Former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson participated in Thursday’s Pro-Am of the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship. He played with Lucy Nunn, a former Arkansas golfer who now competes on the Futures Tour.

After their round at Pinnacle Country Club, Richardson spoke briefly with media members about yesterday’s news concerning Arkansas’ basketball program. Richardson was supposed to play with Pelphrey in the Pro-Am, but Pelphrey withdrew at the last minute.

Here are his comments below:

“I spoke with John (Thursday) morning, and of course, John was supposed to have played with us, but with so many things going on, that this is not one of the important things for him at this stage. The sad part, and we’re all going to face it, and it’s not so much at Arkansas, but all the universities have to be so hands on (with players). And it’s so difficult to you to have that kind of hands on with youngsters 24/7, it’s just very difficult.

“The good part, and I guess it is the good part, is that they were not charged with rape. The thing that bothers you as a parent, and I’ve got daughters, you worry so much about your girls. And of course, I have sons too, so you’re playing both parts, so it’s just an unfortunate thing that happened. That’s just something you don’t ever want to happen.

“You can sit around and talk to (the players), and I know John has done it, I’ve done it and I know other coaches do that, about their conduct off the floor. It’s just as important. And again, you try to penalize them for having bad conduct. I’m sure there will be a penalty that will fit the crime for them. Again, it’s just very difficult. This day in age, it’s even more difficult than yesteryear.

“John and I spoke this morning, he wanted to make sure that I knew that he wasn’t going to be able to do it today, and of course, I didn’t expect him to. We did talk briefly about what has happened. Again, I just said to him that my prayers go out to you, not only you, but the players and the young lady and her family. That’s just the way things work.”

Check out an audio preview of tonight’s contest by listening below with Morning News sports writers Nathan Allen and Ryan Malashock

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OK, so there’s a basketball game today in Bud Walton Arena, as Arkansas squares off Georgia in a matchup of last place teams in the SEC. But really, the main event will take place before the game and at halftime, as Arkansas’ 1994 national championship team is finally honored.

Should be a memorable day in Fayetteville, as Nolan Richardson and his assistants and players receive official recognition from the university. They’ll all sign autographs beforehand from noon to 2 p.m. and they’ll participate in a halftime ceremony.

All but two players made it back, and former assistant Mike Anderson (now Missouri’s coach) will be the only coach missing. As for the game, well, John Pelphrey’s Razorbacks have only pride left to play for; that, and they won’t want to disappoint Arkansas’ former stars.

Georgia (11-17, 2-11) at Arkansas (13-13, 1-12)
When: 3:05 p.m.
Where: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville
TV: KHOG (Cox channel 7, Cox HD channel 707)
Radio: 107.9-FM, 92.1-FM, 105.3-FM, 97.9-FM, 1290-AM in our readership area
Line: Arkansas by 9
Series: Arkansas leads 14-10 (Georgia has won past three meetings)
Last Meeting: Georgia beat Arkansas 66-57 on March 16 in the SEC Tournament championship game in Atlanta

About Georgia

The Bulldogs might be the worst team in the Eastern Division, and they have lost their coach, Dennis Felton, to a midseason firing. But they won’t be intimidated by Arkansas in any way. Georgia lost 11 straight games at one point this season.

But under interim coach Pete Herrmann, the Bulldogs have won two of their past four contests, upsetting Florida and Vanderbilt at home. Oh, and Georgia has beaten Arkansas three straight times, including in last season’s SEC Tournament title game.

Players To Watch

Arkansas
Stefan Welsh, 6-3, 185-pound junior guard

The Razorbacks’ junior leader has struggled recently with his scoring. He continued his shooting slump Wednesday at Alabama by missing 7 of his 8 shots, including all five of his 3-point attempts. Welsh hasn’t nailed a 3 in his past four games.

Georgia
Dustin Ware, 5-111, 182-pound freshman point guard

Ware has benefitted more than any Bulldog since the coaching chance. Herrmann likes playing with him at the point, and Ware has produced as of late. Ware has 44 points and 19 assists over his last four contests.

