2008 Woodie Awards
Hogs hope to rebound from 'disappointing' loss
Razorback Report
Matt Jones
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
Arkansas senior center Steven Hill said he can feel his college career coming to an end. Where the 7-footer from Branson, Mo., wouldn't like his four years end is in the NIT, but knows the Razorbacks' NCAA Tournament hopes took a big hit in a 59-56 loss at Alabama Wednesday.
"It's very, very disappointing," Hill said. "We should have gotten that game. We needed that game. (The loss) does hurt us down the road, but there's nothing we can do about it now."
The loss to the Tide (15-13, 4-9 Southeastern Conference) was Arkansas' fourth straight road loss and dropped the Hogs to 2-5 on the SEC road this season. The Razorbacks also fell three games back of Mississippi State in the SEC Western division standings and can hope for no more than a share of the division crown.
But division titles are hardly relevant as Arkansas (18-9, 7-6 SEC) fights for its postseason life and must now focus on No. 18 Vanderbilt for a 3:05 p.m., meeting Saturday in Bud Walton Arena.
The Commodores (24-4, 9-4 SEC) are coming off of easily their biggest win of the season, a 72-69 decision over No. 1 Tennessee Tuesday night in Nashville.
While the road has been Arkansas' kryptonite, the Hogs have been tough at home, boasting a 5-1 record there this season. Hill said having a big game at home will help to ease the sting of Wednesday night's upset.
"It you can't get up for this game, you probably don't have a pulse," Hill said. "We're at home and playing one of the top teams in the country. Hopefully, that will give us a little extra push and we can get over the hump."
The "hump" has been closer to a mountain for Arkansas since going on a four-game winning streak earlier this month. The Razorbacks have lost four of their last five games and now find themselves sitting on the bubble for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
While a win over the Commodores - winners of nine-straight - will help the Razorbacks in the tournament selection committee's eyes, Hill said Arkansas can't worry about postseason play.
"It's very, very disappointing," Hill said. "We should have gotten that game. We needed that game. (The loss) does hurt us down the road, but there's nothing we can do about it now."
The loss to the Tide (15-13, 4-9 Southeastern Conference) was Arkansas' fourth straight road loss and dropped the Hogs to 2-5 on the SEC road this season. The Razorbacks also fell three games back of Mississippi State in the SEC Western division standings and can hope for no more than a share of the division crown.
But division titles are hardly relevant as Arkansas (18-9, 7-6 SEC) fights for its postseason life and must now focus on No. 18 Vanderbilt for a 3:05 p.m., meeting Saturday in Bud Walton Arena.
The Commodores (24-4, 9-4 SEC) are coming off of easily their biggest win of the season, a 72-69 decision over No. 1 Tennessee Tuesday night in Nashville.
While the road has been Arkansas' kryptonite, the Hogs have been tough at home, boasting a 5-1 record there this season. Hill said having a big game at home will help to ease the sting of Wednesday night's upset.
"It you can't get up for this game, you probably don't have a pulse," Hill said. "We're at home and playing one of the top teams in the country. Hopefully, that will give us a little extra push and we can get over the hump."
The "hump" has been closer to a mountain for Arkansas since going on a four-game winning streak earlier this month. The Razorbacks have lost four of their last five games and now find themselves sitting on the bubble for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
While a win over the Commodores - winners of nine-straight - will help the Razorbacks in the tournament selection committee's eyes, Hill said Arkansas can't worry about postseason play.
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