Houston so far

[HognitiveDissonance]

Regular Season
vs MORG
W
93-52

vs GMU
W
93-56

vs SDAK
W
85-58

vs UVM
W
72-71

vs COR
W
83-53

@ LSU
L
84-65

vs PV
W
105-61

@ ARK
12/6
6:00 PM
SECN




Since I knew nothing about Houston, I looked this up.
Based on these results, particularly the road game at LSU, I would expect a Hog win Tuesday. I may be wrong, but I don't suspect LSU is all that tough, and they handled Houston ok. And I always have confidence in the Hogs at home.
I say there will be 8247 there Tuesday and Hogs win 79-67.

[hobhog]

Need to win this.

[TexArkHogFan]

Won't be an easy game.  They stayed with LSU through the first half, LSU won the second half.  I remember when we played them in LR when Harris was still on their roster.  They whupped us. 

[Biggus Piggus]

I watched that Houston-LSU game. It was a strange performance by Houston. Their starting big man, senior Danrad Knowles, is 6-10, 200 and never made much of an impact on the game. He finished with three fouls in 14 minutes. Sampson went with 6-9, 235 senior reserve Bertrand Nkali, who can defend and rebound but is no scoring threat.

LSU focused on rebounding, and it seemed like they got all the 50-50 balls. They had 20 offensive boards, which was more than the number of defensive rebounds Houston got.

LSU's starting forwards are 6-10, 235 and 6-9, 235, and they bring 6-10, 220 and 7-1, 290 off the bench. Sampson said LSU's size gave the Cougars problems.

Arkansas has little muscle like that (you could count Trey Thompson), so this might be a more competitive game than the 19-point loss Houston had at LSU.

I'm sure everybody simply wants to see Arkansas rise to the challenge.

[JayBell]

This is exactly the kind of game Arkansas needs to be playing.  Houston has a similar style.  If Anderson is going to push this (somewhat misleading) "Fastest 40" style, then Arkansas needs the games against Houston and Texas on TV to show off the program.

Houston is a good opponent.  Win or lose, even a lot of fans who aren't big on Anderson will be happy with a close, exciting game that can harken back to the days of Nolan.

[Big Nasty 34]

I believe they lead the nation in 3P FG%.. That could really keep them in the game and be a challenge. We need a good turnout and atmosphere to push us over the edge!

[NWAHog479]

Would be a great win so early on in the season. The guys can gain some great confidence with a win over a big school/solid team. Winning tomorrow and beating Texas would be a great finish to our non-conference season.

[HF#1]

We need to win this game, badly.

[colbs]

I believe they lead the nation in 3P FG%.. That could really keep them in the game and be a challenge. We need a good turnout and atmosphere to push us over the edge!

Well some fans want to wait to see how they do in this game before they really start attending games.  The thing about it is the louder BWA gets the tougher it gets for the opponent.

[Biggus Piggus]

This is exactly the kind of game Arkansas needs to be playing.  Houston has a similar style.  If Anderson is going to push this (somewhat misleading) "Fastest 40" style, then Arkansas needs the games against Houston and Texas on TV to show off the program.

Houston is a good opponent.  Win or lose, even a lot of fans who aren't big on Anderson will be happy with a close, exciting game that can harken back to the days of Nolan.

Arkansas has played one game at an exceptionally fast tempo, and that was against Fort Wayne.

The team seems to be comfortable around 70 possessions per game. That number falls right around the midpoint of all teams in college basketball.

You are correct. "Fastest 40" they are not.

[daprospecta]

I watched them play Cornell. IMO, they don't have the same amount of talent as we do.  They have one guy, can't remember his name, but he is a slasher but he is under-sized.  I think this is a game we SHOULD win.

[HoopS]

Well some fans want to wait to see how they do in this game before they really start attending games.  The thing about it is the louder BWA gets the tougher it gets for the opponent.

when the weather is fair, some will decide to come.

[ErieHog]

This will be a reasonably competitive game.  There should no be expectation of an automatic win, nor even a 'should win'.

