Todd Day

[Boston RedHogs]

Just watched the game, which I recorded.  Nice to see Todd Day behind the bench

I know there are varying opinions about Day, but the man was indisputably one hell of a college basketball player.  It was nice to see him there supporting the Hogs.

It felt fitting that he was so visible behind the bench in a game where the Hog's play in the 2nd half was eerily similar to those May/Day - Big O teams.


Great win today!

[FATHAWG08]

Just watched the game, which I recorded.  Nice to see Todd Day behind the bench

I know there are varying opinions about Day, but the man was indisputably one hell of a college basketball player.  It was nice to see him there supporting the Hogs.

It felt fitting that he was so visible behind the bench in a game where the Hog's play in the 2nd half was eerily similar to those May/Day - Big O teams.
Amen!


Great win today!

Amen!

[hogfreak]

I wish they would hire him as an assistant. I think he would be awesome in kids living rooms especially in Memphis.

[Boston RedHogs]

I just like the idea of keeping connected with those players that built this program.

Every time I'm at a Hog football game, we're honoring someone.

We have a lot of great basketball players that have worn a Razorback uniform and yet we never seem to recognize their contributions in a public way.

And Todd Day was awesome!  Not much of a pugilist, but a talented ball player and fearless competitor. 

[AcePigtura]

I just like the idea of keeping connected with those players that built this program.

Every time I'm at a Hog football game, we're honoring someone.

We have a lot of great basketball players that have worn a Razorback uniform and yet we never seem to recognize their contributions in a public way.

I have never understood this. We have had enough former greats that it is crazy to me that we don't have a Saturday game or two a year where a Todd Day, Lee Mayberry, etc aren't honored. Shoot, at least have a bobble head or something.

[Boston RedHogs]

I have never understood this. We have had enough former greats that it is crazy to me that we don't have a Saturday game or two a year where a Todd Day, Lee Mayberry, etc aren't honored. Shoot, at least have a bobble head or something.

Exactly!

[nextlevel]

I wish they would hire him as an assistant. I think he would be awesome in kids living rooms especially in Memphis.

He was coaching HS ball in Memphis last I heard.

[ErieHog]

I just like the idea of keeping connected with those players that built this program.

Every time I'm at a Hog football game, we're honoring someone.

We have a lot of great basketball players that have worn a Razorback uniform and yet we never seem to recognize their contributions in a public way.

And Todd Day was awesome!  Not much of a pugilist, but a talented ball player and fearless competitor. 

Statistically, there is little argument that he is the greatest Razorback to ever play for the Hogs.

Personality wise,  he was never beloved like his teammates.

[Boston RedHogs]

Statistically, there is little argument that he is the greatest Razorback to ever play for the Hogs.

Personality wise,  he was never beloved like his teammates.

Agree 100%

[Bam, Alright Now]

Statistically, there is little argument that he is the greatest Razorback to ever play for the Hogs.

Personality wise,  he was never beloved like his teammates.

I was a kid when he was on the hill, any stories about his personality?

[jimmur74]

I was a kid when he was on the hill, any stories about his personality?

Let's just say He was very sure of himself. He was cocky but he could shoot the lights out. Oh what I'd give for him right now. He and Mayberry were insane. The run we made on North Carolina in the sweet 16 in Dallas their soph year was incredible. Like 3 3's in a row like within 25 or 30 seconds. I wish someone had that highlight. James Brown was calling the game for CBS at reunion arena

[ErieHog]

I was a kid when he was on the hill, any stories about his personality?

You'll find people will often describe him as distant, aloof, and often not the fan-friendliest guy.

I think they're giving him a bit of a bad shake.  To me, he was always more moody-- I remember him being very fan friendly on more than one occasion,  and a nice guy the few times I encountered him personally, but it isn't unusual for a Day story to be told where someone was collecting autographs, and had everyone on the team but Day's,  and another player taking it to Todd, and telling him to sign,  when Day might have responded negatively to an initial autograph request.

Still the greatest player to ever put on the uniform, though.  I always think  'those championship Razorbacks were so great, and Alvin,  Sidney, Brewer, and Moncrief were great',  but Day was hands down the best. 

