Busy Busy Busy

As you can probably tell by the posting patterns, TSB (The Sports Blitz) has had recently, we have been super-busy... The Caldwell's lost a grandfather, and I (Mark) have had job training consume my last couple weeks. Have no fear, however, we haven't gone anywhere!

Since I wrote the Fanatic Approach there has been a swell of negativity beginning to surround the Razorback basketball team. This isn't too surprising though, because of four straight losses, and falling from alone in 1st to fighting for 2nd in the SEC-West. I have lost my leg to stand on in a lot of people's eyes. I said pre-SEC that 5-7 wins in conference would be a great transformation from last year's 2-14 debacle. I also said John Pelphrey deserved another year (at least) because of the way he handled the Courtney Fortson saga and how although the team struggled through the non-conference, they had their floor general back. Now, I don't know anyone who agrees with me.

That's fine, because I'm one of the only rational people I know too.

No offense to you Pel-haters, but none of you look at the biggest picture. You say others, like Mike Anderson, would do more with this team, and that it's time for a change, again. Don't you realize Pel had two years worth of hangover from Stan Heath's last team, including SEVEN players gone after his first season, which happened to be an NCAA tournament team (they beat Indiana in the first round before running into North Carolina?) That team had only three players currently contributing to this year's team; Stefan Welsh, Mike Washington, and Marcus Britt.

Who would expect Pel to do anything with that?

So he tried to recruit quick fixes. Jason Henry, Montrell McDonald, et al... Result? Bomb.

What would you have done? Recruited more stable, reliable players? Enter Rotnei Clarke and Courtney Fortson. You see, Pel has players on the way that can help change the Razorbacks' fortunes. Rickey Scott is leading the Dallas-metro area in scoring, Mardracus Wade and Marvell Waithe should be welcomed additions, and we have seen flashes from Bryant, Farmer, Johnson, and Nobles this season. Marshawn Powell is enough to get flat out giddy about, that dude is a man...

Bottom line, Pel has guys he likes coming in. I know he has yet to fulfill his promise of full-court defense, high intensity basketball, but with his own guys coming in and depth being built, next year will be now or never. If next year's team doesn't make the NCAA's or if Pel is unable to get AT LEAST three of the big-time 2011 recruits targeted (Madden, Mickelson, A. Thomas, etc.), it will be time to reconsider.

I'm all about patience, because starting over just doesn't sound like fun to me. Three more years like the last three would drive me to the crazy house, and I know it would you too... Please, try some positivity, and if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I mean it...