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Adams: Hill is a hero for Arkansas with 'horse' shot
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ATLANTA - Can the SEC basketball tournament get any stranger?
First, a tornado hits the Georgia Dome on Friday night, postpones one game and moves the entire tournament to Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the Georgia Tech campus Saturday.
Next, Georgia is forced to play a day-night doubleheader - first, against Kentucky in a high-noon tipoff; later, against Mississippi State in a game that didn't begin until almost 9 p.m.
Then, along comes Arkansas' Steven Hill, a 7-foot center with 5-foot stats.
Before Hill decided to become a hero in the last five seconds against fourth-ranked Tennessee on Saturday night, his stat line looked like this: four fouls, four rebounds, two turnovers and no points.
No one, including his own point guard, expected him to take the shot, which knocked the Vols out of the SEC tournament, 92-91, in the semifinals.
"I thought he was going to throw it back to me," Arkansas point guard Gary Ervin said. "I was cutting to the basket."
Hill was thinking differently after receiving the pass on the baseline.
"I knew if I missed, we still had time for an offensive rebound," he said.
How's that for confidence?
But no rebound was necessary when Hill faded away from the goal and lofted the ball high over the basket.
At various times in the post-game interview, Hill referred to the shot as a "throw," a "fade away" or - Arkansas fans will probably like this one best - a "rainbow."
Don't get the wrong idea. Hill often takes the shot in practice. He takes it "joking around."
"It's my 'horse' shot," Hill said.
After his horse shot eliminated the Vols, Hill seemed amused by all the attention. But he handled it with the ease of his unexpected game-winning basket.
"Was that the biggest shot of your career?" he was asked.
It took him less than a second to answer.
"I haven't made many shots in my career," he said. "So that's definitely the biggest one."
He couldn't even remember taking a shot with the game on the line, much less making one.
But why wouldn't he make it? In a game of great shots, what was one more?
Arkansas made 55.2 percent of its field-goal tries and eight of 18 3-pointers. UT hit 54.5 percent of its field-goal tries and was a sizzling 11-for-24 from 3-point range.
It was an NBA-style game before a high school size crowd. And the 400-or-so UT fans lucky enough to have tickets after the game was moved from the Georgia Dome to the coliseum, enjoyed it until the last shot.
UT didn't lose because it was up-tight in the favorite's role. It lost because Arkansas beat it at its own game.
The Razorbacks, who didn't always play up to their potential during the regular season, looked like the second-most talented team in the SEC in matching the Vols stride for stride and shot for shot in the fast-paced game.
"UT is a great team," Arkansas All-SEC forward Sonny Weems said. "They play the same whether they're up by 21 or down by 21.
"But I think we just wanted it more than they did."
Weems also figured prominently in Arkansas' stretch run. After missing his first six shots, he made his last three, including a 3-pointer.
Before the Razorbacks' offense broke down on their last possession, Weems might have been a likely candidate to take the final shot. If not Weems, then Stefan Welsh, who hit four of six 3-pointers; or Charles Thomas, who scored 24 points; or Patrick Beverly, who had 17.
Anyone except Hill, who said with a smile, "I was probably our sixth option on the play."
But when Ervin temporarily lost his footing and almost went to the floor with the ball in hand, the possession turned topsy-turvy. And when it did, the ball wound up in Hill's hands.
He then delivered the most surprising shot of a surprising tournament.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by alfrizzle097 on March 16, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John, the wound is too fresh. Best team in UT history and we still can't get it done at Rupp or Atlanta.
Posted by murrayvol on March 16, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, it can get stranger. UGA beats Arkansas on Sunday and Felton gets a 5 year extension plus a raise. Don't see that happening but at this point I'm way past surprise at whatever transpires.
Posted by LargeOrange on March 16, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John, it seems that your writing is better after a Tennessee loss. I guess you are more comfortable when that happens. I find no fault with you in this article, but can't forgive your radio tour last month. http://www.finebaum.com/media/archive...
Posted by 02champs on March 16, 2008 at 3:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Adams.......it worked...!!!..you picked the winning team...the hogs..!!!!
Posted by 02champs on March 16, 2008 at 3:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, and that magic moment when Vickie Fulmer storms through the press box and calls Gary Lundy an SOB (actually a two-faced &*#$) and everybody (press) secretly laughs...
Posted by knoxsingle on March 16, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, don't read columns by Adams.
Posted by littleorange on March 16, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John your best column will be your last column in Knoxville!!!!!!!
Posted by Bigger_Al on March 16, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adam's breath smells like poo.
Posted by pdhuff on March 16, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When you score 91 points, you shouldn't lose. But that's why they play the game.
Sonny Weems "I think we just wanted it more than they did". Telling. You play a great game on offense, but little "D" and you get the result.
Big inside teams always hurt us, rebounding edge to Arkie.
Well, let's move on to the Dance and see what we can do. Go Vols.
Posted by sdye16 on March 16, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem with this team is they get comfortable. They had a 9 point lead, and choked. It's very hard for me to say this, but they looked a bit like the Buzz Peterson teams: getting a lead, yet finding a way to lose. Arkansas didn't find a way to win last night; UT found a way to lose. And I am a supporter of Adams because he tells it as he sees it. He's an opinion writer. Either accept it, or just don't read it. It's not that hard.
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 16, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoooo. Glad to hear that is Adams breath we smell. There for a minute, I thought Kingsport had eaten beans and drank Vodka again. He allegedly blew off the roof at the SEC Championship Game.