[AcePigtura]

I still think that the Day, Mayberry, Oliver Miller group (88-91) was one of the best teams of the last 25-30 years in college hoops to not get a title. But man, that was the heyday of UNLV, and Duke was on top as well. Solid days for college hoops.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

If instate recruiting holds serve and K.J. Hill, KeVaughn Allen, Adrian Moore, Malik Monk are additions to this team in the near future then that team could pose a serious challenge to those late 80's - early 90's squads.

[jlhogfan]

Great post.  I remember the May-Day days.  They were a great duo in college b-ball.  Day is one of the Razorback greats.  For some reason, every time somebody mentions Day, I get that picture in my head of when he tried to take a swing a Larry Johnson (I think it was him) from about 8 feet away.  It was one of those, "I am going to swing, but I hope I don't hit you kind of things".  It was kind of funny. 

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Let's just say He was very sure of himself. He was cocky but he could shoot the lights out. Oh what I'd give for him right now. He and Mayberry were insane. The run we made on North Carolina in the sweet 16 in Dallas their soph year was incredible. Like 3 3's in a row like within 25 or 30 seconds. I wish someone had that highlight. James Brown was calling the game for CBS at reunion arena

I've had the pleasure of meeting Todd and talking to him here in Memphis.  I can't say I "know" him, but I spent about ten minutes talking to him at halftime of a high school football game a couple of years ago.  He was very polite, looked great (looked like he could still play for the Hogs), and is very invested in a private charter school where he coaches and is an administrator.  I think he has matured a lot since his time on the Hill, and he said he has nothing but great memories from his time as a Hog and will always be a staunch supporter of the program. 

It takes some kids longer than others to mature.  I know as I look back that I wasn't nearly as mature during my college years as some of my friends.  Todd was incredibly talented but still immature during his college years.  Today he's doing very well and we should all be proud of that.

[Pulled(PP)pork]

while in attendance for the Auburn game, my wife, stepdaughter and her bff went to BWW and watched the hogs.  Of course, Scotty Thurman was there and very engaging with the fans.  another one of the greats


PP

[Science Fiction Greg]

Let's just say He was very sure of himself. He was cocky but he could shoot the lights out. Oh what I'd give for him right now. He and Mayberry were insane. The run we made on North Carolina in the sweet 16 in Dallas their soph year was incredible. Like 3 3's in a row like within 25 or 30 seconds. I wish someone had that highlight. James Brown was calling the game for CBS at reunion arena

enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeeoaQ1JDxw

[Boston RedHogs]

Thanks for posting that link.  That was a good game!  I remember exactly where I was when I watched that game.

Day's "leaner in the lane" was lethal.....sorry for the alliteration.

[MikePiazza]

I have never understood this. We have had enough former greats that it is crazy to me that we don't have a Saturday game or two a year where a Todd Day, Lee Mayberry, etc aren't honored. Shoot, at least have a bobble head or something.

There will be this year, on Feb. 15 against LSU.

They're honoring all the Final Four teams and Day's 1989-90 team that went 30-5 and made it to Denver will be honored.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Thanks for posting that link.  That was a good game!  I remember exactly where I was when I watched that game.

Day's "leaner in the lane" was lethal.....sorry for the alliteration.

Me too.  I had just returned from a ski trip and was at Slick Willy's in Little Rock with a group of friends.  The place was packed and for two hours it was nothing but screaming and Hog Calling.  That might have been the most complete ballgame the MayDay era Hogs ever played.

[Rocket23]

In Little Rock at Philander Smith in a tournament involving Blytheville, Estem, and one other school.  His team is Memphis  Health and Science.

[1highhog]

You'll find people will often describe him as distant, aloof, and often not the fan-friendliest guy.

I think they're giving him a bit of a bad shake.  To me, he was always more moody-- I remember him being very fan friendly on more than one occasion,  and a nice guy the few times I encountered him personally, but it isn't unusual for a Day story to be told where someone was collecting autographs, and had everyone on the team but Day's,  and another player taking it to Todd, and telling him to sign,  when Day might have responded negatively to an initial autograph request.

Still the greatest player to ever put on the uniform, though.  I always think  'those championship Razorbacks were so great, and Alvin,  Sidney, Brewer, and Moncrief were great',  but Day was hands down the best. 

