FAYETTEVILLE — There was bedlam and unbridled joy.
The Arkansas Razorbacks stormed the court like they had just beaten Duke to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
Some of that was because they had just beaten Kentucky in overtime. Some of it was just relief for finding a way to win instead of lose.
Perhaps some of it was that the questions would stop about their relationship with Coach John Pelphrey and now they can focus on the final three games, all winnable.
Overtime usually favors the home team, but it leaned even more heavily toward the Hogs since Kentucky played seven guys and six of the mended up playing at least 39 minutes.
The Wildcats’ legs turned them into Mildcats in overtime, and it showed as they attempted 11 shots and made only three.
On the other hand, the Razorbacks attempted six shots and made three, but one was a three-pointer, and when the Wildcats’ final shot was long, the Hogs had survived.
Was the victory over that Kentucky team good enough to get the wolves away from Pelphrey’s door?
It sure didn’t hurt.
It might have helped a little more if Kentucky had been loaded with one-and-done players - those kids who pretend to be students for a year to satisfy the NBA’s rule and then declare for the NBA Draft.
Instead, this is an unusual team for John Calipari. All of his players should return, and need to return. If they do, they’ll be better, much better, next season.
Despite the Wildcats losing six SEC road games by a total of 18 points, they are still losses and that will hurt on Selection Sunday. In fact, it might take them winning the SEC Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament, unless they can finish with victories over Florida, Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
As for those celebrating Hogs, they played hard and refused to spit the bit when Kentucky stared them in the eye with a final furlong to go.
They got 48 combined points from Rotnei Clarke, who made 11 of 12 free throws, and Marshawn Powell, who also had 10 rebounds. Powell might not like Pelphrey, but he didn’t play like it Wednesday night.
“When we get a minimum of 35 from those guys combined, we have a chance,” Razorbacks assis tant coach Tom Ostrom said.
What the victory did was give the Hogs total control of when they play in the SEC Tournament.
They are tied with Mississippi State, which lost to LSU, for second place. Runner-up gets a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament in Atlanta.
If the Hogs win out they are guaranteed that because one of their final three opponents is Mississippi State.
Three more victories and Jeff Long’s decision about Pelphrey becomes much more difficult, too.
A 9-7 SEC record and 20-10 overall aren’t great, but they are better.
Win the last four in the regular season and two in the conference tournament and the memories of Florida and Texas - 30-plus-point losses - aren’t quite as harsh.
Losses to LSU, Georgia and Ole Miss become history.
Granted, two of the final three games are on the road and the Hogs are 1-5 when traveling, but they will finish 3-3 against the stronger Eastern Division.
One thing about Wednesday night’s game, it definitely was a reminder of the glory days and how the Hogs could find a way to win the close ones.
Pelphrey probably helped himself by beating his alma mater, and more than likely he controls his future with the Razorbacks.
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/25/2011