Long Provides Break From Chaos
Last updated Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:59 PM CST in Columns
By Harry King
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Jeff Long wouldn't have seemed so smooth and unflappable if he had chosen some other time to provide a close-to-the-vest update on his search for a new football coach.
In contrast to a frenetic 20 minutes of Arkansas-Missouri basketball, the incoming athletic director was under control and in charge. Instead of filling up on cold pizza, the media consumed plenty of quotes with only a gram or two of substance.
Long stressed the need for confidentiality was of utmost importance, made it clear that he would not comment on any particular coach, and said, with emphasis, that the "job has not been offered to anyone."
If the Razorbacks had handled the Tigers' pressure as adroitly as Long handled a couple of loaded questions, the Razorbacks would have won in a walk. Instead, they competed well, got some much needed second-half production from Charles Thomas, and won 94-91.
Before Long said a word, 101 points were in the books and the lead had changed hands 11 times.
Auburn's Tommy Tuberville and Oakland's Lane Kiffin are the names mentioned most to succeed Houston Nutt and Long provided a net for both when he said there was interest from coaches in the Southeastern Conference as well as from some in the NFL. He added that any candidate from the NFL must have college experience, a stipulation that Kiffin met with a stint at USC.
As for Arkansas-Missouri, it was a very entertaining November basketball game.
Early on, it took some getting used to, seeing longtime Nolan Richardson assistant Mike Anderson on the visitors' bench and former Ole Miss coach Rob Evans helping with the home team.
Anderson entered the tunnel to the court a minute or so behind his players, stopping for a hug from an old friend in the sports information office and a handshake with a reporter. When he was introduced, the reaction was warm and appreciative. He responded by turning full circle, waving his right hand. Some fans rose to their feet and associate head coach Melvin Watkins patted Anderson on the shoulder.
Anderson's style is Richardson's style. His team is undersized and the perimeter players don't get much help. But, they have bought into Anderson's ambush 'em defense and they did score 34 points off Arkansas' 23 turnovers.
The assist-to-turnover ratio of Patrick Beverley and Sonny Weems was particularly troubling -- 1-to-5 for Beverley and 4-to-8 for Weems. Off the bench, Gary Ervin played 28 minutes with 12 points, three assists and only one turnover. Stefan Welsh, the starter at point guard for the third straight game, was shaky, particularly early.
Coach John Pelphrey had his coat off by the time Thomas scored to give Arkansas a 69-68 lead with 11 minutes to play. Somehow, Thomas got a left-handed shot to go, Welsh maneuvered into the lane for a floater and a steal by Welsh facilitated a Beverley layup for 75-68.
Thomas' shot swirled around and fell in for 85-79 when Stephen Hill refrained from a helpful touch. Welsh misfired on a couple of free throws and then turned it over when doubled near midcourt. He didn't get back on defense and Keon Lawrence's three-point play gave Missouri its last lead, 88-87 with 2:22 to go.
Arkansas got a break when Missouri failed to convert another Beverley turnover and Thomas turned it over trying to get into the lane. He did grab a rebound after the Tigers missed three times inside and one time outside with Arkansas in front 90-89.
At 92-91 with :17.9 to play, Anderson used his last timeout to set up a press. Beverley ran a deep route and Thomas came forward to get the ball, eventually getting it back to Weems who made both free throws.
Darryl Butterfield had to try a 3 at the end and he failed to con the officials when he jumped into Thomas who beat it up the sideline, pounding beating his chest.
Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
About this columnist
The dean of Arkansas sports writers, Harry King updates his column five days per week with the latest on the Razorbacks. A 35-year veteran of The Associated Press, King joined the Arkansas News Bureau in May of 2002. He's covered the Razorbacks since the Arkansas-Texas game dubbed the Big Shootout in 1969.
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