Heath believes Hogs have tools to succeed
Robert Beckmann and Bart Pohlman, Contributing Writers
Issue date: 10/19/05 Section: Sports
The Razorback basketball team, complete with a new offensive system and nearly all of their key players returning, has started preparing for a defining season under the guidance of head coach Stan Heath.
With the debut of the Hogs last Friday night in the team's first group practice, the Hogs implemented a new motion offense that has been developed in the offseason by Heath and new assistant Dan Hipsher.
"We're going with five-man motion," Heath said. "There's more thinking, reading and reacting involved than actual guys being in the same spots. There's more interaction out there on the court."
The new system, which is a take-off of the famed Princeton Offense, will improve upon last year's often-stagnant offense by fully utilizing the team's quickness and agility.
Along with the new offense has come a high expectation from fans and coaches for the Hogs this year. Coach Heath believes that now is the time for the team to make a jump to the next level.
"We're fighting for that SEC Championship, and we feel like we have a team that's very capable of being in the NCAA Tournament."
After a 9-19, 12-16 and 18-12 record in his first three years, respectively, Heath believes the jump is within reach, as all the pieces to the puzzle seem to be in place.
The most important of these pieces is leadership, which does not seem to be an issue with this year's group, Heath said. The engergetic, tight-knit squad combines talent and experience for the first time in Heath's tenure. Junior swingman Ronnie Brewer has been looked upon to deliver a successful season, as shown by his appointment to the preseason watch list for the Wooden Award.
But Heath is also looking to other players who he thinks can have a tremendous impact this year.
"[Senior guard Jonathan] Modica is a strong candidate," Heath said. "He can make shots and can score in a lot of different ways.
"And I think [Charles] Thomas is a nice answer down low."
The Hog squad will certainly be challenged early and often by a fierce non-conference schedule. The sternest of these tests will come in Hawaii at the Maui Invitational Nov. 21. The tournament features perennial powerhouses such as Arizona, Kansas, and Connecticut, the Hogs' first round opponent.
"We actually don't get a chance to enjoy Maui," Heath said. "We're going to be there playing against some heavyweights. We know it's a tremendous challenge for us, but we want to be in the top echelon of college basketball and in order to do that, we've got to play against the best teams."
The Razorbacks' first public action on court will be in the annual Red-White Game Oct. 29 at 4:05 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.
With the debut of the Hogs last Friday night in the team's first group practice, the Hogs implemented a new motion offense that has been developed in the offseason by Heath and new assistant Dan Hipsher.
"We're going with five-man motion," Heath said. "There's more thinking, reading and reacting involved than actual guys being in the same spots. There's more interaction out there on the court."
The new system, which is a take-off of the famed Princeton Offense, will improve upon last year's often-stagnant offense by fully utilizing the team's quickness and agility.
Along with the new offense has come a high expectation from fans and coaches for the Hogs this year. Coach Heath believes that now is the time for the team to make a jump to the next level.
"We're fighting for that SEC Championship, and we feel like we have a team that's very capable of being in the NCAA Tournament."
After a 9-19, 12-16 and 18-12 record in his first three years, respectively, Heath believes the jump is within reach, as all the pieces to the puzzle seem to be in place.
The most important of these pieces is leadership, which does not seem to be an issue with this year's group, Heath said. The engergetic, tight-knit squad combines talent and experience for the first time in Heath's tenure. Junior swingman Ronnie Brewer has been looked upon to deliver a successful season, as shown by his appointment to the preseason watch list for the Wooden Award.
But Heath is also looking to other players who he thinks can have a tremendous impact this year.
"[Senior guard Jonathan] Modica is a strong candidate," Heath said. "He can make shots and can score in a lot of different ways.
"And I think [Charles] Thomas is a nice answer down low."
The Hog squad will certainly be challenged early and often by a fierce non-conference schedule. The sternest of these tests will come in Hawaii at the Maui Invitational Nov. 21. The tournament features perennial powerhouses such as Arizona, Kansas, and Connecticut, the Hogs' first round opponent.
"We actually don't get a chance to enjoy Maui," Heath said. "We're going to be there playing against some heavyweights. We know it's a tremendous challenge for us, but we want to be in the top echelon of college basketball and in order to do that, we've got to play against the best teams."
The Razorbacks' first public action on court will be in the annual Red-White Game Oct. 29 at 4:05 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.