[cardsNhogs]

This will be a reasonably competitive game.  There should no be expectation of an automatic win, nor even a 'should win'.

Should Win!

[Big Nasty 34]

Well some fans want to wait to see how they do in this game before they really start attending games.  The thing about it is the louder BWA gets the tougher it gets for the opponent.

We have our biggest crowd of the year and played by far our best game. Coincidence? I don't think it is much of one.

[root_hawg]

cream puff city ...

[26.2Hog]

Just checked four different RPI rating services, and they have the Hogs ranked 19-22, with Houston ranked 58-63.

I look for the Hogs to win at home. 

[Otis]

Would be a great win so early on in the season. The guys can gain some great confidence with a win over a big school/solid team. Winning tomorrow and beating Texas would be a great finish to our non-conference season.

Make Arkansas GREAT again!!

[elksnort]

I believe they lead the nation in 3P FG%.. That could really keep them in the game and be a challenge. We need a good turnout and atmosphere to push us over the edge!

Look for this percentage to rise even more against the Hogs. Because doubling down on some half a$$ big man or trapping 50 feet away from the rim is more important than guarding a wide open 3 point shooter.

[hobhog]

This is exactly the kind of game Arkansas needs to be playing.  Houston has a similar style.  If Anderson is going to push this (somewhat misleading) "Fastest 40" style, then Arkansas needs the games against Houston and Texas on TV to show off the program.

Houston is a good opponent.  Win or lose, even a lot of fans who aren't big on Anderson will be happy with a close, exciting game that can harken back to the days of Nolan.

No. If he loses this game no one will be happy. He needs to win at home, period. Especially against like talent.

[HardingHog]

I don't expect an easy win against Houston. They have a ton of upperclassmen, don't turn it over very much, and are the best 3 point shooting team in the nation. We'll definitely have to step the defense up a notch! I'm hoping being at home helps the D settle in early and leads to many easy buckets. Also, a 20/10 breakout by Moses wouldn't hurt either  :razorback:

[nwahogfan1]

I want a win of course but I want to see our team to build on the Austin Peay game.  I want to see us get physical and on the offensive boards. I want to see some inside out action.  I want to see our under sized 4s and 5s get physical and get involved on the inside.   From what you guys are telling me Houston is not real big so we have to out play them down low and continue to build on that.

I did not watch them play LSU but apparently LSU beat them up on the boards and got those inside points.  Big physical type teams really scare me until I see us get tougher inside and also force more TOs so we can get those easy transition points.  We need an inside game.

[JayBell]

No. If he loses this game no one will be happy. He needs to win at home, period. Especially against like talent.

Apparently I'm no one.

[JayBell]

Arkansas has played one game at an exceptionally fast tempo, and that was against Fort Wayne.

The team seems to be comfortable around 70 possessions per game. That number falls right around the midpoint of all teams in college basketball.

You are correct. "Fastest 40" they are not.

They want to play that way, they're just not good enough to impose their style on decent teams.  Whether that's on the players or the coaching is the debate.

[HoopS]

In the Minn game, we had several things that hurt.

All the bigs were in foul trouble
We shot 12.5% from three
We turned the ball over too much
They blocked 8 of our shots


We actually outreboinded then 38-30
Free throws and fouls were basically a wash


Communication was the culprit in several turnovers. I was listening to Zimmerman during the game and it was clear that a few of the newer guys didn't cut right or at the right time, or get their head around, or have their hands up, or other little things. All things that are correctable. All reasons why we lost and why I'm not giving up on the team. Very correctable things that obviously the staff saw as they happened.

[HF#1]

This will be a reasonably competitive game.  There should no be expectation of an automatic win, nor even a 'should win'.

Need to win.

[HognitiveDissonance]

I didn't realize Kelvin Sampson is coaching Houston now?
He's had success in Bud Walton before...I remember one year he brought his OU team in and spanked us.
So that concerns me some, he'll have his guys prepared, no doubt.
But I will stick to my prediction. I just have faith in the home games that we'll get it done. My default position is to always pick Hogs at home, unless it's an overwhelming matchup, such as Syracuse coming in a few years ago with a Top 5 team.