Posted by rockyknox on March 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I started reading sdye16's negative comments and it sounded just like little Johnny Adams. And there at the end was support for little Johnny. He must be an Adams disciple.
Posted by zanebreeding on March 16, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant agree with much of this team getting comfortable. They found a way to lose??????? This team has repeatedly found a way to win all season long , the idea that they found a way to lose is ridiculous. They simply got beat by a good basketball team on a given night , it happens. Loftons missed free throw , Ramars missed free throws, Loftons missed jumper, crappy calls all game, the point is there are tons of things you can point the finger at but in the end we played a pretty solid game with the exception of defense , we cant stop anyone off the freakin dribble. Arkansas played a great ball game and thats what happens sometimes in the SEC , its obvious from UGA that anyone can beat anyone on any given night. Although i will agree that we dont hold a lead or put anyone away like we should , i have never not one time at all this season seen this Tennessee basketball team get comfortable. They play tough and scappy all game long.
Posted by johnlg00 on March 16, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you, zane. Arkansas has underachieved all season until the SEC tournament. There are probably four guys on that team who will play pro ball. When we make the kinds of mistakes zane cited, we can lose to any decent team. Who would have thought Lofton would miss three free throws, one of them the first of a one-and-one, in the clutch? They dominated us in the post all night, mostly because we didn't defend the way CBP wanted us to. Even then, it took a miracle shot to beat us. We can still do damage in the NCAAs, but we have to bring our best every night to live up to our potential.
Posted by CrankE on March 16, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Didn't see much pressing last night. They did it a couple of times early, got burned deep, then gave up on what has been their bread and butter.
Too much hot-dog plays, too little defense. Letting the homeless guy hit the game winner was disgusting.
Posted by etsuvol99 on March 16, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sonny Weems "I think we just wanted it more than they did." So if Lofton's shot had not rimmed-out, would that mean UT wanted it more?
Good idea using so many quotes, John, as somebody suggested yesterday. The less you have to make stuff up, the better.
Large, I can't believe what I'm hearing on your Finebaum link.
Adams has 15 screen names so he can come in and defend himself.
Posted by tennrich1 on March 16, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was TOTALLY disappointed with the extreme filth that came out of the mouth of Brian Williams. Please, someone teach him about class while he's still a freshman. I think he will really be a great low post player for us but I can't stand to watch that type of display for 3 years....
Posted by knoxsingle on March 16, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've decided to name my nutsack John Adams.
Posted by rockyknox on March 16, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Knoxsinlge, you are being too kind.
Posted by knoxsingle on March 16, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, rockyknox, I sharted right before I decided that. It factored into the decision.
Posted by tenndave on March 16, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My take is this. Pearl set up the final defense to a textbook case. If they shoot make sure it is the only player on the floor without apoint. We did it right, he came through. Game over.
Now, my concern was when we jumped out to a 9 point lead with 6 min we seem to let up and hot dog and do the spectacular dunks etc. Ark turned it on and put themselves in a place to win even if it was with an unlikely hero.
It will cost us a no. 1 seed. Either way though I believe if we were No. 1 we would be bracketed with the highest no. 2 seed, Kansas or Texas. As a No. 2 seed a NC matchup will probably await if we can get throught the Big East teams in that region. I actually like this because if we are going to win it all, let's beat NC to do it.
Go Vols, its win or go home time. Either way, what a graat season.
Posted by chipper10 on March 16, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Free throws cost us the game. Sure, we should have played better defense, but look at the second half free throw stats. I think Arkansas only missed one free throw and we missed at least 5 or 6 and some of them were front end of one and one's. If Arkansas had missed a few more and we make a few more, we win by at least six and we are predicting a championship.
Making free throws wins tournament games.
Posted by mtnvol on March 16, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've been a Jack A$$ hater for a long time and really don't apologize for it. Usually it only takes me 2 paragraphs to say "what a jack a$$" when reading his articles. But this one is different. Instead of an opinion piece (where he usually swings and misses), today's offering wasn't stupid. Great writing for a cub reporter!
Maybe a change in job descript is in order? Can the KNS place Jack A$$ where he can be most successful? If not separated from the affection of the KNS, maybe reporting on the games and nothing else?
Posted by utmdm on March 16, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tennrich1, I was disgusted with William's language also. I think he used every word in the book.
I found it distasteful that John Pelphrey got into verbal sparring with Juan. I expect a coach to have more professionalism and self control.
Posted by 1974Vol on March 16, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The hogs shot free throws better than they have all year; shot lights out from the field - I think they made they're last 7 shots of the game and still all we have to do to win is make our free throws down the stretch. CLo misses front end of 1 & 1, then Remar misses both of 2, then CLo only makes 1 of 2. Meanwhile Hogs are making 12 in a row. Its as simple as that.
Posted by mtnvol on March 16, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LO, thanks for the finebaum link. Not only does Jack A$$ think the coaching staff must turn over, he also thinks the LSU fans are far superior to everyone in the world.
Posted by TheVolMan on March 16, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, knoxsingle's nut has a name. Guess that's why he's single. Aren't you due for a boycott of the KNS along with the other whiners?
Posted by feathersax on March 17, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally, somebody refers to the total lack of class by Pelphrey! So he's an "adult"? Players trash talk (which gets out of hand at times), but a head coach should have more self-control than Pelphrey showed. He wasn't saying "You're FUN" to JaJuan. We'll remember, hog-breath.
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