Best Forgotten Razorbacks

[bruisemeister]

Responding to a post made me remember one of my favorite Razorbacks ever, Keith Hilliard. He was a JC all-american that Eddie Sutton had to fill the one year void in between Sidney Moncrief and Darrell Walker. He averaged something like 26 points in JC ball. His nickname was something like the Snake. It became apparent when he played the reason why. I have not seen anyone before or since that could dribble the way he did. The Hogs never had trouble with the full court press that year because of him. He would literally dribble through a press like a snake slithering on the ground. He was that quick. Unfortunately thats all he could do. I have no idea how he averaged 26 a game in JC ball. He hardly ever shot it. He did make one memorable shot. He hit a buzzer shot to take Houston into overtime but thats about it. I don't know the behind the scenes stuff at the U of A. Walker joining the team for the 1980-81 season spelled the end to his career as a starter for the Hogs. However, I never understood why they didn't keep him around in case they faced a brutal press. If anyone remembers the 1978 final four run, 2nd half presses by UCLA and Cal-St Fullerton turned double digit Hog leads into deficits. The team was lucky to pull those games off. I guess its like having a baseball player who is only good at stealing bases or bunting. Those skills can come in handy but only in rare situations. Anyhow, who are some of your forgotten Razorbacks?

[TomBigBeeHog]

Phillip Mckellar

[bruisemeister]

Phillip Mckellar

Good one. He along with Ron Huery were supposed to bring the Hogs back to glory. He was a key player in Nolan's 2nd season. Hes gone halfway through the next year. I guess it was because Todd Day was on the team and he basically played the same position. I wished he would have stayed. Huery went from being the team's star to the bench but contributed as the team's super 6th man for that 1990 final 4 team and 1991 great 8 team. Who knows, McKellar's presence could have made the difference for two straight national titles.

[TomBigBeeHog]

McKellar was silky smooth and could stroke it from deep.  I expected him to become a key player for us and then, Elbert Crawford happened. Phil was made for our style of play.

[ArkansasI]

I always thought Huery was a troubled soul. The guy had amazing skills, but seemed to lack the on-court aggression necessary to be a college star. It was as if he somehow bought into the marketing of the second generation triplets - and accepted a lesser role.

That was a mistake. I thought he was far more gifted than that. At least on par with those guys. Perhaps a better explanation is he preferred partying.

Clint McDaniel remains one of my favorite Hogs. Being a starter on our national championship team may prevent him from being "forgotten", but the popularity of other guys on that team keep him from being mentioned as often.

Lenzie Howell was great.

Brandon Dean could have been better with a better supporting cast.

Loved Roosevelt Wallace's game. Thought he should have played more.

Keith Wilson deserves more attention.

I think Darnell Robinson was a very good player that never allowed his game to mature...  The guy was one af the first players off our bench as a freshman on a national championship team.

We didn't need him to be great when he got to Fayetteville, and he left right when it was time for him to take over the middle. Unless he had grade issues, he left at a strange time. As crazy as this may sound, Darnell's exit was the beginning of a huge fall in Razorback basketball.

Derek Hood and Kareem Reid didn't have the offensive skills that our previous McDonal's All-Americans had. We never looked "right" after our big guys left campus.

Good topic.

[hawkhawg]

I always thought Huery was a troubled soul. The guy had amazing skills, but seemed to lack the on-court aggression necessary to be a college star. It was as if he somehow bought into the marketing of the second generation triplets - and accepted a lesser role. That was a mistake. I thought he was far more gifted than that. At least on par with those guys. Perhaps a better explanation is he preferred

Huery came off the bench but he was in the top five in minutes. He was a good player but not in same class as Day, Mayberry, or big O. And he wasn't going to play ahead of a workhorse like Howell.

[Hawgey-Davidson]

Well ok, here goes, Ray Biggers. Sorry.

[makiavelli]

Chris Walker, walked on and got a scholarship later on didn't he?

[ErieHog]

Say the name Dean Tolson to someone under 40, and watch their eyes glaze over.

Greatest rebounder in program history; still in our Top 5 for PPG scorers as well.  Nearly always omitted from any conversation of the Greatest Razorbacks of All Time,  which is just a shame.

[TomBigBeeHog]

IBM.

Isaiah "Butch" Morris was Robin to the Big O's Batman in the middle for Arkansas in 1991. IBM was a key reserve on a team that averaged 99.6 points per game that year!

He got drafted in the 2nd round by the Miami Heat and played for Chuck Daly and the Pistons in Daly's last year. Morris then finished out his career overseas playing for multiple teams.

I liked this guy, but he never seemed to hit full stride with us. I thought Rosie Wallace was the better post player and would be drafted and play professionally.

