In the lane
Posted on Sunday, February 3, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/215648/
Arkansas ’ defense does trick
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas basketball team, to a man, credited team defense for the Razorbacks’ back-to-back blowouts of ranked teams at Walton Arena, punctuated by Saturday’s 80-61 victory against two-time defending national champion and 20 th-ranked Florida.
The Razorbacks led by as many as 30 points in the rout and held the young Gators to 33-percent shooting. Florida missed its first 13 three-point attempts before Walter Hodge sank a long ball from the right wing with 11: 22 left in the game.
Perhaps the most significant individual matchup in the game pitted Arkansas sophomore Patrick Beverley against Florida freshman Nick Calathes, a great penetrator who is frequently employed like a second point guard. Calathes entered the game averaging 18. 8 points in SEC play, tied for sixth in the conference, and a league-high 6. 8 assists per game.
“Calathes is the engine of the team,” Arkansas’ Sonny Weems said. “Once you take him out, it’s hard for their offense to do anything.”
Arkansas managed to do that Saturday. Calathes had trouble keeping Beverley out of his face, making 3 of 12 shots for 12 points to go along with 7 assists and 4 turnovers.
“He’s a great freshman that has a lot of edge to him,” Beverley said. “You know, he’s one of the top five players in the SEC right now. He’s a great player. One day he’ll be shaking [NBA Commissioner ] David Stern’s hand.” Return of Thomas
Arkansas senior Charles Thomas returned from a onegame suspension and made his first appearance at the 11: 25 mark of the first half. Thomas made his presence felt quickly, sinking a 10-footer from the left baseline at 10: 48, then making two free throws for a 23-10 Arkansas lead at 8: 39.
Thomas also powered in a bucket with his left hand and had a key tip-in with 21 seconds left in the half on his way to eight points.
“C. T. played his butt off today,” Arkansas guard Patrick Beverley said. “He played like Manimal. He’s a great asset to our team when he’s out there.”
Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey suspended Thomas for Wednesday’s 78-58 victory against Mississippi State for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Sneakers, everyone ?
The gym shoes worn by every coach on both the Arkansas and Florida benches were a tribute to the Coaches vs. Cancer awareness campaign, called Suits and Sneakers.
Coaches across the country are wearing the outfits Feb. 1-3 to remind basketball fans about the ways people can reduce their risk of cancer, such as exercising, eating a proper diet, making healthy lifestyle choices and following the American Cancer Society’s recommended cancer screening guidelines. One-shoe drive Speaking of tennis shoes, Arkansas guard Gary Ervin snagged a loose ball after his own missed three-pointer and drove to the goal wearing one shoe and one sock. Ervin drew a foul from Walter Hodge on the first-half play.
Packing Nick A wild chain of events led to one of the day’s most fanfriendly moments. After a missed Arkansas shot, a loose-ball scramble ensued that rivaled one of those frozen-field fumbles at the Minnesota Vikings’ old Metropolitan Stadium. The ball squirted from a pack at midcourt that included Florida’s Walter Hodge and Arkansas’ Darian Townes, then it rolled in and out of another pack before Florida’s Nick Calathes gathered it in (on his feet ) at the free-throw line.
Calathes glided in for what looked like an open layup before Charles Thomas swooped in for a thunderous blocked shot, sending the Walton Arena crowd into a frenzy. Petrino appearance
Arkansas football Coach Bobby Petrino was introduced to the Walton Arena crowd in the first half and drew a rousing ovation.
Petrino, whose staff is hosting a group of prospects this weekend in advance of Wednesday’s national signing day, led the sellout crowd in calling the Hogs.