40 Minutes of Pel has to go

A once proud Arkansas program has fallen to a point that in 1994 people would have laughed you to scorn.  Yeah, I know it's not 1994 anymore.  In fact, 1994 might as well be 1894 or 1794 as far as the Arkansas basketball program is concerned.  

Now, if you have read this blog before I admit I have said that Pelphrey  should stay, but the sad truth is he is not getting it done as the Razorback head coach.  The rich history of Arkansas basketball goes back before Eddie Sutton or Nolan Richardson with a final four appearance in 1941.  Houston Nutt got a free pass with two consecutive losing seasons in football, but consecutive losing seasons in basketball is inexcusable especially with non conference games against the Morgan State's of the world.  

I know that he has had suspensions and just a string of bad luck, but he has recruited these players.  He took some chances last year that ended up blowing up in his face with Montrell McDonald, who had already been dismissed at George Washington University and Jason Henry, who was supremely talented but just could not stay out of trouble.  Henry would have made a difference on this team. It just does not seem that Arkansas gets the most out of it's players consistently.  The same problems seem to rear their ugly heads such as bad defense or bad turnovers, but more importantly bad attitudes.  Look at Tennessee.  They dismissed their best player and suspended others only days before they played the #1 Kansas Jayhawks only to win.  

Do you realize that Arkansas has been on three seperate four game losing streaks during this season?  At the University of Arkansas that is not acceptable. The acceptable improvement would have been the NIT this season and the Hogs were in position to be there but the effort has started to wain much as it did last year.  Now most likely the NIT is not going to happen. Isn't the mark of a good coach somebody who can figure out a way to stop the bleeding?

I know the talent has to be there, but this same talent won five games in a row in the SEC.  I like John Pelphrey, and I may look back at this post with regret some years from now. The fact is he has a slightly lower winning percentage than he had at South Alabama (.544 at USA and .536 at U of A).  The days of Nolan Richardson may never be seen again in this state but Arkansas should be the best program in the SEC West and number two in the SEC after Kentucky.  That is just not the case.  Sadly Stan Heath had the program going in a better direction than Pelphrey with two straight NCAA appearances before his firing.  

I don't know if he is the answer but if Arkansas does not do it's dead level best to go after Mike Anderson at Missouri it would be a mistake.  He plays the style of basketball that is Arkansas basketball.  One that is sorely missed.

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.