2008 Woodie Awards
Win helps, but doesn't secure tournament spot for Hogs
Razorback Road
Matt Jones
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
For years, college basketball fans have subscribed to the theory that anything can happen in March.
While Arkansas beating Vanderbilt Saturday wasn't deemed impossible, the likelihood of the Razorbacks winning with both teams entering the game on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum wasn't great.
But give Arkansas credit for playing possibly its most gutsy game this season to down Vandy and, in doing so, putting itself back in consideration for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament - at least for now.
For almost any other bubble team, a win over the team that downed No. 1 in its previous game would almost always be a sure-fire lock to secure an invitation to the Big Dance. But the Razorbacks have been a model of inconsistency this season, playing Jekyll in Fayetteville and Hyde in other league cities.
For the third straight season, the Hogs' inability to win road games has left the NCAA selection committee at a loss at what to do with Arkansas entering the final week of the regular season.
And while for now it appears Arkansas has played its way back into the NCAA Tournament, things could change Tuesday when the Razorbacks travel to Ole Miss.
The Rebels are another bubble team and have an identical overall record to Arkansas - 19-9. But Ole Miss was undefeated entering Southeastern Conference play and has struggled to a 5-9 record in league games. Barring winning out the remainder of the regular season and making it to the championship game of the SEC Tournament, the Rebs will find themselves on the outside, looking in come Selection Sunday.
But that was Arkansas' scenario last season and the Hogs did the improbable, losing to Florida in the league title game and advancing to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed.
The Rebs hardly resemble a team ready to duplicate that feat. Ole Miss did beat Alabama Saturday at home and have to like their chances against an Arkansas team that is just 2-5 on the league road this season and losers of four straight away from home.
While Arkansas beating Vanderbilt Saturday wasn't deemed impossible, the likelihood of the Razorbacks winning with both teams entering the game on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum wasn't great.
But give Arkansas credit for playing possibly its most gutsy game this season to down Vandy and, in doing so, putting itself back in consideration for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament - at least for now.
For almost any other bubble team, a win over the team that downed No. 1 in its previous game would almost always be a sure-fire lock to secure an invitation to the Big Dance. But the Razorbacks have been a model of inconsistency this season, playing Jekyll in Fayetteville and Hyde in other league cities.
For the third straight season, the Hogs' inability to win road games has left the NCAA selection committee at a loss at what to do with Arkansas entering the final week of the regular season.
And while for now it appears Arkansas has played its way back into the NCAA Tournament, things could change Tuesday when the Razorbacks travel to Ole Miss.
The Rebels are another bubble team and have an identical overall record to Arkansas - 19-9. But Ole Miss was undefeated entering Southeastern Conference play and has struggled to a 5-9 record in league games. Barring winning out the remainder of the regular season and making it to the championship game of the SEC Tournament, the Rebs will find themselves on the outside, looking in come Selection Sunday.
But that was Arkansas' scenario last season and the Hogs did the improbable, losing to Florida in the league title game and advancing to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed.
The Rebs hardly resemble a team ready to duplicate that feat. Ole Miss did beat Alabama Saturday at home and have to like their chances against an Arkansas team that is just 2-5 on the league road this season and losers of four straight away from home.
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