Razorback Report: Nutt advised by Richardson to follow plan

ROB KEYS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

For the first time in his two-plus years at Arkansas, Coach Houston Nutt is hearing more than just isolated criticism from media and fans alike. Despite a 4-2 record and widespread injuries, Nutt is being questioned when it comes to how the Razorbacks have performed in losses to Georgia and South Carolina.
Arkansas basketball Coach Nolan Richardson has been down the road Nutt is traveling more than once, and offered him some advice.
"He's created the monster, and now he's got to feed it," Richardson said.
"I talked to him [Tuesday]. I talk to him every time he loses. I don't talk to him when he wins. I'd rather talk to a guy when he loses, because you don't need friends when you win. You need them when you lose."
And what words of wisdom did Richardson have for Nutt?
"I tell coaches all the time, 'Don't second-guess yourself. I don't care what they write, I don't care who talks. You know the game. You wouldn't be here if you didn't. Just go play and keep your plan, and before you know it, that plan will work because you believe in it,' " Richardson said.
" 'The best thing to do is cancel the newspapers, cancel the talk shows, cancel anything out there, and just focus on what you're doing. Stay to yourself, talk to your coaches. Stay focused and good things may turn out.' "
Richardson speaks from experience as recent as last season, when he drew heavy fire for comments he made while his team struggled through the regular season. The Razorbacks, however, eventually won the SEC Tournament and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
"We were dead last year," Richardson said. "Everybody put us in the casket, but as I told our kids, all sickness is not death, and our kids turned it around and found out, 'Coach is right.' "

HAMPTON AND CLARK ADVENTURE
Perhaps no two players will be watched more closely than quarterbacks Robby Hampton and Zak Clark as Arkansas goes through bye-week workouts in preparation for its Oct. 28 game at Auburn.
The quarterbacks are hobbled with injuries, but both practiced Tuesday. Hampton is nursing a sprained thumb and neck and a bruised knee. Clark has a sprained right ankle that was heavily taped and caused him to limp noticeably.
"I was proud of both Robby and Zak for sucking it up and going through some things when I know they were in some pain, and really trying to work hard to get better," Coach Houston Nutt said.
Clark made it through individual and position drills, but had to leave practice after getting his ankle "stung" during team drills, according to trainer Dean Weber.
Nutt said a defender stepped on Clark.
"It's just hard when you can't protect yourself ... you're just asking for it," Nutt said.

WILLIAMS, JOHNSON OUT
Wide receiver Boo Williams (shoulder) and bandit Derrick Johnson (knee) did not practice Tuesday, and are not expected to return any time soon.
Trainer Dean Weber said Williams will be re-evaluated on Sunday or Monday. Johnson is wearing a brace that covers most of his leg, and is trying to regain full range of motion. He is not expected to practice this week, and is questionable for the Auburn game.

ADD MELTON
Sophomore center Josh Melton had his name added to Arkansas' considerable injury list on Tuesday.
Melton suffered a concussion against South Carolina and has been bothered by headaches.
Offensive line coach Mike Markuson said Melton will return when the headaches stop.
"I know he's going to practice hard and go hard," Markuson said. "He's not a guy that's going to try to miss practice. He's a trustworthy guy that way."
With Melton out, right guard Kenny Sandlin moved to center. Sandlin started four games at center last season before moving to guard.
Redshirt freshman Scott Davenport took Sandlin's place at right guard.

BYE THE NUMBERS
Bye weeks have been very kind to Arkansas under Coach Houston Nutt. With Nutt as coach, the Razorbacks are 5-0 in games played after a bye week, outscoring opponents by a combined 184-85.
Two of those five victories came against Auburn, Arkansas' next opponent. The Razorbacks beat the Tigers 24-21 in 1998 and 34-10 last season. The 24-21 victory is the only time Arkansas has played a road game following a bye week.
The Hogs will get another chance when they travel to Auburn on Oct. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

SCOUTING AUBURN
Auburn (5-2, 3-2 SEC) is coming off a 38-7 loss at No. 8 Florida. Gators quarterback Rex Grossman earned SEC offensive player of the week honors for his performance in that game. Grossman, who leads the nation in passing efficiency with a 195.7 rating, completed 14 of 23 passes for 232 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Auburn hopes to rebound from the loss -- and tune up for Arkansas -- at its homecoming against a 2-5 Louisiana Tech team on Saturday. Auburn opened the season 5-0 and was ranked as high as No. 15 before suffering back-to-back losses to Mississippi State (now ranked No. 13) and Florida.

This article was published on Wednesday, October 18, 2000

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