No matter what happens tomorrow, how do you feel where the program is heading?

[12247]

Always inconsistent.  Coach is inconsistent Recruiting inconsistent, Effort on court is inconsistent.  We will hit a few Happy, Happys, but we'll feel the aw craps a lot.  MIKE will not refuse to be denied.  We willl not be a respected  team feared throughout the land like Nolan had us for a few years.

[hawgsalot]

Always inconsistent.  Coach is inconsistent Recruiting inconsistent, Effort on court is inconsistent.  We will hit a few Happy, Happys, but we'll feel the aw craps a lot.  MIKE will not refuse to be denied.  We willl not be a respected  team feared throughout the land like Nolan had us for a few years.

More conjecture with with no basis other than your desire to prove some know it all point by overlooking the freaking obvious.   Hate to remind everyone who loves to rewrite history, we weren't feared with Nolan's last teams, we havent been feared since 1995.  One thing Mike has proven is that even after he had a down year due to early departures he could recruit his way back to that level, he has also proven he can win in the tournament with new guys, and he's proven that he can get the elite AR recruits, just look at the next 3 years.  All things you nimrods said he couldn't do. 
He's definetly getting us there and you guys are kicking and screaming because you think he should be as consistent at this stage as about 5 coachs in the nation, get real.  Its a process for us now mainly due to some itdiotic fans in the late 90s and a coach with a racial chip on his shoulder.  Man up quit the nanny nanny boo boo I told you so every time there's a slip.  Get behind the team instead of behind your own interenet wanna be wisdom that points out only negatives looking the other way at all positives.  It's pathetic that even as of yesterday some of you are still posting this crap.  Duke, Kentucky Kansas will gladly take your fake fandom that's about the only teams that will meet your qualification in 2017 but please don't come back when we're battling again.

[Ironhawg]

More conjecture with with no basis other than your desire to prove some know it all point by overlooking the freaking obvious.   Hate to remind everyone who loves to rewrite history, we weren't feared with Nolan's last teams, we havent been feared since 1995.  One thing Mike has proven is that even after he had a down year due to early departures he could recruit his way back to that level, he has also proven he can win in the tournament with new guys, and he's proven that he can get the elite AR recruits, just look at the next 3 years.  All things you nimrods said he couldn't do. 
He's definetly getting us there and you guys are kicking and screaming because you think he should be as consistent at this stage as about 5 coachs in the nation, get real.  Its a process for us now mainly due to some itdiotic fans in the late 90s and a coach with a racial chip on his shoulder.  Man up quit the nanny nanny boo boo I told you so every time there's a slip.  Get behind the team instead of behind your own interenet wanna be wisdom that points out only negatives looking the other way at all positives.  It's pathetic that even as of yesterday some of you are still posting this crap.  Duke, Kentucky Kansas will gladly take your fake fandom that's about the only teams that will meet your qualification in 2017 but please don't come back when we're battling again.

You know you could make your point without all the name calling and childish rhetoric.  It would make your stuff easier to read.

[Dirty]

You know you could make your point without all the name calling and childish rhetoric.  It would make your stuff easier to read.

It's easier to figure out whom you're talking about if you use the quote.

[daBoar]

Always inconsistent.  Coach is inconsistent Recruiting inconsistent, Effort on court is inconsistent.  We will hit a few Happy, Happys, but we'll feel the aw craps a lot.  MIKE will not refuse to be denied.  We willl not be a respected  team feared throughout the land like Nolan had us for a few years.

In my opinion, for most of the past 2 seasons the Hogs have lacked a floor general or team leader (creating a lot of the inconsistency); Barford has been assuming that role of late, and doing a very nice job, on both sides of the court, pointing to next year. 

[Boardon Hamsay]

If the Hog bball program were a stock, it would be a hold right now. It's had a decent run lately but the UNC game will determine if it can run higher/gain more investment worthy sentiment or see a big sell off/continue to be more of a trading stock.

Longer out, there are good in state recruiting classes coming in and MA isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Whether the recruiting classes are the result of a simple up cycle in in state talent or the results of great recruiting is debatable. Regardless, until the Hogs can beat an elite team and consistently be a tournament team, it's a stock to trade rather than own because it has very clear history of what the support price is and what the resistance price is, so to speak.

[bphi11ips]

 

[ChicoHog]

If the Hog bball program were a stock, it would be a hold right now. It's had a decent run lately but the UNC game will determine if it can run higher/gain more investment worthy sentiment or see a big sell off/continue to be more of a trading stock.

Longer out, there are good in state recruiting classes coming in and MA isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Whether the recruiting classes are the result of a simple up cycle in in state talent or the results of great recruiting is debatable. Regardless, until the Hogs can beat an elite team and consistently be a tournament team, it's a stock to trade rather than own because it has very clear history of what the support price is and what the resistance price is, so to speak.

Well said. 