You guys are puffing on reefers if you think Todd Day was the best Razorback ever, holy jeebus!  Day had his moments, and could at times take over a game (offensively), and then couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.  Moncrief was and still is the best player that ever played College at Arkansas.  If not for the 3-point line remember, Day wouldn't be holding the most points scored by a Razorback.  Moncrief could do it all, on both ends of the floor, he could take on much more taller and physical ball players, he took on the best the NBA had to offer, he won the defensive player of the year award in 1983 and 1984.  Among Moncrief's admirers was All-Star Michael Jordan who once described his on-court intensity to an L.A. Times reporter: "When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it."

[ErieHog]

You guys are puffing on reefers if you think Todd Day was the best Razorback ever, holy jeebus!  Day had his moments, and could at times take over a game (offensively), and then couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.  Moncrief was and still is the best player that ever played College at Arkansas.  If not for the 3-point line remember, Day wouldn't be holding the most points scored by a Razorback.  Moncrief could do it all, on both ends of the floor, he could take on much more taller and physical ball players, he took on the best the NBA had to offer, he won the defensive player of the year award in 1983 and 1984.  Among Moncrief's admirers was All-Star Michael Jordan who once described his on-court intensity to an L.A. Times reporter: "When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it."

No, it really isn't.

One player left the program as the all time leading scorer, a top 4 leader in rebounding, and a top 5 guy in assists, and 2nd overall in steals, and was 3rd all time in blocks when he left (11th now).  One guy still holds about 20 individual Razorback records, to this day.

It isn't about what you did as a pro-- it is about what you did as a Razorback-- and there is absolutely no question that Day was a better Razorback, if not as popular as others.

[1highhog]

No, it really isn't.

One player left the program as the all time leading scorer, a top 4 leader in rebounding, and a top 5 guy in assists, and 2nd overall in steals, and was 3rd all time in blocks when he left (11th now).  One guy still holds about 20 individual Razorback records, to this day.

It isn't about what you did as a pro-- it is about what you did as a Razorback-- and there is absolutely no question that Day was a better Razorback, if not as popular as others.

Erie, are you not forgetting something?  Sidney played in the day of no shot clock, they could hold the ball all day long and just spread the floor, that's the way the game was played.  If it wasn't played like that, there is no doubt Sidney would have easily outdistanced Todd in steals, assists, not in blocks because Todd was a lot taller than Sidney, but you get the point.  You're comparing a model T type game to a Ferrari in the 40 minutes of hell Todd played in.

So when comparing that, Sidney, Sir Sid, Sid the Squid is easily the best player ever and the one I'd build my team around.

[ErieHog]

Erie, are you not forgetting something?  Sidney played in the day of no shot clock, they could hold the ball all day long and just spread the floor, that's the way the game was played.  If it wasn't played like that, there is no doubt Sidney would have easily outdistanced Todd in steals, assists, not in blocks because Todd was a lot taller than Sidney, but you get the point.  You're comparing a model T type game to a Ferrari in the 40 minutes of hell Todd played in.

So when comparing that, Sidney, Sir Sid, Sid the Squid is easily the best player ever and the one I'd build my team around.

I don't forget.  Sidney was great--- and a much much much better pro-- but nowhere near Day as  Hog.      Day's lack of a good relationship with the fan base is the only reason anyone attempts to make an argument for anyone else.

[MemphisBossHog]

enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeeoaQ1JDxw

that was so much fun watching that.  I want those who are on here to watch that and then watch the present day Hogs.  We are making strides but the present day players are no where near the "basketball players" that Nolan had on that team.  Look at how smooth they were. Look at how they did not get rattled. Look at how they moved effortlessly and were in control of a game against a perennial power, UNC.

They whipped the living daylights out of UNC by 23 pts in the NCAA tournament.  Seeing that almost brings a tear to the eye and shows us what we are trying to get to.  I know rules have changed and we cant play the type of defense that Nolan could play back then. (handchecking and such).  But those guys were studs.  Lenzie Howell, Truck Bowers, TDay, the Big O.  Simply thoroughbred studs back then.  Mike A is trying to build it back, but it will take time. 

Thanks Corndog for that. 

[MemphisBossHog]

Great post.  I remember the May-Day days.  They were a great duo in college b-ball.  Day is one of the Razorback greats.  For some reason, every time somebody mentions Day, I get that picture in my head of when he tried to take a swing a Larry Johnson (I think it was him) from about 8 feet away.  It was one of those, "I am going to swing, but I hope I don't hit you kind of things".  It was kind of funny.