To The OP:
if you start a thread about best Hog who should have gotten more minutes, put me down for Roosevelt. I don't know what he did to piss Nolan off but it frustrated the heck out of me.

[dwaller]

Dean Tolson was incredible, which means I'm over 40.  Martin Terry was a great scorer.  Check his stats then remind yourself there was no 3 point line. He was a first round draft pick but got cut.  Those were the old NBA days. Ricky Medlock and Robert Birden were 2 guards that Sutton inherited from Lanny Van Emman.  They both shot 90% from the charity stripe.  When we went into the 4 corner offense, again dating myself, it was game over.  Most people on this site have no idea what went on before Nolan.

[dwaller]

I forgot Almer Lee.  If he had not wrecked his knee, he would have been a great one.

[hvsupastar]

Recent one.  Pookie Modica.  Was a Damn good college player to not ever do anything professionally

[TomBigBeeHog]

Andrew Lang was a defensive force. Offensively? Not so much.  Would have made last year's team into a ncaa tournament team though if we had someone like him.

[ErieHog]

Recent one.  Pookie Modica.  Was a Damn good college player to not ever do anything professionally

Not as recent as one would think.   He's been gone for 8 years!

[chiefhawg]

Dean Tolson was incredible, which means I'm over 40.  Martin Terry was a great scorer.  Check his stats then remind yourself there was no 3 point line. He was a first round draft pick but got cut.  Those were the old NBA days. Ricky Medlock and Robert Birden were 2 guards that Sutton inherited from Lanny Van Emman.  They both shot 90% from the charity stripe.  When we went into the 4 corner offense, again dating myself, it was game over.  Most people on this site have no idea what went on before Nolan.

Dean Tolson was an incredible player and person. But we were in the old SWC when Dean began his journey. That being said. Read this article.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Ex-Sonic-Tolson-makes-most-of-second-chance-1245178.php

He overcame some great odds, with the help of the University, Frank Broyles in particular to be a success story.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

William Mills!!!

[HogBreath]

Daryl Saulsbury and Jack Schulte...Ricky Norton...Robert Shepherd...Brad Friess..Steve Schall....Kenny Hutchinson

[Hogimus Prime]

Darrel Hawkins.  He played with a lot of heart and passion. He was fun to watch. For all of his dunks and steals people forgot how skilled he was.  He played the Lenzie Howell role his Sr. Year.

Roger Crawford. Was only around for 2 years perfect combo guard for Nolan's system.

[bruisemeister]

I always thought Huery was a troubled soul. The guy had amazing skills, but seemed to lack the on-court aggression necessary to be a college star. It was as if he somehow bought into the marketing of the second generation triplets - and accepted a lesser role.

That was a mistake. I thought he was far more gifted than that. At least on par with those guys. Perhaps a better explanation is he preferred partying.

Clint McDaniel remains one of my favorite Hogs. Being a starter on our national championship team may prevent him from being "forgotten", but the popularity of other guys on that team keep him from being mentioned as often.

Lenzie Howell was great.

Brandon Dean could have been better with a better supporting cast.

Loved Roosevelt Wallace's game. Thought he should have played more.

Keith Wilson deserves more attention.

I think Darnell Robinson was a very good player that never allowed his game to mature...  The guy was one af the first players off our bench as a freshman on a national championship team.

We didn't need him to be great when he got to Fayetteville, and he left right when it was time for him to take over the middle. Unless he had grade issues, he left at a strange time. As crazy as this may sound, Darnell's exit was the beginning of a huge fall in Razorback basketball.

Derek Hood and Kareem Reid didn't have the offensive skills that our previous McDonal's All-Americans had. We never looked "right" after our big guys left campus.

Good topic.

I agree with a lot of that. Wilson was the star player for Nolan's first SWC champ in 1989. He was overshadowed due to the three freshmen sensation, Mayberry, Day and Miller.
Hood was the Dennis Rodman of Arkansas. Great rebounder and defensive player. The only problem is that we didn't have a Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen to go along with him. Reid is similar. He would have been great just as a point guard but was forced to create to much due to the lack of offensive talent. The only real scoring threat was Pat Bradley. He was great but not enough.
Wallace was a beast. He work number 34 before Corliss. He was what Dickie V called a Dow Joneser. He was always up and down. He alternated with Isaiah Butch Morris at the power foward spot. Maybe he may have done more if he was full time.
Howell was the Michael Jordan overseas what I heard. A undersized power foward at 6'4. He could have been an Adrian Dantley in the 70's when power fowards were that size.
Dean was spectacular at times. I remember some ESPN guy comparing him to Jordan one night when the Hogs beat Wake Forest. He was another Down Joneser. MVP of the 2000 SEC tourney. A bit undersized for a swingman at 6'2.
McDaniel was the only Hog that showed up in the 1995 National Title game unfortunately. He made some big plays in his career and sat on the bench for a year in the NBA. Not so shabby.
Finally, you are right about Robinson. It was apparent that Hogs needed a little size after almost beating eventual national champ, North Carolina, in 1993. Dean Smith even commented that they were a big man away from winning it all. Darnell and Lee Wilson were the answers. Darnell outplayed Rasheed Wallace in the McDonalds All American game. I remember Dickie V commenting how the the it was the beginning of a star when he went on a scoring tear against Memphis. He even started the Regional Final against Michigan. However, he struggled for the next year and a half. Finally, he woke up after Pate and Sunday were found ineligible. The Hogs went on a run led by 4 freshman and Darnell. They managed to make the sweet 15 after a mediocre season. Darnell was the leader. I think he was on a pace to make All SEC or even more had he stayed. He left and the team only managed the NIT the next year and has not made it past the 2nd round of the NCAA since.

