Just looked at Bobby Portis Profile...

[-Blu]

And I didn't realize how much he accomplished this year.  I knew he broke the single game scoring record and made all SEC, but everything else I was pleasantly surprised to read.

-Broke Arkansas freshman rebounding record
-Broke Arkansas single game scoring record
-Tied Arkansas record for most times as SEC Freshman of the week
-Only freshman in the nation with 50 blocks and 50 assist
-6th Razorback ever to earn all SEC honors as a freshman
- All SEC Freshman Team
- All SEC Second Team

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30749&SPID=2421&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=209283274&Q_SEASON=2014

I hope the staff uses this information only with all the sportscenter appearances we made this year, to let kids know you can play our style of basketball and still have individual success and get national exposure.  I mean, can you say that if Portis would have went somewhere else and played 32 MPG his freshman resume would have looked much better than it did here at Arkansas playing 27 MPG?

[Atlhogfan1]

Scoring game record for a freshman. 

[Smithian]

And I didn't realize how much he accomplished this year.  I knew he broke the single game scoring record and made all SEC, but everything else I was pleasantly surprised to read.

-Broke Arkansas freshman rebounding record
-Broke Arkansas single game scoring record
-Tied Arkansas record for most times as SEC Freshman of the week
-Only freshman in the nation with 50 blocks and 50 assist
-6th Razorback ever to earn all SEC honors as a freshman
- All SEC Freshman Team
- All SEC Second Team

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30749&SPID=2421&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=209283274&Q_SEASON=2014

I hope the staff uses this information only with all the sportscenter appearances we made this year, to let kids know you can play our style of basketball and still have individual success and get national exposure.  I mean, can you say that if Portis would have went somewhere else and played 32 MPG his freshman resume would have looked much better than it did here at Arkansas playing 27 MPG?

Since you threw that snarky comment in at the end... If they are sharing that message then it hasn't hit home. Missed on two big time recruits.  Maybe Whitt will listen.

[Boston RedHogs]

He should have been SEC Freshman of the year, but the media was just so hell bent on giving it to Julius Randle.

Randle is no doubt a great player and you can't say he shouldn't have won the award, but given how the regular season actually unfolded, I think Portis should have edged him out.

I can't wait to see Portis play next year.  I think he will have a monster year.  Further, I think this will be a different team next year and it will be because of Portis' leadership.

[Smithian]

He should have been SEC Freshman of the year, but the media was just so hell bent on giving it to Julius Randle.

Randle is no doubt a great player and you can't say he shouldn't have won the award, but given how the regular season actually unfolded, I think Portis should have edged him out.

I can't wait to see Portis play next year.  I think he will have a monster year.  Further, I think this will be a different team next year and it will be because of Portis' leadership.

Portis was very good as a freshman. We can all agree on that. Disagree he was better than Julius Randle.

[-Blu]

Since you threw that snarky comment in at the end... If they are sharing that message then it hasn't hit home. Missed on two big time recruits.  Maybe Whitt will listen.

What are you talking about dude... Nobody throwing "snarky" remarks, I didn't even know people still used that word, I haven't heard that used since I was like 5 by my grandma.  Seems like your looking for something to try to try to argue about.  There's nothing at all to argue with in this thread, those are his accomplishments, I didn't realize he done so much, and I watched every game, just made thread to show other fans as well in case they missed it. And I highlighted he done this in only 27MPG, and one of the alleged points our competitors use against us in recruiting is players don't get enough minutes to do accomplish anything, this shows different.

[Atlhogfan1]

To answer Blu's question, maybe.  I would lean to probably not.  He had solid stats at Arkansas.  He was our most talented player even as a freshman.  The rebounding stats aren't surprising given Clarke is 3 inches shorter and often stayed in foul trouble having to help on defense so often.  Kingsley wasn't played enough.  So the rebounding and blocks aren't surprising given Portis was the best option to do both for us this past season. 

His scoring was actually hampered by the system and the guards in it.  Poor shot selection by them and a lack of ability or emphasis to get Portis the ball consistently reduced his scoring opportunities.  In over half the SEC games, he had single digit FGA's while playing near or over 30 minutes.  In the Bama game, he had the 29 in the first half but only 6 in the second half.  With 16+ left, he made a layup and shortly after Mike took him out.  He didn't get another attempt till under 6 left in a tight game.  Bama had no answer for him yet we gave them a gift for over half the second half by either Portis not being in or his teammates failing to keep him involved.  This was followed up with 8 FGA's at Vandy.  Better guard play should help Portis.  I am of the unpopular opinion that a frontcourt player signing with Anderson is similar to a QB signing with Nutt. 

