Does Portis' Recent Poor Play...

[Wright43]

...mean he comes back next year?

And on the same vein, does Qualls' excellent play make him leave to go pro?


We're a pretty freaking good team, but if Portis and Qualls stay, Beard develops more, and the new recruits/Dusty are as good as advertised, we could be a GREAT team.

Tough loss, but WPS and proud of the boys. Hopefully this tourney appearance will be the beginning of something big.

[Pigdiana Jones]

Portis is not ready for nba. No freaking way. He wasn't even ready for sec tournament let alone NCAA tournament.

[luke hawg]

Both should return but Im betting that doesn't happen

[LR_Matt]

Portis isn't himself but he's still clocking a double double like crazy. Could it be that we finally met up with some competition lately as it started about the time we played UK first.

[ErieHog]

No.

The Portis/Qualls question is such an easy litmus test about how much someone knows about basketball played at the highest level.

Bobby should go, Qualls should stay.     For selfish reasons, I want them both back.

[BadHog]

Having both back and Whitt coming on could mean a really great 2015-2016 season!!!

[Ulysses_S_Grunt]

Wonder when they will announce their decisions.

[W_KY_Hog]

How can you top being SEC player of the year? His advisers will tell him to take the money now.

[revolution]

Portis definitely showed that he can be manhandled and is prone to fatigue. I was so excited about his play this year and thought he definitely deserved SEC Player of the Year, but it was shocking how far his game slipped over the last four games. I don't ever remember a Razorback star being that big a disappointment in the postseason over the last 35 years.

[ricepig]

How can you top being SEC player of the year? His advisers will tell him to take the money now.

Being two time like Corliss!

[redeye]

Portis played well tonight.  They just didn't get him the ball as they should have.

[W_KY_Hog]

Being two time like Corliss!

I wish!! I just don't think it'll happen.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Portis definitely showed that he can be manhandled and is prone to fatigue. I was so excited about his play this year and thought he definitely deserved SEC Player of the Year, but it was shocking how far his game slipped over the last four games. I don't ever remember a Razorback star being that big a disappointment in the postseason over the last 35 years.

Bobby had 18 points & 14 rebounds vs, UNC

[OnTheHillHogFan]

Portis played well tonight.  They just didn't get him the ball as they should have.

Our lack of 3 point shooting hurts him when teams go to a zone. It doesn't let him face up about 10-12 feet from the basket and go to work.

[Breems]

If God so loves the world that he gave his only begotten Portis and Qualls back to us, and Whitt and Kapita are even marginally better than who they're replacing, we have Elite Eight potential at the very least.

[alohawg]

Portis definitely showed that he can be manhandled and is prone to fatigue. I was so excited about his play this year and thought he definitely deserved SEC Player of the Year, but it was shocking how far his game slipped over the last four games. I don't ever remember a Razorback star being that big a disappointment in the postseason over the last 35 years.

[Smokehouse]

5 games aren't going to change the draft stock of any player.

Well, unless LeBron starts tweeting about how much he liked those five games.

[revolution]

Bobby had 18 points & 14 rebounds vs, UNC

I will say this - he largely continued to work hard. But if you think he played well or anywhere near what he is capable of, then you haven't been watching his game this year. He didn't play anywhere near his standard from halftime in the Tenn. game to the end of the season. Did other teams game plan to disrupt him? Yes, that's no doubt true. But that happens for every good player on every team. Superstars rise up and play their best. Maybe Portis has that in his future!

[The Boar War]

I think Qualls is gone.  After this week I think Portis has to look at the benefits of coming back. 

[revolution]

Portis definitely showed that he can be manhandled and is prone to fatigue. I was so excited about his play this year and thought he definitely deserved SEC Player of the Year, but it was shocking how far his game slipped over the last four games. I don't ever remember a Razorback star being that big a disappointment in the postseason over the last 35 years.