[bruisemeister]

Huery came off the bench but he was in the top five in minutes. He was a good player but not in same class as Day, Mayberry, or big O. And he wasn't going to play ahead of a workhorse like Howell.

I remember reading Huery updates in the newspaper when he was in High School. His nickname was Sir Jamalot. He did not disappoint his first two seasons. He could play both guard positions and foward. In fact, he started at point guard in his first game. He was the star player both years. He was First Team All SWC his sophomore season and led the team to Nolan's first NCAA appearance. Unfortunately, he got in some trouble off the court and missed the next season. By then, a good starting lineup had been established.

[bruisemeister]

Well ok, here goes, Ray Biggers. Sorry.

People forget he got a lot of playing time early in the national championship season when Corliss had some health issues(dont remember if it was illness or injury). He didn't do anything earth shattering but the team didn't lose either. So technically, he did make a contribution to that team.

[bruisemeister]

Darrel Hawkins.  He played with a lot of heart and passion. He was fun to watch. For all of his dunks and steals people forgot how skilled he was.  He played the Lenzie Howell role his Sr. Year.

Roger Crawford. Was only around for 2 years perfect combo guard for Nolan's system.

Both were perfect for Nolan's system. Hawkins played off guard as well. He was a defensive master getting 9 steals in one NCAA game.
Crawford could play point, off guard and small foward. He could do it all and was the inspirational leader for the national championship team after he was injured in the 2nd round.

[bruisemeister]

Chris Walker, walked on and got a scholarship later on didn't he?

It seems like he did. He had a great game in that upset of #2 Auburn in 1999. He started as a reserve point guard and ended up being the starting small foward.

[bruisemeister]

Say the name Dean Tolson to someone under 40, and watch their eyes glaze over.

Greatest rebounder in program history; still in our Top 5 for PPG scorers as well.  Nearly always omitted from any conversation of the Greatest Razorbacks of All Time,  which is just a shame.

I would have loved to see him play. The only picture I ever saw of him was in a Sports Illustrated when he played for the Sonics. His stats were incredible. It seems like it was 20 plus points and 12 rebounds. Thats why I put him on my $15 salary cap team that another poster started.

[bruisemeister]

IBM.

Isaiah "Butch" Morris was Robin to the Big O's Batman in the middle for Arkansas in 1991. IBM was a key reserve on a team that averaged 99.6 points per game that year!

He got drafted in the 2nd round by the Miami Heat and played for Chuck Daly and the Pistons in Daly's last year. Morris then finished out his career overseas playing for multiple teams.

I liked this guy, but he never seemed to hit full stride with us. I thought Rosie Wallace was the better post player and would be drafted and play professionally.

To The OP:
if you start a thread about best Hog who should have gotten more minutes, put me down for Roosevelt. I don't know what he did to piss Nolan off but it frustrated the heck out of me.

I think you answered your own question. Both played the same position so they divided the minutes. IBM was also the backup center to Miller if I am not mistaken. I would love to have one of them right now.

[The_Iceman]

If Alonzo Lane would have been 6'8", he would have been one of the better post players we've had. I think he might have been 6'4"-6'5".

[Cresthog]

Modica without a doubt.

Anyone remember that Miss St game when he hit 6-8 threes in a 2 minutes span or whatever it was?

That was amazing.

[The_Iceman]

Modica without a doubt.

Anyone remember that Miss St game when he hit 6-8 threes in a 2 minutes span or whatever it was?

That was amazing.

Modica is a very underrated Razorback. He and Olu just didn't work well together. Two seasons averaging over 16 ppg is pretty impressive.