I get the point you are trying to make Blu.  And Mike has a history of preferring to play more experienced players especially at the G position.  Portis' minutes and sometimes lead role offensively may start to break down the pattern even though he isn't a G.  Will be interesting to see how Beard is brought along in terms of minutes and responsibility.  We should hope that Portis' admirable loyalty to the program and UA will influence more Arkansas recruits to at least strongly consider staying home.   

As far as Randle, he deserved the recognition although he benefitted greatly from the way UK played so often in the regular season.  They took the dribble drive to an extreme.  More like drive, crash into someone throw up a shot  and get to the line or get an OR and get to the line.  Randle's rebound stats are impressive but 289 FTA's to Portis' 118 shows a couple of differences in the style of the players and their teams.  Randle was more involved more often offensively.

[yraciv]

He should have been SEC Freshman of the year, but the media was just so hell bent on giving it to Julius Randle.

Randle is no doubt a great player and you can't say he shouldn't have won the award, but given how the regular season actually unfolded, I think Portis should have edged him out.

I can't wait to see Portis play next year.  I think he will have a monster year.  Further, I think this will be a different team next year and it will be because of Portis' leadership.

Bit of homerism there.  Portis was very good, but Randle was the standout on the better team.  Randle is a better scorer, way better rebounder, and doesn't get pushed around near as much as Portis.

[sasnakrafan]

Randle help lead Kentucky to the Finals--I mean I thought Portis was GREAT, but Kentucky without Randle borderline NCAA tourney team, Arkansas without Portis is well not going to the tourney. . . wait

[-Blu]

To answer Blu's question, maybe.  I would lean to probably not.  He had solid stats at Arkansas.  He was our most talented player even as a freshman.  The rebounding stats aren't surprising given Clarke is 3 inches shorter and often stayed in foul trouble having to help on defense so often.  Kingsley wasn't played enough.  So the rebounding and blocks aren't surprising given Portis was the best option to do both for us this past season. 

His scoring was actually hampered by the system and the guards in it.  Poor shot selection by them and a lack of ability or emphasis to get Portis the ball consistently reduced his scoring opportunities.  In over half the SEC games, he had single digit FGA's while playing near or over 30 minutes.  In the Bama game, he had the 29 in the first half but only 6 in the second half.  With 16+ left, he made a layup and shortly after Mike took him out.  He didn't get another attempt till under 6 left in a tight game.  Bama had no answer for him yet we gave them a gift for over half the second half by either Portis not being in or his teammates failing to keep him involved.  This was followed up with 8 FGA's at Vandy.  Better guard play should help Portis.  I am of the unpopular opinion that a frontcourt player signing with Anderson is similar to a QB signing with Nutt. 

I get the point you are trying to make Blu.  And Mike has a history of preferring to play more experienced players especially at the G position.  Portis' minutes and sometimes lead role offensively may start to break down the pattern even though he isn't a G.  Will be interesting to see how Beard is brought along in terms of minutes and responsibility.  We should hope that Portis' admirable loyalty to the program and UA will influence more Arkansas recruits to at least strongly consider staying home.   

As far as Randle, he deserved the recognition although he benefitted greatly from the way UK played so often in the regular season.  They took the dribble drive to an extreme.  More like drive, crash into someone throw up a shot  and get to the line or get an OR and get to the line.  Randle's rebound stats are impressive but 289 FTA's to Portis' 118 shows a couple of differences in the style of the players and their teams.  Randle was more involved more often offensively.

Good Post +1.  And I'm curious to see how Beard will be used as well.  When I look at Beard and his situation it reminds me so much of Phil Pressy's situation at Mizzou.  Pressy played 22 MPG as a freshman, however he didn't start, but closed a lot of games, and played the "important minutes" I would think Beard will be used in similar way.  I fully expect to see him and Madden on the court a lot together, but I think Madden and Bell will probably be our starting back-court barring the both continue to progress. 

And you comment about us not using Portis the ball enough, I actually agree 100% with you.  Even though Portis was one of our top scorer too many times our guards didn't have the ability to get him the ball and we settled for bad shots.  I would like to see the offense this year ran through Portis, he should at least get a good look and touch of the ball every other possession he's in the game, he has a high IQ and good passer for his size.  Hopefully the problem was our lack of a "PG" that's able to distribute and Durham and Beard will fix that problem.

[Breems]

To answer Blu's question, maybe.  I would lean to probably not.  He had solid stats at Arkansas.  He was our most talented player even as a freshman.  The rebounding stats aren't surprising given Clarke is 3 inches shorter and often stayed in foul trouble having to help on defense so often.  Kingsley wasn't played enough.  So the rebounding and blocks aren't surprising given Portis was the best option to do both for us this past season. 

