Razorback Basketball -- Work in Progress

Nate Allen writes today about "hope" for the Razorback basketball team. Although we've not written much in the blog about the basketball team, we have been paying close attention to how the team "looks" this year. This is my take at this point.

We are 1) tougher and 2) either better coached, or finally taking to the coaching, or maybe just one year older and more experienced, or a combination of all three (my bet). The team shows a lot more promise than at this time last year.

Ronnie Brewer is obviously the key to this team. He is much better than last year. However, not to take anything away from him, I'm not ready to declare him a lottery pick. Maybe by year end, but not now. But he is very, very good. Beyond Ronnie, every player back from last year appears improved.

Several things show promise. Defense, transition game, offensive sets, player and ball movement (at times), court savy, teamwork. Are these good enough to take us to the highest level of college basketball? Not yet. We are growing, will continue to grow during the year, and we will see growing pains. Interior defense, big people in foul trouble (Hill), may struggle in physical games, offensive stagnation will still occur at times and we will have periods of time we struggle for points. We are not there yet.

The team did not grow and progress last year as I expected it would. This year's version will be challenged to grow and progress. Expect a work in progress.