Let me modify my comments. Portis can't be called a disappointment. I don't mean that. He just had a disappointing end to the season considering the standards he set this year. I hope he stays so we can continue to root him on as a great Razorback. Otherwise, we will cheer him on as a pro!

[root_hawg]

Both are gone

[OnTheHillHogFan]

I think Qualls is gone.  After this week I think Portis has to look at the benefits of coming back.

Where? Eastern Europe? He promised his family that he would graduate. The only way I could see him not doing that is if he was a guaranteed first rounder which he isn't

[razorbackchamps94]

Both are gone

Qualls ball handling is awful .. He's might be gone but not to NBA maybe Europe

[Iwastherein1969]

How can you top being SEC player of the year? His advisers will tell him to take the money now.

that SEC POY means N-O-T-H-I-N-G to the Phil Jacksons, Jim Bus's, ie, NBA talent evaluators for their respective NBA franchises.....they will look at how Bobby has done against the type of talent he will see night-in and night-out in the NBA, then evaluate his basic basketball skills and then do a psychological profile based on his actions on and off the court....the past 3 weeks Bobby has hurt himself in the draft....at this point, Bobby will not be a top 15 pick, yet he will get a good offer to play somewhere...the question is this, will Bobby be satisfied with the crumbs (based on NBA salaries) or will he come back, establish himself even further, hone his skills and get the BIG MONEY next year ?  Basically, its like this, are you satisfied with having a half a million after taxes and buy mom a house, and giving mooching friends money, or do you want to make enough money to be comfortable for a lifetime if he comes back to the UA and gets better ? That's the bottom line.

[Pancetta]

I bet Portis didn't receive a pass to the low block more than 5x tonight. Guards need to have the vision to make entry passes at the right time. Only time Portis wasn't the best player on the floor this year was when he shared it with Karl Anthony Towns. He's better than WCS and would have abused him away from the basket except there were 2 more 6'11"  dudes right behind him.

[ErieHog]

that SEC POY means N-O-T-H-I-N-G to the Phil Jacksons, Jim Bus's, ie, NBA talent evaluators for their respective NBA franchises.....they will look at how Bobby has done against the type of talent he will see night-in and night-out in the NBA, then evaluate his basic basketball skills and then do a psychological profile based on his actions on and off the court....the past 3 weeks Bobby has hurt himself in the draft....at this point, Bobby will not be a top 15 pick, yet he will get a good offer to play somewhere...the question is this, will Bobby be satisfied with the crumbs (based on NBA salaries) or will he come back, establish himself even further, hone his skills and get the BIG MONEY next year ?  Basically, its like this, are you satisfied with having a half a million after taxes and buy mom a house, and giving mooching friends money, or do you want to make enough money to be comfortable for a lifetime if he comes back to the UA and gets better ? That's the bottom line.

And this is the huge disconnect with our fan base.

They see Bobby only putting up 17 and 8 all year,  and not putting up 20 and 15 in the post season, and say

HE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE NBA READY!  LOOKIT HOW HE PLAYS! IF HE STAYS HE CAN BE A TOP 5 GUY, MAYBE!

It is disgusting.  It is embarrassing.

Bobby is an NBA player, forced to play in a college style of basketball-  and while he does have a definite pro ceiling,  the Phil Jacksons of the world are going to be looking at his game in the terms of what it offers to an NBA team-- not how its horned into a college system.

Bobby should go.   He owes us absolutely nothing, and has a bright future.

[pigsooie1000]

And this is the huge disconnect with our fan base.

They see Bobby only putting up 17 and 8 all year,  and not putting up 20 and 15 in the post season, and say

HE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE NBA READY!  LOOKIT HOW HE PLAYS! IF HE STAYS HE CAN BE A TOP 5 GUY, MAYBE!

It is disgusting.  It is embarrassing.

Bobby is an NBA player, forced to play in a college style of basketball-  and while he does have a definite pro ceiling,  the Phil Jacksons of the world are going to be looking at his game in the terms of what it offers to an NBA team-- not how its horned into a college system.

