Bill's Blog: Mmmmm Donuts

1:57 p.m. — There’s the final score, Auburn 73, Arkansas 51. Razorbacks battle a lot of adversity today, notably not having Marcus Monk available. Next game is Jan. 29 with Alabama. Good afternoon from Walton Arena.

1:56 p.m. — A foul on Cox with 11 seconds left looks like it will guarantee the Razorbacks going scoreless the final 6:35 of the game. Auburn dribbles out the clock.

1:55 p.m. — Next week for Alabama, no blog as the women are on the road. Again — just a reminder.

1:54 p.m. — Neither team can find the rim right now, but Lebo’s going to call a 30 second time out with 1:05 left and leading 71-51.

1:53 p.m. — Final media time out. Razorbacks haven’t scored since Marcus Britt’s jumper at 6:35. Its a 10 point run, and part of a 15-2 total surge by the Tigers down the stretch.

1:52 p.m. — Advance warning — if the blog ends suddenly, I’ve reached that point of no return for my drive out to the women’s basketball charter sitting at Drake Field.

1:46 p.m. — Tigers call time out and extend their lead to 16, 67-51. The Tigers’ shot has "cooled" to 46% and 43% from three-point range, but the damage is done. The three has been the way for Auburn as the Tigers have shot almost half of their field goals to this point (23, with 56 total taken).

1:43 p.m. — Speaking of time, Pelphrey is now out of time outs as he’ll call his full. Hogs down 10, 61-51.

1:41 p.m. — Lebo continues to wind clock with passing around the perimeter. The patience occasionally pays off like this trip with a deep shot for Reed to take the lead back to 9, Razorbacks counter with Marcus Britt and it’s back to seven. That is the problem now — Arkansas is trading baskets and Auburn is killing time.

1:40 p.m. — Time for some housekeeping. For those who missed the blog during the Miss State game and complained — thank you for the compliment. It’s one reason why I’m giving this a try today. By try I mean that I’ll be here until I have to leave with the women’s basketball team flight. See, when there is home men’s basketball and road women’s basketball — no blog. But you can listen to me on the radio broadcasts if you really miss me.

1:37 p.m. — Oh my, it’s the RazorVision camera in my face.

1:37 p.m. — Welsh goes racing into the stands for a loose ball. Can’t get there in time, but it takes us to the third media time out of the half.

1:35 p.m. — See-saw pace that neither team is able to control for long. For example, Hogs get a stop, and another chance to shoot at a five-point lead only to make a turnover.

1:31 p.m. — Welsh drains one that brings the crowd to its feet, and cuts the Auburn lead to only five, 52-47.

1:29 p.m. — Second media timeout of the half. Razorbacks shooting only 28% in the second half while Auburn is going 50% for the half.

1:25 p.m. — Crowd trying to get into the game by raising the volume on defense. Auburn is methodical now with the ball, walking it up the court and taking as much clock as possible. They maintain a seven point lead after a Welsh three-pointer, 50-43.

1:23 p.m. — Tigers get nothing but a view of Sanchez’ arm pit as the Razorback forward rejects the DeWayne Reed clock-beating drive.

1:22 p.m. — Sanchez powers down low for two, and earns the foul on his drive. He closes out the three-point play, and the crowd comes to life. The Walton Roar takes over as Auburn milks the shot clock.

1:20 p.m. — Clock is fixed but not the Arkansas scoring. Auburn extends back to a 10-point margin, 46-36, and Coach Pel takes another 30-second time out. Weve not had the after 16:00 media time out, unless during the repair of the shot clock at 16:07, TV went ahead and got it out of the way.

1:15 p.m. — Fortson drives it down the lane with a closing spin move into the middle for the hoop, then earns the harm. As the teams get ready to shoot Fortson’s free throw, the shot clock above the home bucket goes dark. The officials call a time out for the repair.

1:14 p.m. — One leather-lunged fans takes strategic use of the silence in the arena for Michael Sanchez free throws, making full use of his First Amendment rights.

1:11 p.m. — Washington goes to the floor trying to corral a rebound, crowd gets rather upset. On the other end, Razorbacks Fortson gets the foul and free throws for Barber. It will bring out the boos and whistles from the crowd. Barber misses both.

1:08 p.m. — Lots of missed shots for both sides, but Auburn has managed a 4-0 run to open the second half and a 42-31 lead. Pel calls a timeout to discuss the situation with his team.

1:06 p.m. — Goal tending on Washington.

1:05 p.m. — Razorbacks inbound to start the second half.

1:02 p.m. — Razorbacks return to the floor with 3 on the clock.

12:59 p.m. — Athletic Director Jeff Long presents the $5,000 check from the Pontiac Game Changing Play of the Week to the University for veterans scholarships. Thanks to on-line voting by Razorback fans, that $5K goes to the hard-working U.S. vets who seek to return to Arkansas after their service. Of course, we made the finals of the national contest for the overall prize.

