Bobby Portis is top 20 NBA prospect by all the experts

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Madden, Harris are only seniors. Portis leaving early will be likely how CMA gets his 3rd schlorship.

[intelligence]

Madden, Harris are only seniors. Portis leaving early will be likely how CMA gets his 3rd schlorship.

he'll likely have 4 to replace, unless Qualls and Portis decide to stay. A blind man can see that the best player on our team is a 6'6 guard from Shreveport, but the razorback red seems to blind many to his existence, and status as the unquestioned team leader.

[poloprince]

We may only have two available though. Qualls is more likely to leave than Portis.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

We may only have two available though. Qualls is more likely to leave than Portis.

Portis is 17th overall and Qualls is 51st overall by websites

[sadhogfan]

he'll likely have 4 to replace, unless Qualls and Portis decide to stay. A blind man can see that the best player on our team is a 6'6 guard from Shreveport, but the razorback red seems to blind many to his existence, and status as the unquestioned team leader.

You think it's clear that Qualls is the best player on our team and the unquestioned team leader?

And this is based on what, exactly?

[TheRazorbackGuy]

You think it's clear that Qualls is the best player on our team and the unquestioned team leader?

And this is based on what, exactly?

Portis is the best player and Ky Madden might be the team leader

[sadhogfan]

Portis is the best player and Ky Madden might be the team leader

I agree, hence my befuddlement at the suggestion that Qualls was both!

[Adam Stokes]

If Qualls plays all of next year like he did in non-conference he will be without a doubt the best player on the team.  Just seemed like unless it was the last minute of a game that he hit a wall once conference play started.  I think a lot of people are underrating Qualls all-around game.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

If Qualls plays all of next year like he did in non-conference he will be without a doubt the best player on the team.  Just seemed like unless it was the last minute of a game that he hit a wall once conference play started.  I think a lot of people are underrating Qualls all-around game.

Okay Adam, I watched the games and know Portis is more talented.

[Pancetta]

Qualls problem is where does he project to play at the next level? A 6'5" shooting guard that is a 35% 3 pt shooter and 43% overall shooter hitting 68% from the line who has trouble handling in traffic.  He does some really good things for us but in the NBA you have to be great at a lot of things or one of the best of the best at one thing(shot blocking, 3pt shooting, dribbling/passing etc). He has to greatly improve at several things to ever be a solid rotational player in the NBA. This isn't a knock on Qialls. Some of the greatest Razorbacks didn't project well into the NBA. It's a league of genetic mutants with 6'10" guys who can handle and shoot from outside.
Portis instantly gets a leg up b/c he is 6'11" 240 lbs and can move. If Portis can shoot 35% from 3 he'll be in great demand in the NBA.

[bulldog04]

Qualls problem is where does he project to play at the next level? A 6'5" shooting guard that is a 35% 3 pt shooter and 43% overall shooter hitting 68% from the line who has trouble handling in traffic.  He does some really good things for us but in the NBA you have to be great at a lot of things or one of the best of the best at one thing(shot blocking, 3pt shooting, dribbling/passing etc). He has to greatly improve at several things to ever be a solid rotational player in the NBA. This isn't a knock on Qialls. Some of the greatest Razorbacks didn't project well into the NBA. It's a league of genetic mutants with 6'10" guys who can handle and shoot from outside.
Portis instantly gets a leg up b/c he is 6'11" 240 lbs and can move. If Portis can shoot 35% from 3 he'll be in great demand in the NBA.

^this

[Big Nasty 34]

If Qualls is the definite best player on our team then we will be a legit squad. Ready to see how much Portis has improved because we all know he worked his rear off this off season. And if madden has a year like last...

[intelligence]

I agree, hence my befuddlement at the suggestion that Qualls was both!

.I watched every game last season, and i feel very strongly that Qualls is the best player on the Team. Bobby, projects better to the NBA true, i'll give you that, and he is a definite leader on this team as well. Ky madden is also a leader on this team. Having said this, no one brings the intensity and vocal leadership that Qualls brings.

at Vanderbilt, Qualls scored 8 points on 3 straight possessions. he also nailed a 3 despite being double teamed to win the game.

We all remember the dunk, and his highlight reels, but watch the replays  of our games last season. Qualls was  a large part of our success last season. He's really the only guy we have who can get on a hot streak shooting and become unstoppable.

at Kentucky, Qualls stole 2 passes and finished in transition early in the game. two plays prior, he hit a step back jumper at the top of the key over poythress. prior to that on the opening play of the game, he came flying off the base line for a tip in that was eerily reminiscent of the dunk that sealed Kentucky's fate in fayetteville. 8 straight points, all in a row, by one single player. This surge inspired our team, and lead to our victory. Without qualls making that statement, who else will? Portis? Madden? Do either have the ability to take over a game like that?

In my opinion, when the game is on the line you put the ball in Qualls hands, making him the defacto team leader.

FWIW, i am counting on Bell too make his presence known this season as well.

[poloprince]

Portis went for 35 against Bama when no one else seemed to make a basket.

[bigredone]

This is great because of the fact it can be debated. Having all three of these young men should make us all happy.

