E S C A P E D: Arkansas picks up its 4th conference victory in a row

It was not pretty and it seemed like Auburn could not miss, but Arkansas found a way. Behind Courtney Fortson's 24 points (11 in overtime) the Hogs did what they had to do to win another conference ball game. The Razorbacks are a team that many left for dead, but they now lead the SEC West at the half-way point of the season.

Marshawn Powell and Courtney Fortson took the game over down the stretch. With Arkansas trailing 62-58 the Hogs kicked it in to high gear and eventually took a 67-65 lead with 4.1 seconds left in the game. Then Auburn's Tay Waller took a fade away from about 27 feet that clipped the side of the rim. Auburn grabbed the rebound falling out of bounds letting a three pointer fly, and while the shot was an air ball, Lucas Hargrove was there to grab the ball out of the air for a put back to tie the game with 1.6 seconds to go in the game to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, it was Courtney Fortson time. Fortson took the game over by taking the ball to the rack to the ice the game, or so they thought. A Stefan Welsh mental error gave the Tigers hope, but Arkansas was too tough down the stretch. Arkansas was able to escape with an 82-79 victory.

This team has such a small margin for error, but they seem to be able to get past mental errors with tough play to be able to pick up victories. Since the Kentucky blowout many have expected this team to lay down and quit, but to the team and coaches credit they have not. Now at least they are in the conversation for an NCAA tournament birth. A team that has won the SEC West has never missed the NCAA tournament. Should they be expected to be able to make the NCAA tournament? No, but to their credit they have made it in the realm of possibility. For this team to make any post-season outside of the SEC tournament should be considered a success. Any post-season! Even the NIT.

Fire Pelphrey?

Anywhere you look in the state of Arkansas, whether it be message boards (like my favorite, Hogville.net), on TV, or on sports radio, you hear people's opinions regarding the Razorback basketball team. Many people say the U of A should fire John Pelphrey because his record is not what they would like it to be, or because he suspended players and would not talk in depth about why. My co-hosts Brad and Shawn don't entirely agree with me. They are entitled to their opinions.

But here's mine:

I don't think Pel should be fired after this year, barring some unforseen circumstance. Another 2-14 conference record would warrant dismissal in my opinion, but after a 1-1 start, that isn't looking likely. I say we win 4-6 games at least, which I understand is not a Hog fan's idea of success.

Improvements have been made, the biggest of which being the re-additon of point guard Courtney Fortson. His 17 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game have made a huge difference for the team since his return. The Hogs played then #2 Texas close and nearly won their SEC opener on the road at Mississippi State despite an early 19-point defecit and a triple-double by Bulldog center Jarvis Varnado.

Freshman Marshawn Powell is more proof of Pelphrey's recruiting acumen, as he has stepped in and averaged nearly 16 points and 7 rebounds himself.

Add to all this arguably the best shooter in the country, Rotnei Clarke (18 ppg, 48% 3-pt FG), and it is clear that soon the players needed to compete in Pel's system will be in place.

All that is needed is a little consistency.

People want to blame Clarke's lack of shots on Pel, or the UAB loss on a last second dunk, but college coaches should not have to teach division-1 athletes how to set proper screens or how to protect the basket on an inbounds play. These things should be second nature by now.

I understand substitution patterns and play calling are under the coach's control, and unless Pel wants to see Fortson or Clarke drop dead he may need to get them some breaks, but Pel is still trying to feel out this team, and he should be granted a little leeway.

Let's let him coach out this season and try to get the great crop of 2011 talent to the Hill and then judge Pel on his success or failure.