2008 Woodie Awards
Senior swan song
Six Arkansas players ready for final game at Bud Walton
Matt Jones
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
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The Razorbacks (19-10, 8-7 Southeastern Conference) look to do no more harm to their NCAA Tournament chances following another disappointing road effort Tuesday in an 81-72 loss at Ole Miss.
First-year Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey has checked his opinion at the door on his team's postseason prospects.
"Anything I would say would be another opinion to the pile," Pelphrey said. "I don't really have (an opinion). My focus is totally on Auburn.
"I believe games are won and lost on the court. Nobody really cares what I think. I could say a lot of stuff, but unless we perform, it doesn't matter. I believe we'll be put where we deserve."
By most national accounts, Arkansas will still make the NCAA Tournament despite its 2-6 road record in SEC play. Those chances of making the Big Dance could take a devastating hit with a slip-up against the Tigers (14-14, 4-11 SEC), however, leaving Pelphrey to worry about a false sense of security at home.
"Any game we've won here has been because of great effort," Pelphrey said. "The biggest help for us and the biggest hindrance for our opponent has been our fans, Bud Walton Arena.
"Our guys need to understand that just because they're playing at home doesn't guarantee them anything."
Arkansas beat the Tigers 76-70 in the two teams' first meeting this season, Jan. 10, at Auburn. That game was the conference opener for both teams. Arkansas center Steven Hill said that long gap between games will make the Tigers a different team.
"They've improved a lot," Hill said. "They played us really well down there. They've had 14 other games to get better and they've had a few good wins.
"They had lost a lot of guys because of injury. I think they're comfortable with who they have right now. They don't have a lot of size, but they've filled that role with some guys who can take it off the dribble and can do stuff outside and inside. I think they've come into their own."
Hill is one of six Arkansas seniors playing their final regular season game in Bud Walton Arena Saturday, along with Darian Townes, Charles Thomas, Gary Ervin, Sonny Weems and Vincent Hunter.
Weems was held to a season-low three points in the loss at Ole Miss despite averaging more than 19 points per conference game entering the contest. He'll look to put that game behind him against the Tigers, who he scored 17 against in the earlier meeting this season.
Weems, who transferred to Arkansas from Arkansas-Fort Smith prior to his junior season, said a win is more important than ceremonies and memories.
"Emotions will be high," Weems said. "But we still have a game to play.
"I'm not too concerned about senior day. I just want to get this win and do whatever helps our chance to get into the NCAA Tournament. Senior day is just another game for me."
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