CSNbbs

3. Memphis vs. Arkansas

Series history: Razorbacks lead 11-10

Last meeting: Memphis 72, Arkansas 67 (2003)

Why did the series stop? Arkansas and Memphis played annually from 1991-2003 until then-Tigers coach John Calipari abruptly halted the series. Aware that the Razorbacks had recruited former stars such as Todd Day, Corey Beck, Ron Huery, Dwight Stewart and Arlyn Bowers from Memphis, Calipari believed he could shut down that pipeline by limiting Arkansas' presence in the city. Perhaps its coincidence or perhaps not, but Arkansas has fallen on hard times since then and hasn't lured anymore elite players from Memphis.

Will the series restart? New Arkansas coach Mike Anderson is a former Nolan Richardson aide who will surely make recruiting Memphis a greater priority once again, but Tigers coach Josh Pastner has no intentions of making it any easier for the Razorbacks. Pastner told an Arkansas radio station last month that the Razorbacks have approached him about restarting the series, but he has turned them down. "The bottom line is, where I stand, a lot of these teams want to recruit in Memphis," Pastner said. "Why do I want to help them out?"

hahahahaha love to hear about the Hogs wanting to play somebody, and getting shut down!

(06-01-2011 05:52 PM)eh9198 Wrote: [ -> ]hahahahaha love to hear about the Hogs wanting to play somebody, and getting shut down!

Pastner is no fool. Why would he take a chance of letting the Chickenhawgs get a foot back in the Memphis door? Anderson may steal a player or two out of there anyway, although recruiting was Mizzou fans biggest (only?) complaint about Anderson. They were pretty pissed that Pelphrey came up and stole BJ Young right out from under Anderson's nose.

They didn't steal him. Anderson was overloaded at the guard position, and another guard, although a good one, didn't fit his recruiting plans. And you don't have to play a game in a city to recruit there. I think Pastner is being a little paranoid if that's the reason he doesn't want to play Arkansas. Sounds like the Hogs paranoia when it comes to playing in state teams. Juvenile if you ask me. But nobody did.