[Jerrajo]

Fighting over who the best player on the team is a good problem to have. I watch every game religiously. And I know what you mean about Quails ability to take over a game. But I have seen games where Madden took over a while and games where Portis took over for a while. Its the beauty of what Mikes offense does. I hope we can get both Portis and Quails to stay another year. I want to see what this team is like with them and this kid from Missouri who can really ball.

[mhuff]

Qualls problem is where does he project to play at the next level? A 6'5" shooting guard that is a 35% 3 pt shooter and 43% overall shooter hitting 68% from the line who has trouble handling in traffic.  He does some really good things for us but in the NBA you have to be great at a lot of things or one of the best of the best at one thing(shot blocking, 3pt shooting, dribbling/passing etc). He has to greatly improve at several things to ever be a solid rotational player in the NBA. This isn't a knock on Qialls. Some of the greatest Razorbacks didn't project well into the NBA. It's a league of genetic mutants with 6'10" guys who can handle and shoot from outside.
Portis instantly gets a leg up b/c he is 6'11" 240 lbs and can move. If Portis can shoot 35% from 3 he'll be in great demand in the NBA.

Well I agree with most. However, Portis is gonna have to come on with the 3p %. I think he shot like 28% this past year. Well 29%.

Whenever you say .... so and so is the best player, you have to look at the numbers. Kingsley was the best player per minute played and Portis was probably second. Naturally most of the time their shots are closer and therefore reflect the two highest shooting percentages. I would think though to compare players you would have to compare apples to apples. Look at each player by position. Otherwise, you gotta go just by numbers. The numbers don't lie.

[intelligence]

This is great because of the fact it can be debated. Having all three of these young men should make us all happy.

Amen to that.

[intelligence]

Portis went for 35 against Bama when no one else seemed to make a basket.

True

[mhuff]

Portis went for 35 against Bama when no one else seemed to make a basket.

Man I think it was fantastic he scored that many..... record for a freshman as well as the # of rebounds for the season. Still whether it is he or Bell, we can't just go by one game. We have to look at the big picture. The numbers don't lie. Otherwise, one is dealing with emotion rather than fact.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Man I think it was fantastic he scored that many..... record for a freshman as well as the # of rebounds for the season. Still whether it is he or Bell, we can't just go by one game. We have to look at the big picture. The numbers don't lie. Otherwise, one is dealing with emotion rather than fact.

Portis will be a lottery pick after this season

[mbgrulz]

He's really the only guy we have who can get on a hot streak shooting and become unstoppable.

So...you watched every game? In all those games, Did you ever happen upon a guy who wore #5? Did you ever see him get on a hot streak?

[mhuff]

Portis will be a lottery pick after this season

Sure looks that way.

[intelligence]

So...you watched every game? In all those games, Did you ever happen upon a guy who wore #5? Did you ever see him get on a hot streak?

Indeed i did. I'd be cautious to put the game changer label on bell though. Portis, Qualls, Madden, sure. Bell, i don't know. Depends on how consistent he is this season. If he gives us 10ppg this year then maybe you could make that argument about him.

[mbgrulz]

Indeed i did. I'd be cautious to put the game changer label on bell though. Portis, Qualls, Madden, sure. Bell, i don't know. Depends on how consistent he is this season. If he gives us 10ppg this year then maybe you could make that argument about him.

You said the only player who could get on a hot streak was Qualls...That is obviously what I was referring to and obviously wrong. Never did the words "game changer" cross my mind.

You do know that Bell was only 1 ppg shy of averaging 10 ppg last year right? So basically he's 1 made FT per game away from being a game changer?

[mhuff]

You said the only player who could get on a hot streak was Qualls...That is obviously what I was referring to and obviously wrong. Never did the words "game changer" cross my mind.

You do know that Bell was only 1 ppg shy of averaging 10 ppg last year right? So basically he's 1 made FT per game away from being a game changer?

Look I was a Bell fan..... But someone who shoots like 36% from the field isn't going to hold my attention long. He will shoot you in the game or out of the game. I still believe we have guards coming in that will earn more shots than he. I also think if we try to live by the 3 , we will die by the 3. We have the people to work inside now. Our PF will not be dwarfed by every team in the league. I submit we have been working on an inside game all summer.

[TomBigBeeHog]

We have the people to work inside now. Our PF will not be dwarfed by every team in the league. I submit we have been working on an inside game all summer.

who are you relying on as our people doing work inside? other than Portis and Kingsley?

[ErieHog]

Qualls is a nice player, with some severe limitations on his game.    He's not the best Hog; he has no true NBA position, and will be back again next year.

If he is our end of game closer, we have a lot of issues.  The ball belongs in the hands of Portis and Madden in those situations.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Qualls is a nice player, with some severe limitations on his game.    He's not the best Hog; he has no true NBA position, and will be back again next year.

If he is our end of game closer, we have a lot of issues.  The ball belongs in the hands of Portis and Madden in those situations.

I agree with you about the limitations but I don't think he will be back next year. No inside info, just a gut feeling.

[Adam Stokes]

Qualls is a nice player, with some severe limitations on his game.    He's not the best Hog; he has no true NBA position, and will be back again next year.

