Rebs Best Hogs on Hardcourt; Result Surprising, Confusing

by Ivory Tower on Jan 15, 2009 10:27 AM EST Comment 8 comments

Until last night's satisfying, if unexpected, 74-65 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks, I was set to ask the readership how Andy Kennedy's troubles in Cincinatti last month might have been different if they had occurred after Chris Warren's season-ending injury. Nevertheless, a team with only one 2008 starter pulled off an energizing win over the non-conference undefeated 'Backs.

I am fully aware that State defeated Arkansas in Fayetteville last Saturday. I am fully aware that John Pelphrey put together no murderer's row before his SEC slate began. The Cup can also confirm that Andy Kennedy wins consistently and methodically at home but loses frustratingly and confusingly on the road. So, continuing the metaphor of the 2009 basketball mulligan, this is no deep shot on the fairway. It's more like the drop on the other side of the water hazard.

Still, congratulations are in order for the team and for Andy Kennedy, who has "implemented a slightly slower pace since Warren's injury[.]" And, I'll offer no predictions about this game and its effect on the rest of the season, but if, unexpectedly, 18 wins or better are found down the road, where will this rank among Rebel wins in the Andy Kennedy era?

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We still haven't proven that we are a team that can win on the road, and while we have grown accustomed to winning at home under AK you can't overstate how big this win is. I had all but given up on basketball until now. 3 major players lost due to injury before we ever play an conference game? that's enough to fold even the Dukes and UNCs of the world.

For Kennedy to get this team prepared to win (and win convincingly) over a team that has wins over two top 10 Big12 teams is a feather in the cap.

But then again Arkansas probably just sucks due to that emptry cupboard left by Houston Nutt.

by Jack on Jan 15, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jack,

What you just wrote was well informed, relevant, succinct, and clever. Hot damn, boy.

Very well said. Stick around here and comment more often.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jan 15, 2009 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No murderer's row? Didn't they play (and beat) Oklahoma and Texas, both of which are/were top 10 teams?

As for the Rebs, I'm not looking for it to happen. But, if they were able to somehow manage a .500 conference record this season, AK deserves coach of the century.

by ssmund on Jan 15, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

@ssmund- That is true. They also lost to mid-major Missouri State, so they had been exposed before losing to State and Ole Miss.

by Damn You, Bryce Drew on Jan 15, 2009 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Called this game, it's not a surprise. They are overrated hacks.

by The One That Got Away on Jan 15, 2009 12:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Arkansas has proven they don't show up against teams they don't think are near as good as they are. First round upset in march? Bet the bank on it, if they get a top half seed, especially if its a 5.

by Anonymous on Jan 16, 2009 3:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Hogs are a different and much better basketball team since losing to Missouri St. Why do you think they beat OU and Texas?

You can thank Rick Stansbury and his Bulldogs for exsposing this very young squad.
Double teaming Marcus Washington when Fortson is driving to the hole, forcing him to throw up bad, ill-advised shots, is the best way to defend against Arkansas right now.
Once he learns to kick it back out to his 3 pt. shooters more consistantly, it'll be a much different story.

Next season will be the year to watch the Hogs go crazy.

by GonzoHog on Jan 16, 2009 8:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention.
I watched the last 5 to 6 minutes of the Ole Miss vs. Florida matchup, and the no-calls of the refs over that time span was horrible.

Ole Miss seemed to me to be in a position to get back into the game, but watching Huertas get hacked on two consecutive drives,especially the last one, with the Rebels only down by 8, gave me the impression they weren't going to allow that to happen.

I was hoping the Hogs would play well in Gainsville today, as they've done in the past, but if the Rebels/Gators game was any indication of how the game is going to be called, then it probably won't be too good.
Fortson could be toast.

by GonzoHog on Jan 17, 2009 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs