In the lane
Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/220480/
Hogs put handcuffs on Gordon
RALEIGH, N. C. — Arkansas’ team defense on Indiana shooter Eric Gordon played a critical role in the Razorbacks’ 86-72 victory Friday.
The freshman All-American, who came in averaging 21. 3 points a game, finished with just eight points on 3-of-15 shooting. Gordon had an early drive blocked by Steven Hill to set the tone, and the likely NBA lottery pick could not get untracked.
Arkansas sophomore Patrick Beverley handled the defensive chores on Gordon most frequently when the Razorbacks played man-to-man defense, but several Hogs picked up duties against him.
“Eric Gordon’s a tremendous player,” Beverley said. “It wasn’t just a one-man wrecking crew to slow him down. It was a team effort to try to stop him. Our defense was our key to the win.” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey switched to zone packages for long stretches, and the Razorbacks also helped contain Gordon with frequent bracketing by two players around the perimeter. “Eric Gordon, I felt like, is a tremendous scorer [with ] deep, deep range,” Pelphrey said. “Whoever had the assignment of guarding him had to stay with him, try to make him a passer.” Pelphrey said the plan on Gordon probably didn’t vary much from what any team would put together. “You have to stay with him, take away his three-point shot, no rhythm threes,” Pelphrey said. “They were doing a good job in their zone of locating and squaring up on Eric,” Indiana interim coach Dan Dakich said. “Eric has struggled a little bit with his shot, but he’s so explosive. I’ll stop right there.”
Free ride Arkansas opened the game by making its first 11 free throws. The Hogs were 10 for 10 in the first half, with Sonny Weems and Darian Townes each hitting 4 of 4, and Gary Ervin making both of his tries.
The streak ended at the 18: 07 mark of the second half when Patrick Beverley missed the second free throw of a twoshot foul.
Arkansas performed much better at the game’s start than down the stretch, unlike its efforts in recent games. The Razorbacks missed 3 of 4 free throws during one stretch around the two-minute mark as Indiana tried to get back into contention. Corliss on the cover
A picture of former Razorbacks All-American Corliss Williamson is one of the featured shots on the cover of the 2008 Final Four Records Book, the comprehensive reference source coveted by members of the media.
Williamson, an All-American in 1994 and 1995, was the MVP of the 1994 Final Four. The Russellville native was honored as Arkansas’ legend at the SEC Tournament last week.
In the same book, a picture of former Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson and former President Clinton is on page 75, and a photo of Razorbacks legend Sidney Moncrief competing in the 1978 Final Four is on page 121. Been here before
Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long is in familiar territory this weekend at the Raleigh regional hosted by North Carolina State at the RBC Center. Long worked at North Carolina State as an administrative assistant to Tom Reed, the Wolfpack’s football coach, from 1983-1986. Long also worked in nearby Durham when he was as an assistant coach at Duke before going to North Carolina State.
Triple digits North Carolina had its fullcourt game in gear during its 113-74 victory against No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s. So, were the Tar Heels’ 113 points an NCAA Tournament first- and second-round record ? Not hardly. Loyola-Marymount set the mark with a 149-115 rout of Michigan in a 1999 second-round game.