If he is our end of game closer, we have a lot of issues.  The ball belongs in the hands of Portis and Madden in those situations.

I think a lot of people forget that Qualls was listed by some mock sites as being a lottery/mid-first rounder right before SEC-play started up.  His mid-range was great during that stretch.  Bobby is being listed as such this year but might not've cracked the first round had he declared early.  Yall don't be sleeping on Qualls now, he isn't as far behind Bobby as most like to think.

[mhuff]

who are you relying on as our people doing work inside? other than Portis and Kingsley?

I believe Thompson is going to be better than anticipated.... just like I said Kingsley will be better than anticipated last year. I just want Thompson to be more aggressive. He should be going to the school of hard knocks having to practice with and against Portis and Kingsley. I would like to see him become more offensive minded and play good defense without cheap fouls from putting his hands on people.

[mhuff]

I think a lot of people forget that Qualls was listed by some mock sites as being a lottery/mid-first rounder right before SEC-play started up.  His mid-range was great during that stretch.  Bobby is being listed as such this year but might not've cracked the first round had he declared early.  Yall don't be sleeping on Qualls now, he isn't as far behind Bobby as most like to think.

Numbers don't lie... what do they say? Ball handling, TO's , and overall shooting % need to improve. He also has to be more of a scorer if big things are ahead for him. I think  he will need 4 years to have a chance. You can only improve so fast. Here's to hoping he does. With what we have, I still want a big time scoring SF.

Check out Team Stats on site below.

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/sport/m-baskbl/roster/#/

[TheRazorbackGuy]

I believe Thompson is going to be better than anticipated.... just like I said Kingsley will be better than anticipated last year. I just want Thompson to be more aggressive. He should be going to the school of hard knocks having to practice with and against Portis and Kingsley. I would like to see him become more offensive minded and play good defense without cheap fouls from putting his hands on people.

I agree Thompson will be a solid big man

[Toby]

Bobby Portis will have a big year!

[TheRazorbackGuy]

I would say the likelyhood of Portis staying is at 10%

[toshortrock]

i hope Portis stays another year,,,

[Hawg414]

.I watched every game last season, and i feel very strongly that Qualls is the best player on the Team. Bobby, projects better to the NBA true, i'll give you that, and he is a definite leader on this team as well. Ky madden is also a leader on this team. Having said this, no one brings the intensity and vocal leadership that Qualls brings.

at Vanderbilt, Qualls scored 8 points on 3 straight possessions. he also nailed a 3 despite being double teamed to win the game.

We all remember the dunk, and his highlight reels, but watch the replays  of our games last season. Qualls was  a large part of our success last season. He's really the only guy we have who can get on a hot streak shooting and become unstoppable.

at Kentucky, Qualls stole 2 passes and finished in transition early in the game. two plays prior, he hit a step back jumper at the top of the key over poythress. prior to that on the opening play of the game, he came flying off the base line for a tip in that was eerily reminiscent of the dunk that sealed Kentucky's fate in fayetteville. 8 straight points, all in a row, by one single player. This surge inspired our team, and lead to our victory. Without qualls making that statement, who else will? Portis? Madden? Do either have the ability to take over a game like that?

In my opinion, when the game is on the line you put the ball in Qualls hands, making him the defacto team leader.

FWIW, i am counting on Bell too make his presence known this season as well.

if 8 points early in the game gets you that excited... man, you woulda loved al dillards 16 points in just over a minute at memphis.  i think it was memphis anyway.

[ballz2thewall]

If Qualls plays all of next year like he did in non-conference he will be without a doubt the best player on the team.  Just seemed like unless it was the last minute of a game that he hit a wall once conference play started.  I think a lot of people are underrating Qualls all-around game.

i don't think anyone underrates qualls abilities at all.  the large gap in play is what is obviously holding back the amens on best player team leader status.

surely there's no debate about this??

[bigred223]

Here's what I think about Qualls. When he is good, our team is usually good as well. When he is off, we tend to struggle. If Qualls is consistent this year, then I assume we will be a pretty tough team to beat.

I don't think there is any question that Portis is the best NBA prospect on the team. As several posters have mentioned above, Qualls has a lot of areas to improve on before he can seriously entertain the idea of playing in the NBA. However, if Qualls plays well enough to be a shoe in pick in the draft, then that probably will mean we had a heck of a year.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Here's what I think about Qualls. When he is good, our team is usually good as well. When he is off, we tend to struggle. If Qualls is consistent this year, then I assume we will be a pretty tough team to beat.

I don't think there is any question that Portis is the best NBA prospect on the team. As several posters have mentioned above, Qualls has a lot of areas to improve on before he can seriously entertain the idea of playing in the NBA. However, if Qualls plays well enough to be a shoe in pick in the draft, then that probably will mean we had a heck of a year.

I agree but Portis will be in the NBA this time next season.

[Dominicanhog]

i hope Portis stays another year,,,

me too, but would you if you were a lottery pick?  IMO, he doesn't really have a choice to make if he is as good as expected.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

I would love for Portis to go to the Denver Nuggets