Some of the best memories I have of college are sitting the Barnhill Arena at the University of Arkansas watching Nolan Richardson’s Hogs play basketball. ’40 Minutes of Hell’ was the motto. Nolan had those boys running full court presses the entire game. I would sit with my buddies in the student section wearing some ridiculous Hog Hat or something other and yell my little heart out! “ARKANSAS!!!! RAZORBACKS!!!!”
Lee Mayberry, Todd Day, Oliver Miller were the big three. MAY-DAY would come in and sink 3 pointers all day long. Here is great excerpt from Sports Illustrated in 1990:
“You have descended into the Hades of College Basketball: Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville. This is where the Razorbacks create and perfect the torture sessions that Coach Nolan Richardson fondly calls 40 minutes of hell. Arkansas attacks opponents at both ends of the floor with a two-platoon, perpetual-pressure system that’s as dizzying as Richardson’s polka-dot shirts. Last season that scheme propelled the Hogs into the Final Four; this season, its strength still lies in the dynamic talents of two players who are as tenacious as Cerberus – Lee Mayberry and Todd Day. Mayberry, a 6-2 junior point guard, plays with the grim mien of an undertaker. Don’t be deceived, though, by his quiet manner.”
Nolan wasn’t able to win the title in those years but he laid the foundation that would eventually get the Hogs a National Championship in 1994. With the success came the new arena, Bud Walton Arena.
I do recall the football games but I have to tell you the spring semester was some of my best times. There is nothing like acting a fool in a basketball arena cheering on a team that deserves your admiration.
I remember by cousin Darrin was a 6’0 white boy who could play ball. He was older (I think he was in his 1st year of grad school) but he would play ball and practice with Oliver (The Big O). I met him once when I was messing around with Darrin. You would think that a student would run across a student athelete on campus. I often wondered what classes The Big O was enrolled in.. haha
Well this year the new Razorback team is tough. Led by their new coach, Mike Anderson, has a group of men that remind me of the 40 Minutes of Hell. I just finished watching a great game on ESPN against Vanderbilt. Nolan was in the stands looking good with his grey-hair. I tell you what, the Hogs have themselves some YOUNG players. Two great freshman…. A natural ball scorer in BJ Young and a 6’11 good ole Arkansas homegrown boy Hunter Mickelson. 4 years from now there are going to be a ton of NBA scouts passing through ‘The Bud” (Bud Walton Arena).
With tonight’s win these new Hogs are 16-0 at home (in The Bud). If they can just catch on a few wins on the road they will be noticed by the Selection Committee and if they get “hot” at the right time could make a serious run in the March Madness. Watch out folks…. The Hogs are coming.
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