That was the game where Larry Johnson told Nolan he better go get some "men" to play for him against UNLV.  As a poster has already mentioned, it was too bad that the MayDay teams had to come along at the same time as maybe the greatest college team in history--the Runnin Rebs-- and then Punk Laettner his Blue Devils were having their runs.   Arkansas is almost an afterthought because of the Runnin Rebels of 1990 and then the Dookies in 1991 knocking them off. Its too bad.  Those Arkansas teams of that era were really freakin good.

[Science Fiction Greg]

Always thought the 91 team was better than the 90 team.

[1highhog]

I don't forget.  Sidney was great--- and a much much much better pro-- but nowhere near Day as  Hog.      Day's lack of a good relationship with the fan base is the only reason anyone attempts to make an argument for anyone else.

Erie, I loved Day, so that dog won't hunt.  I'm just giving you that it's more a difference in the style of play both players played in than anything.  Sidney played in a slowdown game that if they wanted to they could score in the low 30's if they wanted to, and sometimes did.  Day and Company played in and in your face uptempo game that had plenty of chances to score in the 100's, and done so plenty of times.  In other words, giving Day the opportunity to rack up points(3-point line as well) rebounds, assists, steals, etc.  just a different viewpoint my friend.

[ErieHog]

Erie, I loved Day, so that dog won't hunt.  I'm just giving you that it's more a difference in the style of play both players played in than anything.  Sidney played in a slowdown game that if they wanted to they could score in the low 30's if they wanted to, and sometimes did.  Day and Company played in and in your face uptempo game that had plenty of chances to score in the 100's, and done so plenty of times.  In other words, giving Day the opportunity to rack up points(3-point line as well) rebounds, assists, steals, etc.  just a different viewpoint my friend.

They still rebounded the basketball the same way, still recorded steals and blocks the same way.

The only difference is that one is beloved, and the other is called a product of the system.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Interesting, Erie and highhog, that neither of you are mentioning Corliss in the debate of greatest Hog ever.  He did, after all, lead us to our lone national championship in '94 and was college basketball's player of the year.

[ErieHog]

Interesting, Erie and highhog, that neither of you are mentioning Corliss in the debate of greatest Hog ever.  He did, after all, lead us to our lone national championship in '94 and was college basketball's player of the year.

Great, great player.  Probably our second best ever.   I'd argue he was our best offensive player, overall, ahead of Day--  but Day was a much better defender.

[Marshfieldhog]

I Would could argue that 91 team was the best we ever had as far as pure talent. They blew most teams away but had a 2nd half meltdown against Kansas in the Elite 8 game after being up double digits at the half.

[1highhog]

Great, great player.  Probably our second best ever.   I'd argue he was our best offensive player, overall, ahead of Day--  but Day was a much better defender.

Great player indeed!  He would be behind Sidney as the 2nd player I'd pick to build my College Razorback dream team around.

[Smithian]

I have never understood this. We have had enough former greats that it is crazy to me that we don't have a Saturday game or two a year where a Todd Day, Lee Mayberry, etc aren't honored. Shoot, at least have a bobble head or something.

I think that may work with Corliss Williamson but a lot of Razorback fans wouldn't know most players from 20+ years ago for a bobble head.

[jamie72921]

I realize that Day had a better "game" career, but he used to get abused William Mills in the Hyper routinely.

I would have to say that Joe Johnson was the most talented guy to don a Hog uniform if wasn't Mills.

[McKdaddy]

I like to think of myself as the biggest Todd Day fan in the history of Todd Day fandom, ha. Having said that, my 2 cents as to the greatest hoops Hog, is Super Sid.

[Masshog]

Met Todd briefly twice...  A very nice friendly young man.  I've always thought he got a bad shake.   

[McKdaddy]

Met Todd briefly twice...  A very nice friendly young man.  I've always thought he got a bad shake.   

We always stayed at the team hotel -- The Summit (sp?) -- for the SWC tournaments during Day's 3-years of SWC play (1988-89, 90, & 91), and he was always friendly to me when signing stuff for me (I was 14-16 yrs old during that stretch).

[texhog]

Day was great but super Sid was better.

