Rivals in the gym? Not so much anymore. Yes, in Arkansas, most of us from mid-Millennial on up still despise Texas, but the days of hardwood hatred are probably long gone.
Ask many a devout Arkansas Razorbacks fan what they most remember about our final basketball days in the SWC. It will not take you long to get an answer. We hated Texas. Furthermore, we heard our fathers scream at least once “I hate Tom Penders!” That, my good friends, is how we spent our winters. Some watching while Eddie Sutton’s Razorbacks whipped the Longhorns frequently. Those and others listening to Mike Nail describe Nolan Richardson walking off of the court, only to later scream about Lee Mayberry’s game-tying three that had to be from 28-feet. Whatever your past, a rivalry gets renewed tomorrow at the Lone Start Shootout.
Arkansas “hosts” the Texas Longhorns in Houston at the Toyota Center. We briefly talked about the Razorbacks vs the Longhorns recently, however, let’s expound on that a little bit. This will be a good test away from Bud Walton, and Arkansas’s only venture out was a loss at Minnesota. But what do the HOGS have to fear? At 5 – 4, Texas seems to be struggling under Shaka Smart in only his second year since making the transition from VCU.
On Paper…
Okay, so I have to make some attempt to break down how this game could be close, especially considering what I wrote in the recent days about not being sold on the way our Razorbacks have played early in the season despite their 8 – 1 record. I have to attempt to come up with some stats that show that Texas is better than their horrible five wins and even more atrocious four losses. Honestly, I cannot. There are plenty of places out there that will show you the stat sheets for the two teams. Some will even be in the same dilemma as I will be in and try to adjudicate how Texas’s ability to draw fouls while being one of the tops in the nation in not committing them will enable them to hang with Arkansas. I am not going to do any of that.
What I am going to tell you consists of my following statements in our players’ mentalities and approach. If Arkansas can extend their perimeter defense while preventing Texas’s taller lineup from beating them inside, the HOGS have a shot. Also, if Arkansas will penetrate when possible instead of settling for a late three, the HOGS will win. Furthermore, if Arkansas does get an early advantage, and they do not become complacent, then the HOGS will leave Houston with a decisive victory. The key is if we learned anything from North Florida in a ‘closer than it seems’ 91 – 76 margin a week ago.
Nov 22, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Dustin Thomas (13) shoots in the second half against the Minnesota Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) at Williams Arena. The Minnesota Gophers beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 85-71. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Predictions…
Will all of this happen? Let’s hope that Mike Anderson & Company have really turned the corner and that a numerically large triumph shows that we are contenders this year. In second guessing myself, whether the mass wants to admit it or not, many burnt orange fans still hold a grudge. Is it possible that they can pass this hatred down to their players as motivation? Therefore, no victory against Texas in their home state will be one of ease and comfort? Nope, I think this one will be a ‘W’ for the Razorbacks.
One More Thought on “The Rivalry”…
David Beall of ArkansasRazorbacks.com reminds me that this match-up may still burn as a rivalry, especially in they eyes of the diehards from down South: “In postseason play when it matters most, the Razorbacks are 6-1 against Texas. Arkansas won the Southwest Conference Tournament Championship three times at the hands of the Longhorns and advanced to the 1990 Final Four at the expense of its then-conference foe.” Do rivalries fade? I guess a look at the game (and possibly its attendance) this weekend will be a sign. It will be hard to tell because Texas is down, and, honestly, their basketball fans have always been bandwagon riders. So Saturday may be a toss-up – it could be a slaughter, or it could be a battle to the end. Chances are most likely the prior.
So buckle up fans, it’s time to take a walk down memory lane and grab your favorite antacids as a throwback to the SWC days. Can Arkansas remind Texas fans why they were once beyond elated that we had left their conference for greener and less egotistical pastures? I guess that we will find out starting Saturday, 17 December 2016, at 1:30 PM on ESPNU. Go HOGS!!!
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