In the Lane

No Porter, no glitter

SCOTT CAIN
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

It's difficult -- since star forward Chris Porter was suspended three games and as many losses ago -- to appreciate the depth of Auburn's mediocrity by just reading the box scores.
It's easy, and shocking, to see the Tigers' decline by watching them play, which Hogs fans and a CBS television audience of roughly 40 percent of the country did Sunday.
A couple of SEC coaches have insisted that point guard Doc Robinson is the player who makes the difference for Auburn. But it's clear that without Porter, the Tigers are limited offensively, struggle to get the key rebounds and play with less confidence.
"Like on the two free-throw rebounds Arkansas got at the end," forward Mack McGadney said, "who knows, Porter could have got them two. But we can't dwell on the fact that Porter is not here. We can't say it was a one-man show."
Porter effectively is preparing for his NBA career after accepting $2,500 from an agent's representative and subsequently being suspended. The school has appealed, but the NCAA is unlikely to show mercy.

NOT HALF BAD
The Razorbacks haven't abandoned their full-court game, but they have shown increasing patience in the half-court offense lately.
Time and again Sunday, players worked the ball around the perimeter, penetrated, passed back out and started the process again until they found an open shot. Sophomore guard Teddy Gipson finished one of the best examples when he faked two defenders into the air, sliced through the lane and flicked in a layup with a second left on the shot clock midway through the second half.
"We're maturing," Gipson said. "We're settling down and able to look for a good shot. We realize it's helping us."

SCHEDULING QUIRK
Auburn has played three consecutive years on Arkansas' senior day and has lost each time.
"I'd love to give that reign to somebody else," Tigers Coach Cliff Ellis said.

FINAL WORD
Auburn's players quit playing defense in the final seconds with the outcome settled, but Razorbacks guard Brandon Dean wasn't done. Standing alone near the baseline, Dean took advantage of the inattentive Tigers by hammering in a double-pump, reverse dunk.
"Coach was saying on the sideline, 'Finish them up strong,' and it was our last [regular-season] game here," Dean said. "So I just wanted to give the crowd a little something extra to go home with."

This article was published on Monday, March 6, 2000

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