[Atlhogfan1]

Need to win.

Erie always works hard selling our ooc opponents. 

This would seem like a need to win.  I'm sure jry will give us his bracketology opinion.  The non conf may be void of the dead weight, bad RPI opponents but few chances for quality wins.  When the committee is discussing and trying to differentiate, it is good to give them something in terms of quality wins.  With the way Texas has started, need to win this one at home. 

[HoopS]

If rpi is even close to right, Erie doesn't have to work too hard.

We have learned how to schedule and that's big.

[Rawker]

All reasons why we lost and why I'm not giving up on the team.

Why would giving up on a team at 6-1 even be a consideration?

[HoopS]

Why would giving up on a team at 6-1 even be a consideration?

I don't know. I'm a Hog fan who won't ever be accused of being a fairweather fan. Maybe some of them can chime in. Literally, some have said they'll pay attention once they're winning at a level they deem good enough. I've never been like that as a fan. But maybe that's easier. I don't know and won't be finding out. When the season is over, I will either be on board for a change or not. But I will try to enjoy the season right now. Life is too short to stay stressed out the way some are. Really kinda sad.

[Atlhogfan1]

If rpi is even close to right, Erie doesn't have to work too hard.

We have learned how to schedule and that's big.

RPI does not equal how talented a team is with a low to mid major (SFA for ex) especially the level of threat they should pose to beating the Hogs in BWA.  We see it every year with the selling of the ooc opponents. 

[HoopS]

RPI does not equal how talented a team is with a low to mid major (SFA for ex) especially the level of threat they should pose to beating the Hogs in BWA.  We see it every year with the selling of the ooc opponents. 

explain Fort Wayne beating Indiana.

[Atlhogfan1]

explain Fort Wayne beating Indiana.

Upset. They happen. Anomalies.  Different from stating nearly every opponent is good.  They aren't in relative terms.  In the FtW case, game in FtW.  Big difference than Assembly Hall or BWA.  Hogs have gone to Tulsa and lost to TU and ORU and Springfield and lost to Mizzou St.  It happens. 

[HoopS]

If they have the talent to beat Indiana ANYWHERE, they had the talent to beat us. Period

[Atlhogfan1]

If they have the talent to beat Indiana ANYWHERE, they had the talent to beat us. Period

Chaminade pulls off an upset every decade or so?  If Chaminade came to BWA, would we talk about what a good team they have? 


Below is the normal December rhetoric.  Then the real season starts and reality starts to set in. 

Playing pretty well against a really good opponent.

Solid half against a really good team.

Hogs up 6, with a half to play.

They're a tournament type team.

[Atlhogfan1]

Anyway, back to Houston.  One of probably two on this non conference schedule who we looked at before the season and thought they would/could be in contention for an at large spot in the NCAAT.  It's a game which needs to be won. 

[elksnort]

Chaminade pulls off an upset every decade or so?  If Chaminade came to BWA, would we talk about what a good team they have? 


Below is the normal December rhetoric.  Then the real season starts and reality starts to set in. 

Haha, you must be near my age Chaminade beat UVA or somebody very good in, I think in the 1980s

[HoopS]

Haha, you must be near my age Chaminade beat UVA or somebody very good in, I think in the 1980s

I watched that game. Also Richmond Spiders when they pulled thenyoset.

[Atlhogfan1]

Haha, you must be near my age Chaminade beat UVA or somebody very good in, I think in the 1980s

Ralph Sampson UVA.  They have won a few in their tournament.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

Simple path to victory....if Houston can't hit the 3 at a 35% clip Arkansas should win going away in the 2nd half.

(They rely heavily on the 3)

Look for no more than a 5-9 pt margin either way at the half.  Again if Arkansas chooses to hang around the perimeter and not solely rely on traps to create turnovers then the 2nd wave of player's should get into their legs halfway through the 2nd half and start pulling away.

If we're turning them over at a high rate early in the game MA is not going to turn it off.

