU and Louisville.

They can play better basketball, especially fundamentally, and still get smoked.

[Danny J]

Eh. The quality of opposition is a big step up from what we've had all year, outside of OU and Louisville.

They can play better basketball, especially fundamentally, and still get smoked.

I can see the "fire pelphrey" threads starting already.

[Karma]

If we beat Mo. St., there will be a contingent on here who say "so what, its just a mid-major."

[Danny J]

If we beat Mo. St., there will be a contingent on here who say "so what, its just a mid-major."

If we win tuesday that will be a BIG step forward. It would be our biggest win since texas last year.

[FaytownHog]

If we beat Mo. St., there will be a contingent on here who say "so what, its just a mid-major."

well.....they are a mid major. they're a good one, but call a spade a spade. if we win, we're suppose to, if we lose, we lost to a mid major, good or not.

[Mason]

38-3!