[Tankster]

Darrell Hawkins, Robert Shepherd, Mario Credit, Brandon Dean, Teddy Gipson, Kareem Reid, Andrew Lang, Jannero Pargo,

[WizardofhOgZ]

Darrel Hawkins.  He played with a lot of heart and passion. He was fun to watch. For all of his dunks and steals people forgot how skilled he was.  He played the Lenzie Howell role his Sr. Year.

Hawkins and Howell are both among my very favorite Hogs of all time.  Both contributed heart to the team, and had a talent for making non-spectacular but significant plays at key moments of big games.  A defensive rebound . . . a put back . . . a tipped ball on defense.  You need guys like that on a championship level team, along with the Corliss, Lee Mayberry, etc. types.

[Hogimus Prime]

If Alonzo Lane would have been 6'8", he would have been one of the better post players we've had. I think he might have been 6'4"-6'5".

Even though he was really short for post player he was fun to watch.

[Sed76]

Always like Ernie Murray. Walk on who Nolan wasn't afraid to put in the game against the first team of UNLV when they were ranked #1.

[H-O-double g]

two more hadn't seen anybody mention: Arlyn Bowers & Nicky Davis

[Kevin]

Met dean when I was in school. He is a good dude.

[Kevin]

Martin terry the Afro & pork chop side burns make him a legend by themselves. Just to top it off he could really score

[Inhogswetrust]

Daryl Saulsbury and Jack Schulte...Ricky Norton...Robert Shepherd...Brad Friess..Steve Schall....Kenny Hutchinson

Brad is very involved with youth sports at Arkansas Athletes Outreach.

[razorbacker3]

William Mills!!!

Possibly the most naturally talented player we ever had. What he could have done with his head screwed on right. What a waste. So sad.

[The_Iceman]

William Mills!!!

My father describes him as "Jordan-like" talent. Which isn't that far out there because guys like Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, and others have had Jordan-like talent. Its Jordan's competitiveness, leadership, and relentless will-to-win that sets him apart, especially from Lebron.

[cosmodrum]

Recent one.  Pookie Modica.  Was a Damn good college player to not ever do anything professionally

Love Pookie, aka Dr. Modica.

[Razorbackwarrior79]

IBM.

Isaiah "Butch" Morris was Robin to the Big O's Batman in the middle for Arkansas in 1991. IBM was a key reserve on a team that averaged 99.6 points per game that year!

He got drafted in the 2nd round by the Miami Heat and played for Chuck Daly and the Pistons in Daly's last year. Morris then finished out his career overseas playing for multiple teams.

I liked this guy, but he never seemed to hit full stride with us. I thought Rosie Wallace was the better post player and would be drafted and play professionally.

To The OP:
if you start a thread about best Hog who should have gotten more minutes, put me down for Roosevelt. I don't know what he did to piss Nolan off but it frustrated the heck out of me.

Couldn't help but laugh a little thinking about good old rosie. Several years ago I read a hysterical thread on the Kentucky board about Roosevelt Wallace, Butch Morris and Arlen Bowers. The thread was basically about how they never met a flagarant foul they didn't like and it was absolutely hysterical! It was nice to have some enforcers to take care bidness down low.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Couldn't help but laugh a little thinking about good old rosie. Several years ago I read a hysterical thread on the Kentucky board about Roosevelt Wallace, Butch Morris and Arlen Bowers. The thread was basically about how they never met a flagarant foul they didn't like and it was absolutely hysterical! It was nice to have some enforcers to take care bidness down low.

We could use some physical guys like that. Hope we are developing two or three for this year. Anybody you see stepping into that role? Only Alonzo on my radar, maybe Keaton Miles. Hope Bobby and Moses are meaner. We need enforcers.

[razorhogfanatic]

Eric Ferguson? Dionisio Gomez?

[The_Iceman]

Eric Ferguson? Dionisio Gomez?

[thirrdegreetusker]

Sunday Adebayo
Kent Allison
Charles Terry

[Hogimus Prime]

Darian Townes.  I know some will say he never lived up to his potential and that is true, but IMO DT should've started over Steven Hill.  I know Hill was good shotblocker but that was all he was good for.  Townes could score, rebound and block shots. 

[PonderinHog]

Downtown Tony Brown

[ImHogginIt]

Lee Wilson and Darnell Robinson  :razorback: :razorback: :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

Without those two we don't win it all in 1994 or return for the title game in 1995.

/thread 

[Killean]

Jannero Pargo.



I feel like nobody even remembers he was a razorback.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Lee Wilson and Darnell Robinson  :razorback: :razorback: :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

Without those two we don't win it all in 1994 or return for the title game in 1995.

/thread 

I'll give you Wilson.  I remember him doing a lot more of the hard work inside and Robinson hanging out at the 3-point line.

Robinson couldn't make it in the NBA and seemed to stay one year at each club he went to overseas.  His coach in Greece said he was the biggest underachiever he'd ever coached.