[cableguy]

I want a win of course but I want to see our team to build on the Austin Peay game.  I want to see us get physical and on the offensive boards. I want to see some inside out action.  I want to see our under sized 4s and 5s get physical and get involved on the inside.   From what you guys are telling me Houston is not real big so we have to out play them down low and continue to build on that.

I did not watch them play LSU but apparently LSU beat them up on the boards and got those inside points.  Big physical type teams really scare me until I see us get tougher inside and also force more TOs so we can get those easy transition points.  We need an inside game.

I agree with you. I bet you MA wants to see the same thing too. I'm still can't believe how well we rebounded in the Austin Peay game, i'm over here like did MA pay off Austin Peay to fool our team in thinking that we can be physical. 

[ErieHog]

If rpi is even close to right, Erie doesn't have to work too hard.

We have learned how to schedule and that's big.

Our scheduling has gotten better; that said, our hit/miss ratio on out of conference opponents has been the tough part of scheduling forever;  you can't really see when a program that is at the top of a small league may suddenly back out into the bottom half.     Other than fast-turn around reschedules of open dates from cancellations,  those are the hardest games to schedule.

[ErieHog]

Erie always works hard selling our ooc opponents. 

This would seem like a need to win.  I'm sure jry will give us his bracketology opinion.  The non conf may be void of the dead weight, bad RPI opponents but few chances for quality wins.  When the committee is discussing and trying to differentiate, it is good to give them something in terms of quality wins.  With the way Texas has started, need to win this one at home. 

This is certainly a *need to win*,   if you want to have a postseason of meaning.  It doesn't make it a given, though, or even a super probable win;  it is, though, an eminently winnable game.     Our scheduling, I have to say, has gotten a lot better over time.     We've had too many years where we hit landmines with bad RPI to start the year,  that weren't bad teams--  but the lag in their credibility hurt our overall picture.

[Danny J]

This is certainly a *need to win*,   if you want to have a postseason of meaning.  It doesn't make it a given, though, or even a super probable win;  it is, though, an eminently winnable game.     Our scheduling, I have to say, has gotten a lot better over time.     We've had too many years where we hit landmines with bad RPI to start the year,  that weren't bad teams--  but the lag in their credibility hurt our overall picture.

We can thank the SEC league office getting more involved for helping pick the right opponents. I think this is the 3rd year Greg Shaheen has been consulted in helping schedule better "cupcakes". Teams like BYU figured this out a while back. You don't have to play top 50 teams week in and week out but just stop scheduling teams with RPI's above 250. We had several teams we played in 13/14 that were above 300 and that killed our RPI. I think that is when the SEC decided to step in and become more directly involved. I know they have always approved of the schedule but now they are actually doing more.

[HoopS]

We can thank the SEC league office getting more involved for helping pick the right opponents. I think this is the 3rd year Greg Shaheen has been consulted in helping schedule better "cupcakes". Teams like BYU figured this out a while back. You don't have to play top 50 teams week in and week out but just stop scheduling teams with RPI's above 250. We had several teams we played in 13/14 that were above 300 and that killed our RPI. I think that is when the SEC decided to step in and become more directly involved. I know they have always approved of the schedule but now they are actually doing more.

that is a fact and our scheduling killed our postseason chances. It wasn't the losses either. It was the anchors of teams with 250+ Rpis that we destroyed. Does guy zero good to play those teams.

[elksnort]

Well then Houston is sort of a "must win", because at this point I cant see this team losing 6 or less coference games.

[JayBell]

I don't see it as a must-win with games against Texas and Oklahoma State still out there.  You don't need to sweep those three games to make it into the tournament, but you probably can't go winless either.

[Polecat]

What's our record against Kelvin Sampson-coached teams? Have we ever beaten the guy?

[Wisco Pig]

What's our record against Kelvin Sampson-coached teams? Have we ever beaten the guy?

Looks like Arkansas is 1-4 against Sampson from his days at Oklahoma.  The win was on December 28th, 1994, in Honolulu during the Rainbow Classic.   Those were the days.

Sampson was forced to resign his position at Indiana about a month before the Hogs beat the Hoosiers in the 2008 NCAAs.   Dan Dakich was their interim coach to end the season.