One Win Away From the Title

I attended last night's game at Bud Walton Arena where the Hogs beat Austin Peay 89-80 in the opening game of the inaugural Jim Thorpe Classic.

To say I was disappointed that there were no chants of "Let's Go Peay! Let's Go Peay!" last night is an understatement. Apparently, the school's fans don't travel well for weeknight non-conference games close to holidays, because I didn't notice one Peay brain cheering for the Governors all night. The Govs put up a good fight, as I knew they would, but in the end it was a Rotnei Clarke three that put the dagger in Austin Peay with just over a minute remaining in a well contested game.

Halftime featured the trampoline jumping boys known as the Memphis Grizzlies Dunk Team. I don't think I'm going out on limb either by saying that their dunk team is better than the actual Memphis Grizzlies.

Michael Washington was pretty much unstoppable against an under-sized Peay team and ended up with 24 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out. Courtney Fortson was outstanding again with 20 points, 7 boards, and 7 assists.

Now, the Razorbacks stand on the verge of greatness. They are one win away from staking claim to being The Jim Thorpe Classic champions! A defining moment in Pelphrey's career. A stepping stone for the young Razorbacks that could propel them on to greatness this season. Only Stephen F. Austin stands in the way on Saturday. I can't wait to see the Hogs hoist that Jim Thorpe Classic trophy above their heads and cut down the nets in the arena. What a joyous occasion it will be!

Speaking of Jim Thorpe... does anyone else find the tournament/classic name a bit odd? Thorpe, considered one of the greatest American athletes of all-time played professional baseball, basketball, football, and won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, and he hails from the great state of... Oklahoma?

Yes, Thrope was born in Oklahoma and attended school in his early years there, but as far as I can tell didn't venture into Arkansas except to possibly escape the white man from time to time.

Excuse me, but what in the name of Houston Nutt Razorback Stadium is going on here?

Is the University of Oklahoma hosting the Bill Clinton Invitational this year? Did I miss the announcement that the University of Texas is tipping off with the Barry Switzer Shootout over the Christmas holiday?

I'm not denying Thorpe's greatness, and name recognition, but how did this come about? I'm sure it has come up and been explained somewhere at sometime, and I missed it obviously. If you can inform and educate the Hog Tale to the reason behind it, we would greatly appreciate it.

Until then, here's hoping the Hogs use The Jim Thorpe Classic championship as a springboard to propel them into dominating SEC play when it begins in a few weeks.


Check out the Rotnei Clarke slam dunk late in the game that was the nail in the coffin for Austin Peay.