Courtney Fortson is officially no longer a Razorback. It was announced today that he has signed with an agent and is entering the NBA draft.
That means that out of coach(?) Pelphrey’s 2006-07 recruiting class of six players, only Rotnei Clarke remains (and he was recruited by Stan Heath). Gone are Fortson, Andre Clark, Brandon Moore, Jason Henry, and Montrell McDonald. As I’ve said previously, with this many failures, it is hard to have any faith in Pelphrey’s ability to recruit and develop quality players. The future of Razorback basketball is alarmingly bleak.
I’ve also criticized Frank Broyles for running off Mike Anderson when we had the chance to make him Nolan’s successor. After another successful season this year coaching at Missouri, Anderson was courted by Oregon. He ultimately turned them down. In a semi-related note, Arkansas’ top prospect for next season, 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward Ricardo Ratliffe, recently bailed on Arkansas and will join Anderson at Mizzou.
However, while the speculation about Anderson’s decision concerning Oregon was ongoing, ESPN reported this little tidbit:
“Sources close to Anderson say that if he were to leave Missouri, the job at Arkansas–if open–is one he’d have strong interest in.”
What are we waiting for?
Nice find on the ESPN nugget. Wow.
Anderson would be sweet. In defense of the current coaching staff, Broyles handling of the bball program has made it tough on the coaches after Richardson.
I wonder if the problem was only Frank, or something more? If only Frank, then the university should do whatever it can to get Anderson back. First game of the season would be a sellout.
If not, and the current trend persists, I think a fair matchup would be Arkansas vs. Harding. Or Lyon. Or something similarly small and non-athletic. Maybe we should join a mid-major.
I’ve long wondered if Anderson missed us, or was content to put his history at Arkansas behind him. I sure hope Jeff Long is aware of this.
Beefcake, I suspect the relevant question is not whether Jeff Long is aware of this, but whether Anderson would in fact come, and if so, what it would take to get him. With all the attention Anderson gets from Arkansas fans (and boosters, surely), Long probably has Mike Anderson in his dreams at night.
[...] Mid-Riffs pointed out this little nugget, though: Sources close to Anderson say that if he were to leave Missouri, the job at Arkansas–if open–is one he’d have strong interest in. [...]