His scoring was actually hampered by the system and the guards in it.  Poor shot selection by them and a lack of ability or emphasis to get Portis the ball consistently reduced his scoring opportunities.  In over half the SEC games, he had single digit FGA's while playing near or over 30 minutes.  In the Bama game, he had the 29 in the first half but only 6 in the second half.  With 16+ left, he made a layup and shortly after Mike took him out.  He didn't get another attempt till under 6 left in a tight game.  Bama had no answer for him yet we gave them a gift for over half the second half by either Portis not being in or his teammates failing to keep him involved.  This was followed up with 8 FGA's at Vandy.  Better guard play should help Portis.  I am of the unpopular opinion that a frontcourt player signing with Anderson is similar to a QB signing with Nutt. 

I get the point you are trying to make Blu.  And Mike has a history of preferring to play more experienced players especially at the G position.  Portis' minutes and sometimes lead role offensively may start to break down the pattern even though he isn't a G.  Will be interesting to see how Beard is brought along in terms of minutes and responsibility.  We should hope that Portis' admirable loyalty to the program and UA will influence more Arkansas recruits to at least strongly consider staying home.   

As far as Randle, he deserved the recognition although he benefitted greatly from the way UK played so often in the regular season.  They took the dribble drive to an extreme.  More like drive, crash into someone throw up a shot  and get to the line or get an OR and get to the line.  Randle's rebound stats are impressive but 289 FTA's to Portis' 118 shows a couple of differences in the style of the players and their teams.  Randle was more involved more often offensively.

As a freshman, Portis led the team in minutes and FGAs. Big men have led the way for Mike's best teams. I'm not so sure the system is holding him back.

I'm probably in the minority, but I don't believe you can run an offense through Portis at this point. He scores off of hustle and jumpers when defenders give him a bit of space. He doesn't demand the ball in the post or utilize size mismatches (sans Bama). He seems to always look to pass when he gets the ball in the post. He doesn't have the handles for a dominating face-up game.

The offense should continue to run through Madden next season unless Portis makes unbelievable strides toward either end of his tweener position. Hopefully the offseason brings more tools to his belt.

[OnTheHillHogFan]

As a freshman, Portis led the team in minutes and FGAs. Big men have led the way for Mike's best teams. I'm not so sure the system is holding him back.

I'm probably in the minority, but I don't believe you can run an offense through Portis at this point. He scores off of hustle and jumpers when defenders give him a bit of space. He doesn't demand the ball in the post or utilize size mismatches (sans Bama). He seems to always look to pass when he gets the ball in the post. He doesn't have the handles for a dominating face-up game.

The offense should continue to run through Madden next season unless Portis makes unbelievable strides toward either end of his tweener position. Hopefully the offseason brings more tools to his belt.

I think we will see the offense run more through Portis than it was this past year. A year in the weight room will help him get stronger which will allow him to get better position on the block.

Also Madden will play off the ball a lot more this year with the addition of Beard and Durham which is good because like MA said at the end of the year the ball was in his hands too much at times which hurt the offense.

[hawgmasta]

I had no idea he accompished all that either. Many times this year I saw people post their favorite players were Madden, Bell, Haydar, Kingsley etc., and there's nothing wrong with that. To me, it's gonna be Portis for a long time. A kid from Little Rock who always wanted to be a hog and could've gone anywhere in the country or overseas probably to play.

I'm excited for next year because most great basketball players should make huge strides in their first year or two. Portis could easily average 16ppg and 8rpg next year.

[Smithian]

Probably too optimistic but if the Hogs can shoot and spread the court next season I could see Bobby Portis having an elite season and challenging for SEC POY. He is a darn good player and has major potential.

[ErieHog]

I had no idea he accompished all that either. Many times this year I saw people post their favorite players were Madden, Bell, Haydar, Kingsley etc., and there's nothing wrong with that. To me, it's gonna be Portis for a long time. A kid from Little Rock who always wanted to be a hog and could've gone anywhere in the country or overseas probably to play.

I'm excited for next year because most great basketball players should make huge strides in their first year or two. Portis could easily average 16ppg and 8rpg next year.

Given his talent, I wouldn't count on him being around for a long time.   

[OnTheHillHogFan]

Probably too optimistic but if the Hogs can shoot and spread the court next season I could see Bobby Portis having an elite season and challenging for SEC POY. He is a darn good player and has major potential.

I don't think so. He averaged 13 and 6 this year so its not crazy to think he could average around 17 points and 8 rebounds. Not to mention a block or so a game plus 2 assists.

[root_hawg]

How many assists did Randle have?  Surely he had 50 & 50.

[OnTheHillHogFan]

How many assists did Randle have?  Surely he had 50 & 50.

He had 57 but only 31 blocks.

[root_hawg]

Thx

[Johnboy]

Since you threw that snarky comment in at the end... If they are sharing that message then it hasn't hit home. Missed on two big time recruits.  Maybe Whitt will listen.

Snarky comment?  You are for sure trying to stir a pot that doesn't even exist.