12:58 p.m. — Hey, is that Darren McFadden in the Courtside Club seats?

12:54 p.m. — Crowd comes to its feet for football team and The Boot.

12:52 p.m. — Halftime opens with dance line working to Money, then Working for the Weekend. The costumes are "business suits" and Brandon Burlesworth-like glasses. Closing with Work Hard for the Money. Outfits are complete with silver briefcases a la Deal or No Deal. All money and working theme songs.

12:49 p.m. — A flurry to tip in chances as the clock expires and the teams head to the locker room with Auburn leading, 38-31.

12:48 p.m. — Courtney wriggles downtown again, and draws the foul from Reed. Two shots — first is good, and so is second. 38-31, and Razorbacks full court zone press.

12:47 p.m. — Make it three straight trey misses, with Fortson going one-on-three to the floor for the rebound. Pel saves his point guard from the tie up with a timeout. 59.3 left, Auburn 38-29, Razorbacks to inbound on their far baseline.

12:46 p.m. — Fortson serpentines the lane for two, 38-29, Auburn, less than a minute.

12:45 p.m. — Tigers go 1-of-5 from the field — including a pair of clanking three-point attempt — since the media time out. By no coincidence, a ice storm warning has been issued for Washington County (that part, is not a joke).

12:44 p.m. — The Razorback band director, Jeremy Pritchard, has the crowd on its feet. Tigers respond with a brick.

12:44 p.m. — Final media timeout of first half and the Tigers are holding on to their lead at 36-27. 52% from the field and 72% from the line will do that for you.

12:41 p.m. — Razorback football players just started moving past the media section into the tunnel. Big halftime presentation today.

12:40 p.m. — Sanchez at the line trying to stop a 10-4 Auburn run. He gets the first of two, and Welsh check back in. Sanchez gets the second, and Cox checks in for Sanchez. With Monk unavailable, Pel will keep a close eye on his big guys time.

12:38 p.m. — Welsh goes up for a rebound and gets spun in midair from his collision with Barber. He lands full weight on his lower back, and hobbles off the court down the tunnel with Razorback trainer in pursuit. Likely a stinger or charley horse, he’s back out on the bench showing just a little soreness. It was very dramatic on the replay.

12:36 p.m. — After a 30 second Arkansas time out, Fortson slides down the line for an acrobatic floater.

12:34 p.m. — An Auburn three-point miss, hey that’s more news than a make.

12:33 p.m. — Robertson hits another three — now 8-of-10 — for Auburn.

12:31 p.m. — Washington picks up his second foul as Auburn’s Barber misses two more shots in the lane. Gets both free throws to disrupt an Arkansas mini run.

12:30 p.m. — Razorbacks are warming up with 43% from the field, but Auburn remains near flawless from behind the arc — 7-of-9. Auburn is only 2-of-8 from inside the line, but are still hitting 53% overall (78% from the three-point line).

12:28 p.m. — Welsh has the crowd going, they hit their feet on defense for the first time and the Walton Roar comes up against the Tigers. Turnover Auburn. Next trip, Washington with a big flying rejection, but the play ends with a collision that gives Sanchez his first foul. Takes us to a media timeout.

12:27 p.m. — First foul for the Razorbacks, and a little chest to chest between Welsh and Waller. Welsh comes back with the layup and the Razorbacks are back to within five, 26-21.

12:26 p.m. — Never mind, officials correct Clarke’s shot as a two. 23-16.

12:25 p.m. — Back-to-back three-pointers for the Tigers take the Auburn lead back out to nine, 23-14. Clarke gets one of them back with a trey of his own, 23-16 at 9:51 to go.

12:24 p.m. — It’s a good crowd for a chilly Saturday noon start. The lower level is functionally full, with some open seats along the baselines in the upper deck. Single game tickets for just a couple of the men’s games remain. Contact the ticket office.

12:22 p.m. — Speaking of three-point shots, when the group of former Razorbacks attending today’s game played, that wasn’t even a dream for the college game. Former players from the 1950s and 1960s are here today for a reunion among lettermen.

12:20 p.m. — Second media time out. The shooting percentages are holding up — 36% for Arkansas, 50% for Auburn. The real killer is three-point shooting. The Razorbacks have only two so far, and 2-of-7 for 28.6%. Meanwhile, the Tigers are hitting 80% for 4-of-5.

12:19 p.m. — Another Fortson drive, this time he scoops up his own miss and sticks it back in. Consecutive misses in the lane for Auburn have Arkansas back to within a possession, 15-12.

12:18 p.m. — Fortson breaks Arkansas’ scoring drought with a step-back, cross-over dribble three-pointer. Think it was hard to type, trying being Auburn’s Hargrove, who fell down in front of Fortson to leave him wide-open for the shot after the dribble move. It sets off a 5-0 run for Arkansas.