Bobby should go.   He owes us absolutely nothing, and has a bright future.

If he is guaranteed to be a first-round pick sure he should go. what makes you think that Phil Jackson has watched Portis and thinks his game will play better in the NBA? his athletic ability will make him a defensive liability and also make it hard to get his shot. he has skill for sure, but I don't think he is a slam-dunk 1st rounder at all right now

[ConHawg]

I bet Portis didn't receive a pass to the low block more than 5x tonight. Guards need to have the vision to make entry passes at the right time. Only time Portis wasn't the best player on the floor this year was when he shared it with Karl Anthony Towns. He's better than WCS and would have abused him away from the basket except there were 2 more 6'11"  dudes right behind him.

I agree with this. Been saying for the last several games that if he doesn't touch the ball every few times down the court then we will lose.  If we don't threaten the inside attack then we get smothered on the 3 pt line.

[lefty08]

Quit saying we think he owes us something, I don't think there is anybody here who believes that.

[rtr]

It is disgusting.  It is embarrassing.

This is classic overreaction.  You may very well be right but your statements are way too emotional for them to be taken seriously. 

[GrizzlyRider07]

Portis said today after the game that he's coming back

[pigbacon]

I will say this - he largely continued to work hard. But if you think he played well or anywhere near what he is capable of, then you haven't been watching his game this year. He didn't play anywhere near his standard from halftime in the Tenn. game to the end of the season. Did other teams game plan to disrupt him? Yes, that's no doubt true. But that happens for every good player on every team. Superstars rise up and play their best. Maybe Portis has that in his future!

This is bull.

[GoHogs1091]

If he is guaranteed to be a first-round pick sure he should go. what makes you think that Phil Jackson has watched Portis and thinks his game will play better in the NBA? his athletic ability will make him a defensive liability and also make it hard to get his shot. he has skill for sure, but I don't think he is a slam-dunk 1st rounder at all right now

Phil Jackson was at our game with Kentucky at Rupp Arena.  The T.V. camera showed Jackson in the stands watching the game.

Based on what Portis did in that game against NBA type of talent, Jackson may feel that Portis can't help his New York Knicks team.

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

If he is guaranteed to be a first-round pick sure he should go. what makes you think that Phil Jackson has watched Portis and thinks his game will play better in the NBA? his athletic ability will make him a defensive liability and also make it hard to get his shot. he has skill for sure, but I don't think he is a slam-dunk 1st rounder at all right now

He is *absolutely* a first-round draft pick this year. That's never been the question.

The question for me has been whether he's a lottery pick or not.

Guys that are big, fast and skilled with the ball like Bobby Portis and also happen to be hard-working are NBA talents. It just depends on how high his stock soars.

[JenksHawg]

Portis played well tonight.  They just didn't get him the ball as they should have.

Seriously? You actually believe this?

[HF#1]

I think Bobby stays and Qualls is gone.

Not because he isn't ready, but because he loves being a Razorback and loves college.

[W_KY_Hog]

I agree that SEC POY means nothing to the NBA scouts - they are looking at different things than stats. I just think Portis will be advised to go to the draft with the argument there is little to gain and a lot to lose by staying.

[TNhawgfan]

I hope qualls comes back as he is my favorite player and i'm selfish like that. But as a father i understand doing what you have to do to provide for your family, so i think he's gone

[Iwastherein1969]

And this is the huge disconnect with our fan base.

They see Bobby only putting up 17 and 8 all year,  and not putting up 20 and 15 in the post season, and say

HE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE NBA READY!  LOOKIT HOW HE PLAYS! IF HE STAYS HE CAN BE A TOP 5 GUY, MAYBE!

It is disgusting.  It is embarrassing.

Bobby is an NBA player, forced to play in a college style of basketball-  and while he does have a definite pro ceiling,  the Phil Jacksons of the world are going to be looking at his game in the terms of what it offers to an NBA team-- not how its horned into a college system.

