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By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Arkansas Razorbacks
Southeastern Conference (21-13, 7-9)
Seed: #12
East Region
RPI: 35
Big Wins:
11/23 vs Southern Illinois (61-53), 11/26 vs West Virginia (71-64), 1/27 at
Alabama (63-57)
Bad Losses:
1/24 at South Carolina (60-66), 2/10 at LSU (67-71), 2/21 at Auburn
(59-67)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2006, First Round loss to Bucknell
Coach:
Stan Heath (3-2 in 2 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Gary Ervin,
Junior, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 5.0 apg
Patrick
Beverly, Freshman, Guard, 14.1 ppg, 3.2 apg, 4.4 rpg
Sonny Weems,
Junior, Guard, 11.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Charles Thomas,
Junior, Forward, 11.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Steven Hill,
Junior, Center, 6.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 bpg
Key
Roleplayers:
Sean McCurdy,
Sophomore, Guard, 1.9 ppg, 1.4 apg
Stefan Welsh,
Freshman, Guard, 3.4 ppg, 0.7 apg
Vincent Hunter,
Junior, Forward, 3.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Darian Townes,
Junior, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Arkansas has a
whole slew of talent up front. Workhorse Charles Thomas has become the most
consistent player and will hustle on both ends of the floor. The 6-8 junior
is a double-double threat on any given night. Thomas has a decent outside
shot, but his field-goal percentage has suffered when he tries to extend his
range a little too far.
Seven-footer
Steven Hill is a great shot blocker and a decent scorer and the Razorbacks
do not lose much in any category when Hill needs a break and Darian Townes
steps into the game. Further down the bench, 6-10 junior Vincent Hunter is
an experienced player with a defensive mindset.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
If it was not
for freshman Patrick Beverly, the Razorbacks would be a horrid shooting team
from behind the arc. Beverly makes over three long balls per game and has
quickly become the main scoring threat for Arkansas. Without Beverly hitting
the outside shot, opposing defenses would have any easy time collapsing in
the paint and stopping the Razorback attack. Fellow newcomer Sonny Weems, a
junior college transfer, can hit the long ball from the wing, but is much
more effective getting to the basket.
Who To
Watch:
Point guard
Gary Ervin transferred in from Mississippi State and immediately made an
impact. The lightning quick point guard dishes out five assists per game and
will use his speed to get to the basket. Like the rest of the team, his
turnover numbers are a little high, but Arkansas does like to play fast and
turnovers will happen when Ervin is streaking down the court.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: First Round loss to USC
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2007 NCAA Tournament Bracket
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