Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl is worried about Arkansas, and it’s not necessarily because of Arkansas’ killer resume or road record (2-6).
You see, a big win against then-No. 2 Kentucky on Saturday was great for the No. 16 Volunteers (21-7, 9-5 SEC) but the reality is this — human nature is hard to deny. Either players’ heads gets too big or you look over the next opponent, which seems like an easy win.
And like it or not Hog fans, Arkansas doesn’t exactly match the talent of a team like Kentucky. So when Arkansas travels to Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Hog fans should hope for human nature to kick in for the Vols.
Meanwhile, Pearl is doing everything he can to stop it after their 74-65 victory against Kentucky.
“There is always emotionally a big worry. It’s human nature. You do everything you can to combat it, and yet it still exists,” Pearl said of letdown games. “… What you accomplished is so difficult and something that’s going to stay with you the rest of time. But it’s over now.”
Tennessee is 14-1 at home this season, including wins over then-No. 1 Kansas and, of course, Kentucky. The upset of Kansas came during the Vols’ tumultuous times this season, when Tyler Smith was in the process of being kicked off the team and three other players were suspended.
Arkansas (14-15, 7-7) had its fair share of disadvantages earlier this season as well. The Hogs battled injuries (Michael Washington, Mike Sanchez and Rotnei Clarke) and suspensions. The most important and costly suspension was that of point guard Courtney Fortson, who missed the first 14 games of the season.
In a way, Pearl believes, some teams can have an advantage with players returning from suspensions. For one, those players are fresh. Secondly, the backups get some valuable playing time and experience.
“The guys were getting out there and playing, were really enjoying the opportunity to play,” Pearl said. “And that’s what happened with us when the roster got shuffled. There were some guys not playing a lot (and they) started playing a lot and they really responded well and helped us.”
While the country stands in awe at the job Pearl has done — suspensions or not — Pearl is impressed with Arkansas’ early SEC run with Fortson back in the mix. Even if Arkansas has lost its last three games.
“Courtney Fortson has played so well in the SEC for lots of reasons. One of them is he’s a great player,” Pearl said. “The second is you gain appreciation a little bit more once you have the opportunity taken away from you a little bit.”
Come Wednesday night, history is stacked against Arkansas. The Razorbacks have won just once (a 73-69 win in 2006) at Tennessee since the 1993-94 season.
Arkansas hopes to be full speed. Washington, who returned Saturday against Vanderbilt after missing a game with a sprained ankle, will be re-evaluated this afternoon. Coach John Pelphrey did not have an update this morning during the SEC’s weekly teleconference.
“I know there has been some contact between himself and getting some of the treatments and stuff,” Pelphrey said. “We’ll wait until practice to see where it’s all at.”
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
Don’t worry Mr.Pearl, the hogs won’t let you down. only hog fans.