Razorbacks basketball report
Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008
Pelphrey not stirred by victory
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey was far from thrilled after his team beat NAIA opponent Dillard 108-80 on Thursday night in the Razorbacks’ second exhibition game.
“I would say overall I wasn’t impressed by our play,” Pelphrey said. “We’re a long, long way from competing for a win in the regular season.
“ We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re very, very fortunate that we have time.”
But not that much time.
Arkansas opens the regular season against Southeastern Louisiana on Friday night at Walton Arena.
By then, Pelphrey hopes the Razorbacks will be playing better in all phases, but especially on defense.
“The commitment level to play defense has got to be better,” he said. “Basically what we showed in the first two exhibition games is that we’ll foul.”
The Razorbacks had 46 combined fouls in their exhibition games: 24 in Monday night’s 103-58 victory over Campbellville, another NAIA team, and 22 against Dillard.
Pelphrey said there is “a smorgasbord” of problems on defense.
“Take your pick,” he said. “It’s indicative of a young team.”
The smorgasbord selections, Pelphrey said, include being out of position, not being in the proper stance on the wing, allowing the ball to go into the post too easily, not rebounding and fouling.
“We’re probably not a lot different than a lot of other teams around,” Pelphrey said. “But the problem for us is we play in a great league and have a very good nonconference schedule.
“ So if we’re like a lot of other teams, that just means we’re going to play like a lot of other teams, and that’s obviously not going to cut it.”
Pelphrey said the Razorbacks didn’t play with the same attitude against Dillard as they did in the exhibition opener.
“I didn’t think our enthusiasm and passion for it was very high,” he said. “There were some moments, but I thought this was much more of an exhibition game type of play than the other night.
“ I think we can play harder. We can play better.”
Take charge guy
Junior forward Michael Washington drew five charges in a combined 41 minutes in Arkansas’ two exhibition games. He drew three charges against Campbellsville and two against Dillard.
“It’s really not hard,” Washington said. “If you can take the hit, that’s the only thing that matters.”
Second-year Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said Washington always has done a good job in practice of drawing charges, but now it’s showing up more in games because of his increased minutes.
“I think that’s a gift Mike has,” Pelphrey said. “He’s a physical player, and he’s willing to sacrifice his body on defense to take that charge.” Clarke can pass, too Arkansas freshman guard Rotnei Clarke is known for his long-range shooting, and he hasn’t disappointed, hitting 9 of 15 three-point baskets in two exhibition games. But Clarke also has six assists and just one turnover in those games. “He’s much more than a shooter,” Coach John Pelphrey said. “He’s a basketball player.”
Versatile Henry Arkansas freshman Jason Henry, 6-6, was recruited as a wing, but he also played some point guard against Dillard and had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 15 minutes off the bench. “Jason is a tremendous, tremendous talent,” Coach John Pelphrey said. “He’s got to really, really focus on his discipline in terms of commitment to defense, attitude, off-the-floor stuff. He’s got to make sure he gets in the right place in regards to academics. “ But if Jason gets focused, zeroed in, really it’s limitless to what he can accomplish.”
Going pro Six players from last season’s Arkansas team are continuing their basketball careers as professionals. Two are on NBA rosters — Sonny Weems with Denver and Steven Hill with Oklahoma City — but haven’t played this season. Weems, a second-round draft pick by Chicago who was traded to Denver, has been recovering from sports hernia surgery. Hill, a free agent, signed with the Thunder on Tuesday. Charles Thomas and Vincent Hunter are teammates in Finland, where they’re playing for Forssan Koripojat. Thomas is averaging 17. 3 points and 9. 3 rebounds; Hunter 17 points and 6. 2 rebounds. Patrick Beverley is playing in the Ukraine, where he’s averaging 16. 2 points, 3. 7 assists and 2. 2 steals for Dnipro. Darian Townes is in Poland, where he’s averaging 7. 7 points and 5. 9 rebounds for PGB Turow. Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said he’s stayed in touch with the former Razorbacks through phone calls and text messages. “I’m glad they’re having an opportunity to play,” Pelphrey said. “There’s not a better way to make a living than playing basketball.” After Pelphrey graduated from Kentucky, he played professionally for a year in France and Spain before going into coaching.
Ranked foes Four Arkansas opponents are ranked in the preseason polls. In The Associated Press media poll, the teams on Arkansas’ schedule are No. 7 Texas, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 14 Tennessee and No. 19 Florida. The spots are slightly different in the USA Today / ESPN coaches’ poll, with No. 8 Texas, No. 13 Tennessee, No. 14 Oklahoma and No. 19 Florida. Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee will play at Walton Arena this season, while Arkansas plays at Florida.
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