[Overtheroadtruckdriver]

Anyone who says day was a better player than moncrief probably isn't old enough to remember actually watching Moncrief.  He was great as a junior and unreal as a senior, and was a great pro for several years.  And I would put Corliss ahead of day as well. 

[ErieHog]

Anyone who says day was a better player than moncrief probably isn't old enough to remember actually watching Moncrief.  He was great as a junior and unreal as a senior, and was a great pro for several years.  And I would put Corliss ahead of day as well. 

Untrue;  saying Day was better doesn't demean  Moncreif, or anyone else.   The numbers don't lie;  it is Day, and it isn't even remotely close.   

[secfan30]

Untrue;  saying Day was better doesn't demean  Moncreif, or anyone else.   The numbers don't lie;  it is Day, and it isn't even remotely close.   

I remember Moncrief in the pros as a 2 time NBA Defensive player of the year and I remember Day killing it as a Hog. In Reality both were amazing players and helped us reach the final 4. I'm glad I am old enough to have seen them both play at some point in their career.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Anyone who says day was a better player than moncrief probably isn't old enough to remember actually watching Moncrief.  He was great as a junior and unreal as a senior, and was a great pro for several years.  And I would put Corliss ahead of day as well.

One thing Day never had to do as a Hog was carry the team on his back.  He always had Mayberry (Mr. Consistency), Oliver Miller and someone like Lenzie Howell or Truck Bowers to share the load.   Moncrief's senior year was, as you said, unreal.  It was Sid and a bunch of young 'uns, and he literally strapped them all on his back and carried them all the way to 0.5 seconds from a Final Four (damn you, Bob Heaton!!).  That will always stick with me as probably the best season a Razorback ever had.  Perhaps not from a statistical standpoint, Erie, but from a leadership standpoint for sure. 

And as a couple of others have said, playing Hawgball for Nolan Richardson will do a lot more for your stats than playing "20 passes before a shot" ball for Eddie Sutton.  We played (and won) a lot of games in the 40s and 50s with Eddie pulling the reigns on his guys.

[McKdaddy]

And as a couple of others have said, playing Hawgball for Nolan Richardson will do a lot more for your stats than playing "20 passes before a shot" ball for Eddie Sutton.  We played (and won) a lot of games in the 40s and 50s with Eddie pulling the reigns on his guys.

[Boston RedHogs]

One thing Day never had to do as a Hog was carry the team on his back.  He always had Mayberry (Mr. Consistency), Oliver Miller and someone like Lenzie Howell or Truck Bowers to share the load.   Moncrief's senior year was, as you said, unreal.  It was Sid and a bunch of young 'uns, and he literally strapped them all on his back and carried them all the way to 0.5 seconds from a Final Four (damn you, Bob Heaton!!).  That will always stick with me as probably the best season a Razorback ever had.  Perhaps not from a statistical standpoint, Erie, but from a leadership standpoint for sure. 

And as a couple of others have said, playing Hawgball for Nolan Richardson will do a lot more for your stats than playing "20 passes before a shot" ball for Eddie Sutton.  We played (and won) a lot of games in the 40s and 50s with Eddie pulling the reigns on his guys.

True.  But I could flip your argument on its head and say that if Day had less help, he would have had to carry more of the load as Moncrief did, thus doing more for his stats.

Both were great players. Proud as hell they were both Hogs and each helped us to a Final Four!!

[McKdaddy]

Both were great players. Proud as hell they were both Hogs and each helped us to a Final Four!!

No doubt

[Dominicanhog]

Untrue;  saying Day was better doesn't demean  Moncreif, or anyone else.   The numbers don't lie;  it is Day, and it isn't even remotely close.

Your right it's not to demean anyone, they were all great Razorbacks... Todd was a great offensive player, but it's not even close as to who is the greatest Razorback of all time, all sports, the only other one even close is Mike Conley and a distant 3rd is Dmac .... Sidney was and still is the greatest Razorback of all time.

[ErieHog]

Your right it's not to demean anyone, they were all great Razorbacks... Todd was a great offensive player, but it's not even close as to who is the greatest Razorback of all time, all sports, the only other one even close is Mike Conley and a distant 3rd is Dmac .... Sidney was and still is the greatest Razorback of all time.

Sid is barely in the Top 3 in basketball conversation, let alone all sports.