Bobby should go.   He owes us absolutely nothing, and has a bright future.

I think I said he would get an NBA contract, which in fact means I believe he has NBA talent...Bobby owes us nothing, I don't know where I said anything different. My point is do you want to get the small contract after this season or do you want to get the top 10 draft pick type money which assures you of being able to never work again and that you can take care of your family for the rest of your life....Bobby will have Okafor, the 7'6" guy from Cal Irvine, and the plethora of bigs from UK that are going to flood the market this coming NBA draft...just give it some thought...sometimes, take that back, most times patience is a virtue

[(notOM)Rebel123]

I think Bobby stays and Qualls is gone.

Not because he isn't ready, but because he loves being a Razorback and loves college.

Hopefully, Qualls will stay because he will not be drafted. Maybe CMA will have Qualls speak with Scotty Thurman.

[TNhawgfan]

You can make a pretty good living playing overseas

[(notOM)Rebel123]

NBA Draft Express has Qualls as a late first-rounder in the 2016 draft.

[ErieHog]

I think I said he would get an NBA contract, which in fact means I believe he has NBA talent...Bobby owes us nothing, I don't know where I said anything different. My point is do you want to get the small contract after this season or do you want to get the top 10 draft pick type money which assures you of being able to never work again and that you can take care of your family for the rest of your life....Bobby will have Okafor, the 7'6" guy from Cal Irvine, and the plethora of bigs from UK that are going to flood the market this coming NBA draft...just give it some thought...sometimes, take that back, most times patience is a virtue

You really aren't familiar with how an NBA rookie deal works, if you think the difference between going say #8 and #20 is that large.  The total value of a 3 year rookie deal for the #8 pick is about $7 million; for #20, its a tick under $5M.       Bobby also has a hard ceiling-- he's never going to be a top 5 guy, no matter how many seasons of college ball he plays.   It is all about service time, for someone in his position, and getting to that second deal as quickly as possible, especially with the existing CBA in place locking rookie salaries in place, while the rest of the league reaps a skyrocketing pay increase due to a huge influx in revenue.   Time is money, in a more meaningful way than ever before.

The kid from UC-Irvine Mamadou N'diaye, is not a blip of a draft prospect yet.   This draft is a little light on NBA 4s, and a little heavy on guys who will be playing the 5.   Lyles and Harrell are the other guys who are Top 15ish worthy, who will primarily be playing the 4 in the league.

[HappyHogFan]

You really aren't familiar with how an NBA rookie deal works, if you think the difference between going say #8 and #20 is that large.  The total value of a 3 year rookie deal for the #8 pick is about $7 million; for #20, its a tick under $5M.       Bobby also has a hard ceiling-- he's never going to be a top 5 guy, no matter how many seasons of college ball he plays.   It is all about service time, for someone in his position, and getting to that second deal as quickly as possible, especially with the existing CBA in place locking rookie salaries in place, while the rest of the league reaps a skyrocketing pay increase due to a huge influx in revenue.   Time is money, in a more meaningful way than ever before.

The kid from UC-Irvine Mamadou N'diaye, is not a blip of a draft prospect yet.   This draft is a little light on NBA 4s, and a little heavy on guys who will be playing the 5.   Lyles and Harrell are the other guys who are Top 15ish worthy, who will primarily be playing the 4 in the league.

Yep, not like the old days where the top 5 picks were getting huge crazy contracts right out of the gate. I like it better myself. Make those potential players earn those big contracts.

[razorbackchamps94]

Portis said today after the game that he's coming back

He said If

[H1N1]

The question is not whether Qualls is ready for the NBA...clearly his game has gaps in translating to that level.  The question is whether he would develop better with another year under Mike or in Europe.

I think we all know the answer to that question.

[lefty08]

He said If

Why are some people so fearful of letting a lil joy into their lives?