Now That the Regular Season is Out of the Way …

(AP Photo/Beth Hall)

Last night’s game was broadcast in the Atlanta area, but I didn’t watch it. Displaying a frightening sense of priorities, I decided to go out to dinner with a friend instead. My feeling was this: If the Hogs lose, I don’t want to see it, and if they win, big deal – it’s Auburn.

After reading the game stories and looking at the box score, one thing definitely jumps out: Patrick Beverley is back. That sounds like quite an offensive display he put on: 27 points, making all six of his shots from behind the three-point line. That’s about all of the penetrating insight that I’ve got right now.

So, with the regular season behind us and the conference tournament looming, the big question, of course, is what kind of shape are the Hogs in for an NCAA bid? If I were a betting man, I’d say they are currently on the outside looking in. I just can’t get past their 3-5 finish. Win a game or two in Atlanta, of course, and it’s a different story. But if the Hogs get bounced on Friday, I think we’re looking at the NIT.

Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Filed under: Basketball, NCAA Tournament, Patrick Beverley — Stephen at 6:12 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2008

4 Comments »

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Comment by Ron Carter

March 9, 2008 @ 6:32 pm

Though I have only watched the hogs a little better than your Atlanta area broadcasters, I’d worry about saying that Beverley is “back”. If anything, he’ll be “gone” next game. The same can be said about the rest of the team.

Now one thing is for certain. The Razorbacks play ball in Bud Walton.

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Comment by Skywalker

March 9, 2008 @ 9:21 pm

The Hogs are in a pretty good position at this point to drop in as an 11 or 12 seed. A good showing at the tourney this weekend could bump that to a 9 or 10. But unless three or four teams make unexpected runs through the weekend and play themselves into the Big Dance, the Hogs are safe. Even if they lose to Vandy on Friday.

The 3-5 finish won’t be the deciding factor for the committee; the general media consensus is that the Hogs have a pretty strong resume and are in good position among bubble teams. That’s partially because (the general consensus also says) this year’s bubble is the weakest we’ve seen in years.

It’s not that the Hogs aren’t an NCAA-caliber team; it’s that the standard for “NCAA-caliber team” has been lowered.

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Comment by Roy

March 10, 2008 @ 7:13 am

Totally agree with Skywalker. I think the Hogs are at 10-11 right now and if they beat Vandy, then maybe they slip into a 9 seed. Honestly, a loss to Vandy wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world because I’d rather be a 10-12 seed than a 8-9 and potentially play a 1 seed in the 2nd round. But as of now I see the Hogs getting an 11 seed.

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Comment by CharlieHog

March 10, 2008 @ 10:10 am

It was another fun home game. On the post-game show Mike said we were 15-1 at home this year, the 3rd best record in the SEC (Tenn and Vandy went undefeated). Not bad.

We do have a good team, they just lose focus or determination, or something, at times. This same team came on last year and won 3 games in the SECT, hopefully they can do that again.

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