12:16 p.m. — Long three for Auburn takes it to 14-6 Tigers. Auburn will show token man pressure after the make.

12:15 p.m. — Jason Henry heads to the line for Arkansas. The Tigers already have three team fouls, and two on Barrett. Hogs miss both free throws, 14:27 on clock.

12:14 p.m. — Razorbacks get the shot off just before the shot clock, but Arkansas is hitting only 33% to Auburn’s 57% through the first media timeout. Still 11-6 Auburn.

12:12 p.m. — First media time out. Another reminder, per SEC regulations there is no streaming of men’s or women’s regular season basketball games by the institution. However, today’s game is available through the rights holder of the game — go to Yahoo sports if you need the stream.

12:11 p.m. — Auburn trying to find Barber each time down the floor against Arkansas’ man defense. He’s agile, but cannot out position Washington. Tigers try a different angle by bring Barber and Washington away from the rim, and shoot the three. It goes in for a 11-6 Auburn lead. Interesting coaching move, because it will pull the Razorbacks’ best rebounder away from the lane in case of a three-point miss.

12:09 p.m. — Clarke gets the crowd on its feet with a smooth three from the deep corner in front of Auburn’s Coach Lebo.

12:09 p.m. — Auburn’s Barber finds a seem and gets Washington airborne — missed shot, missed foul.

12:08 p.m. — Welsh strokes in a three to open the scoring.

12:07 p.m. — Tip goes out of bounds, Auburn ball; Tigers open with miss and crowd pleasing rebound by Washington.

12:03 p.m. — Washington, Sanchez, Clarke, Fortson and Welsh are today’s starters for Arkansas.

12:00 p.m. — Ever wonder what the view from the blogspot in the media area is? Well, here you are:

11:59 a.m. — New today for RazorVision members — the post-game press conference will stream live. Check your RazorVision account postgame for the icon to watch.

11:57 a.m. — Pel calls from the pregame video, "We’ve got news for you. It’s Game Time!" The Razorbacks have entered the building.

11:52 a.m. — National Anthem

11:44 a.m. — Both teams are on the court, but the Razorbacks are without one player. Marcus Monk is being withheld from the game pending a review of a compliance situation. He can still practice. A press release was just handed out to all media members.

11:28 a.m. — Now entering Bud Walton Arena, these are the Arkansas RAAAAZZZZZOORBAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKS. Clock on 33:00.

11:27 a.m. — Students enjoying the feature package that is on the RazorVision screen — Stefan Welsh.

11:23 a.m. — 40:00 on the clock and Auburn has walked off to its locker room.

11:20 a.m. — The lower student section — the Trough — is full.

11:14 a.m. — 45:00 to go until tipoff, the Razorbacks have left the floor to return to the locker room.

11:07 a.m. — 60:00, we are on the clock.

11:00 a.m. — Game clock to start soon. Most of both teams shooting.

10:46 a.m. — Most of the Auburn and Arkansas outside players are on the court testing the rims.

10:38 a.m. — Auburn has three players out with managers taking some loose shots.

10:25 a.m. — Couple of Razorbacks — Marcus Britt and Stefan Welsh — on the court for informal warmups, The students who were receiving breakfast earlier are now able to come on into the arena to their seats.

10:18 a.m. — A quick gallery of some photos from the donut handout. Does that mean that Pel has dished the donuts and earned the first assists of the day?

10:16 a.m. — At left, the Razorback women’s basketball team gets a walk-through in on a couple of defensive points with associate head coach Tim Eatman while the TV crew continues to rig for this morning’s game. The Razorback women head to the airport today at 2:30 to fly down to Starkville for Sunday’s game at Miss State.

10:15 a.m. — REMEMBER, today’s game is on Fox Sports/Raycomm as a part of the SEC package. That means there is NO live video stream through RazorVision. These are the conference rules — no men’s or women’s basketball conference games can be streamed live. We will have the replay up as fast as conference rules allow. The game is streaming as a part of the rights holder’s package.

10:10 a.m. — Going on as we type, athletic director Jeff Long is conducting a press conference for Lift Up America at the Broyles Center. The Razorbacks participate in this important project for the regional food banks. Tyson Foods donates tons of frozen meat products to local charities, and members of all Razorback athletic teams come out to help break up the pallets and load them on vehicles for the over 20 different agencies benefiting from the program.

10:04 a.m. — We’re working on posting more photos from the student donut handout. It actually took place at 9:30 as Coach Pel took a moment to come up to the concourse to show his appreciation for the students. It says two very important things. Pel understands what student participation means for his program. And, he’s got a great sense of humor to carve out some time in his pregame prep for students.

10:00 a.m. — Good morning and welcome to Fayetteville. The blog gets an early start today along with head coach John Pelphrey who greeted the first students in line for today’s game with Auburn with hot donuts and juice.