[HamSammich]

I'll say it.... FIRE RICK SMITH!

[Ironhawg]

It's easier to figure out whom you're talking about if you use the quote.

My bad.  Thanks.

[Ironhawg]

Serious question.  It feels like to me that a win over the Tarheels would be absolutely huge for giving Mike and the Hogs momentum in building the program going forward.  Am I overstating the potential effect of a win today?

[sickboy]

Serious question.  It feels like to me that a win over the Tarheels would be absolutely huge for giving Mike and the Hogs momentum in building the program going forward.  Am I overstating the potential effect of a win today?

No. Beating the Tar Heels on a stage like this would be a program shifting win for recruiting.

[Hawg Red]

I feel really good about where things are headed because they easily could have folded up and gone off the rails after the Vanderbilt loss at home, but they instead responded by only dropping one more regular season game and making the finals of the SEC tournament and then advancing in the NCAA tournament. And while I absolutely believe the talent on this roster to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it is not a complete roster. So to be able to ultimately see the kind of success most fans expected to start the season and at the same time also see how flawed the roster still is, it's encouraging. We're seeing overachieving because we're having to overcome internal obstacles. The staff did a great job of patching together a good roster after the debacle of an offseason between tournament teams but we're still feeling the effects off that fall-off. In-state recruiting has been sewn up and should allow for continued success.

[Ironhawg]

No. Beating the Tar Heels on a stage like this would be a program shifting win for recruiting.

Ok.  Thanks.  That is what I was thinking.  A win like this at least gets us back in the recruiting conversation on a national level. 

[passinghog]

I feel really good about where things are headed because they easily could have folded up and gone off the rails after the Vanderbilt loss at home, but they instead responded by only dropping one more regular season game and making the finals of the SEC tournament and then advancing in the NCAA tournament. And while I absolutely believe the talent on this roster to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it is not a complete roster. So to be able to ultimately see the kind of success most fans expected to start the season and at the same time also see how flawed the roster still is, it's encouraging. We're seeing overachieving because we're having to overcome internal obstacles. The staff did a great job of patching together a good roster after the debacle of an offseason between tournament teams but we're still feeling the effects off that fall-off. In-state recruiting has been sewn up and should allow for continued success.

Exactly. This is definitely not a complete roster. About 4 players that we can't rely on for any type of scoring or consistent role. A loss today would only show what we all know about this team. I honestly think a win today says more about MA than it does about this team. A win today shows we have an upper echelon coach, no matter what a naysayer may think.

[hogsanity]

If the Hog bball program were a stock, it would be a hold right now. It's had a decent run lately but the UNC game will determine if it can run higher/gain more investment worthy sentiment or see a big sell off/continue to be more of a trading stock.

Longer out, there are good in state recruiting classes coming in and MA isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Whether the recruiting classes are the result of a simple up cycle in in state talent or the results of great recruiting is debatable. Regardless, until the Hogs can beat an elite team and consistently be a tournament team, it's a stock to trade rather than own because it has very clear history of what the support price is and what the resistance price is, so to speak.

It would also still be way off it's all time high. It would be a internet bubble stock from the late 90's, once trading at $300 now at about $30. While it may trend upwards it would take several excellent season n a row to get anywhere near what it once was.

So the question becomes what are we comparing the trend to? The Highs that the program saw from the late 70's-mid 90's, or 1997-2011?

[Little Lady Back]

I feel really good about where things are headed because they easily could have folded up and gone off the rails after the Vanderbilt loss at home, but they instead responded by only dropping one more regular season game and making the finals of the SEC tournament and then advancing in the NCAA tournament. And while I absolutely believe the talent on this roster to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it is not a complete roster. So to be able to ultimately see the kind of success most fans expected to start the season and at the same time also see how flawed the roster still is, it's encouraging. We're seeing overachieving because we're having to overcome internal obstacles. The staff did a great job of patching together a good roster after the debacle of an offseason between tournament teams but we're still feeling the effects off that fall-off. In-state recruiting has been sewn up and should allow for continued success.

Well said, Hawg Red!

[rude1]

Had NCAA Tourney or bust at the beginning of the season, that goal was met plus a Tourney win. Still don't have a feel for our ceiling yet, but like the direction we are headed and looking forward to seeing how the upcoming seasons play out.

[Mike Irwin]

More conjecture with with no basis other than your desire to prove some know it all point by overlooking the freaking obvious.   Hate to remind everyone who loves to rewrite history, we weren't feared with Nolan's last teams, we havent been feared since 1995.  One thing Mike has proven is that even after he had a down year due to early departures he could recruit his way back to that level, he has also proven he can win in the tournament with new guys, and he's proven that he can get the elite AR recruits, just look at the next 3 years.  All things you nimrods said he couldn't do. 
He's definetly getting us there and you guys are kicking and screaming because you think he should be as consistent at this stage as about 5 coachs in the nation, get real.  Its a process for us now mainly due to some itdiotic fans in the late 90s and a coach with a racial chip on his shoulder.  Man up quit the nanny nanny boo boo I told you so every time there's a slip.  Get behind the team instead of behind your own interenet wanna be wisdom that points out only negatives looking the other way at all positives.  It's pathetic that even as of yesterday some of you are still posting this crap.  Duke, Kentucky Kansas will gladly take your fake fandom that's about the only teams that will meet your qualification in 2017 but please don't come back when we're battling again.

