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Pelphrey Gets Assist From Heath

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

Arkansas, once the nation's premier shock-and-awe program, hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game since 1999.

But the Razorbacks (13-4, 2-1) have enough talent to capture the SEC West and make their mark in the postseason. What a slam-dunk start that would be for first-year Coach John Pelphrey.

In keeping with the basketball parlance, perhaps an assist should go to Stan Heath.

Heath, in his first season with the University of South Florida, was abruptly fired last year after guiding Arkansas to consecutive NCAA Tournament bids. Creighton's Dana Altman was introduced as the new coach, but he had second thoughts and retreated to the Bluejays less than 24 hours later.

The job then went to Pelphrey, who was Billy Donovan's right-hand man at Florida before taking South Alabama to the Sun Belt title in 2006.

"I'm not consumed with how I got here," Pelphrey said. "A lot has been made about it. I'm just appreciative of the opportunity."

Many first-year coaches are faced with rebuilding.

Not Pelphrey, who has inherited a boatload of terrific players, largely saddled with a talent-heavy, underachieving reputation.

"As far as the coaching change, we came together as a team and decided it was us against the world," Arkansas senior forward Charles Thomas said.

The Razorbacks have six Heath-recruited seniors, including 7-footer Steven Hill and guard Sonny Weems, who had 28 points in Wednesday's 70-66 loss against South Carolina. Sophomore Patrick Beverley, last season's SEC freshman of the year, is back, too.

"We want to give a special senior year to our veterans," Pelphrey said. "When you go from one coaching staff to the next, it's a culture change."

If Arkansas changes its postseason fortunes, no one will remember that.

PROJECTED REGIONAL SEEDS

Staff writer Joey Johnston takes an early look at how the NCAA men's basketball tournament field might develop:

East (Charlotte)

1. North Carolina (18-0)

2. Washington State (14-1)

3. Texas (13-3)

4. Marquette (13-3)

UNC breathing easier after escaping at Georgia Tech; Texas has lost three of its past five games.

South (Houston)

1. Memphis (16-0)

2. Duke (14-1)

3. Indiana (15-1)

4. Texas A&M (15-2)

Duke and Indiana are coming on strong; Texas A&M slightly downgraded after loss to Texas Tech.

Midwest (Detroit)

1. Kansas (17-0)

2. Tennessee (15-1)

3. Pittsburgh (15-2)

4. Wisconsin (14-2)

Tennessee looks like class of the SEC, while Pittsburgh is building nice resume, even with its injuries.

West (Phoenix)

1. UCLA (16-1)

2. Georgetown (13-2)

3. Michigan State (15-2)

4. Vanderbilt (16-2)

Michigan State (36 points against Iowa?) and Vanderbilt (two straight losses) may be suddenly teetering.

SWEET BEGINNINGS

Nine coaches in the past 10 years inherited NCAA Tournament-qualifying programs, then guided their new teams to the Sweet 16 (or better) in the first season.

Courtside: Indiana Forward D.J. White

White, a senior who was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the third time this season, has led the Hoosiers (15-1, 4-0) to 11 straight wins. He is averaging 17.3 points and 14.0 rebounds in Big Ten games. He had 21 points and a career-high 22 rebounds against Michigan, the first Indiana player to go 20-20 since Alan Henderson in 1995.

What has changed since your freshman season when White averaged 4.9 rebounds?

I'm being more aggressive. I know what I need to do for this team to be successful. My freshman year coming in, I thought it was all about scoring and I didn't rebound like I was capable of doing.

How has your game changed since last season?

When the ball is in the air, I think I should go get it and I go pursue it. On the offensive end, I don't have the have the ball in my hand every time like I did last year when I was double and triple-teamed.

How much pride do you take in rebounding now?

I try to get everything I can off the glass, and I take a lot of pride in double-doubles. I think I should get a double-double every game.

As a senior, are you playing with a sense of urgency?

I am hungry for a title. We haven't had one since I've been here, and this is the perfect time to do it. It's always in the back of my mind. I'm playing every game like it's my last one.

GAME OF THE DAY

Clemson at Duke

ESPN, 6 p.m.

The Clemson Tigers (14-3, 2-1 ACC) nearly had a landmark victory against top-ranked North Carolina on Jan. 6, but fell on a 3-point buzzer-beater in overtime.

Will Clemson have better luck against Duke?

Not likely.

The Blue Devils (14-1, 2-0) haven't lost to Clemson at Cameron Indoor Stadium since 1995. Overall, Duke has won 21 straight games in the series. Clemson is 4-55 all-time at Duke and could suffer its 100th career defeat at the hands of the Blue Devils (who lead the series 99-27).

No doubt, Clemson fans will remember last season's controversial finish, when the clock didn't start on time, allowing Duke a last-second opportunity, David McClure's layup at the buzzer in the Blue Devils' 68-66 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

2

Big-time freshmen who will be on display in today's Battle of L.A. - USC (10-6, 1-3) at UCLA (16-1, 4-0). The Bruins are led by the human double-double, center Kevin Love (16.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg). The Trojans feature flashy guard O.J. Mayo (19.9 ppg), who already has seven games with 20 points or better.

SLAM DUNK

University of New Orleans senior Bo McCalebb had 23 points to become the Sun Belt Conference's all-time leading scorer (2,332) in Thursday night's 83-61 win against North Texas. Former South Florida star Charlie Bradley (2,319 points from 1981-85) held the mark for nearly 23 full seasons - and during the Bulls' ascension from the Sun Belt to the Metro to Conference USA to the Big East. McCalebb was born on May 4, 1985 - about six weeks after Bradley completed his USF career.

AIR BALL

Pepperdine coach Vance Walberg has resigned, citing "family issues." But according to a Los Angeles Times report, Walberg's treatment of Pepperdine players was being questioned. Last season, Walberg made a player leave the court and suck his thumb during practice because the coach said he "acted like a baby." The Waves were 14-35 under Walberg, including 6-12 this season.

RETURN TO TAMPA

The NCAA men's basketball tournament returns to the Tampa Bay area with opening-round games on March 21 and 23 at the St. Pete Times Forum (tickets are available: $208 for six games, call (813) 301-6600 or go to sptimesforum.com.

This week's Tampa Bay NCAA basketball memory:

Michigan State 68, Florida 46

March 23, 2003

St. Pete Times Forum

Coach Billy Donovan's No. 2-seeded Gators, playing before a partisan Florida crowd, failed to reach the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, dropping a dismal second-round decision to No. 7 Michigan State. The Spartans shot 55.6 percent from the field, while Florida was limited to 37.2 percent (including a combined 4-for-21 performance from starters Matt Bonner, Matt Walsh and Anthony Roberson).

Joey Johnston

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