You know you could make your point without all the name calling and childish rhetoric.  It would make your stuff easier to read.

I had no trouble reading it. Outstanding post.

[BDSCT51]

I feel really good about where things are headed because they easily could have folded up and gone off the rails after the Vanderbilt loss at home, but they instead responded by only dropping one more regular season game and making the finals of the SEC tournament and then advancing in the NCAA tournament. And while I absolutely believe the talent on this roster to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it is not a complete roster. So to be able to ultimately see the kind of success most fans expected to start the season and at the same time also see how flawed the roster still is, it's encouraging. We're seeing overachieving because we're having to overcome internal obstacles. The staff did a great job of patching together a good roster after the debacle of an offseason between tournament teams but we're still feeling the effects off that fall-off. In-state recruiting has been sewn up and should allow for continued success.

HR nailed this one!

[ErieHog]

Serious question.  It feels like to me that a win over the Tarheels would be absolutely huge for giving Mike and the Hogs momentum in building the program going forward.  Am I overstating the potential effect of a win today?

Yeah.   Recruiting for the next couple of seasons is reasonably locked in-- its not like a win today opens new vistas in that regard.     Wins like this will help our general exposure, though, which is a net benefit for 2, 3, and 4 years down the line-- but all of that can wash away with a couple of losses against the likes of this year's Missouri, or a step back season of 20 wins.

[discombobulationist]

We were at one point losing to
Morgan State and going 2-14 in SEC play.

Great perspective. We're definitely trending up. I'm a little concerned about our size next year, going to have to depend on youngsters.

[Boardon Hamsay]

It would also still be way off it's all time high. It would be a internet bubble stock from the late 90's, once trading at $300 now at about $30. While it may trend upwards it would take several excellent season n a row to get anywhere near what it once was.

So the question becomes what are we comparing the trend to? The Highs that the program saw from the late 70's-mid 90's, or 1997-2011?

I was thinking we're kinda like the financial sector. Maybe like the 10 year chart for BAC, lol. Spent years trading in the mid teens without many breakouts or momentum. Finally got a little momentum a few years ago and then a little more this year with deregulation hopes and interest rates going higher. We're on a plateau now waiting for more reasons for upside. Beating UNC would be like the Fed adding another rate hike into this year's plan, lol.

To make the math easier, let's say the Eddie and Nolan eras saw our stock trading between $70 and $100/share. Steady growth most years and peaked at $100 between the title in 94 and the runner up in 95.

We're probably trading in the $35 range now, which is obviously well below all time highs. I suppose we should say we don't worry about where the stock has been but instead are only concerned about where it's going in the future. So, $35 is where we are....right on the 52 week high and testing that resistance price again. Beat UNC and we break the $35 resistance price finally and move the upside price to ~$50. A loss to UNC and we get a sell off back to $30 where we see more recent historical support.

While this might be embellished a bit for fun, it's not far from reality. If we want to see our stock price move, we've gotta consistently meet/beat street estimates. Otherwise, we're just a stock to trade on earnings surprise hopes.

[oldbooniehog]

For the last 20 or so years, Arkansas basketball has been somewhere between truly awful to second-rate.

I've seen nothing this year to indicate that will be changing anytime soon.

Even at its very best this season, Arkansas has been second-rate. An unranked also-ran that can usually win against the really bad teams, but that gets smoked by truly quality teams.

I look for more of the same next year. And year after that. And the year after that, ad infinitum.

[hobhog]

We are really really really far from competing against the elite programs. These awesome recruits better be damn good.

[Ironhawg]

I had no trouble reading it. Outstanding post.

I had no trouble reading it, I just think it would be a better read without referring to other Hog fans as nimrods and idiots.  We can have a better discussion without name calling and trying to put people on "sides".  Just my humble opinion of course.

[ErieHog]

We aren't that far from competing at the top level; the main problem right now is roster turnover.

We aren't going to be able to use the Kentucky/Duke model of bringing in one and dones to get the job done--  it doesn't suit our system, and won't change overnight.   

But, we're in pretty good shape.

[Hoggish1]

UP, dude...

[Boardon Hamsay]

Not a bad showing. Hog stock drops from $35 to $33 and still a hold but no massive sell offs.

[sadhogfan]

We are really really really far from competing against the elite programs.

Feelin' pretty good about that statement about now, huh?