Gameday Links
• We have plenty of coverage on today’s celebration in the Morning News, provided by Robbie Neiswanger, Alex Abrams and myself. First off, here’s a ‘Where Are They Now?’ on all of the players, coaches, trainers and managers involved. Robbie wrote our main story on this weekend’s celebration. I looked into the famous game-winning shot by Scotty Thurman in the ‘94 title game. Alex had stories on Razorback fan Bill Clinton and Saturday morning’s basketball clinic put on by the ‘94 coaches and players. Also, Hawgs Illustrated’s Dudley Dawson was at Saturday night’s banquet.

• Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogged on the fact that these are the two teams that met in last year’s SEC Tournament final.

I got a chance to talk to Nolan Richardson for a few minutes yesterday.

Most of our 15-minute conversation was about the presidential inauguration, which was the subject of the column I wrote for this morning’s paper. But I did get in a couple other questions about the Razorbacks latest struggles and his return to Bud Walton Arena.

We know Richardson and the national championship team will be honored before the final home game in early March. But I remembered Richardson saying he also had hoped to attend other games this year. So far, he hasn’t been spotted in the arena. He might be soon, though, so we’re going to have to start to keep our eyes peeled.

“I was going to try to get to one,” Richardson said. “I’m not sure which one, but I’m going to try to get one or two of them hopefully before we get there (for the champoinship celebration).”

As for Arkansas’ 0-3 start, Richardson said he feels for the team and for coach John Pelphrey. Richardson said it’s not easy for a young team to rebound from the type of struggles they’re experiencing, but believes it will happen over time.

“I’m really pulling for John,” Richardson said. “I feel he’ll get it turned around. Just keep plugging away.”

Arkansas basketball fans may experience a frightening flashback tonight when they get to Bud Walton Arena or flip on their TVs. Texas Southern, winless on the season, comes to Fayetteville with little chance to upset the Razorbacks. Then again, no one expected the Lions to nearly defeat the Hogs the last time the two schools met — in the first round of the 1995 NCAA Tournament. Arkansas eked that one out 79-78. The Razorbacks should prevail by much more tonight.

Texas Southern (0-6) at Arkansas (4-1)
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Bud Walton Arena
TV: KHOG (Cox Ch. 7)
Radio: for those inside our readership area, 107.9-FM, 92.1-FM, 105.3-FM or 1290-AM

About Texas Southern

These Lions will look much like those that came close to ruining Nolan Richardson’s back-to-back appearances in the national championship game. Just like in 1995, they will press and they will play mostly zone on defense. That’s because Texas Southern is led by the same coach today as it was then. Robert Moreland is actually in his 28th season leading the Lions, who enter Bud Walton Arena with an 0-6 record that doesn’t indicate how well they have played this season. Texas Southern, a Houston-based school that competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, has narrow losses to Texas-El Paso, Northern Iowa, Marquette and Mercer.

Players To Watch

Arkansas
Rotnei Clarke, 6-foot, 184-pound freshman guard
The freshman sharp-shooter downs 3-pointers as well as any guard in the country, according to coach John Pelphrey, and he should receive plenty of chances to prove that tonight. Texas Southern will employ a 3-2 zone while in its half-court defense, leaving opportunities for Clarke to find cracks and launch 3s. Clarke leads the Razorbacks in 3s made (14) and attempted (32) and ranks second in 3-point percentage (.438) behind fellow freshman guard Courtney Fortson.
Texas Southern
Matthew Miller, 6-3, 200-pound senior guard
The native of Arlington, Texas, is the undisputed leader on and off the court for Texas Southern. Miller leads the Lions in minutes played (33.3), free throws converted and tried and ranks second in scoring (12.2). Moreland has shown that he doesn’t feel comfortable with Miller off the floor this season, as he has played Miller more than 32 minutes in five of six games. Miller’s only glaring weakness is his tendency to turn the ball over. He has 25 turnovers to go with 28 assists.

Keys For An Arkansas Victory

1. Handle Pressure
Texas Southern will attempt to press Arkansas tonight, something no team has tried so far. The Razorbacks’ young guards, led by Fortson, must show they can handle the heat.
2. Find Holes In Zone
The 3-2 zone used by Texas Southern can frustrate opponents that aren’t ready for it. Arkansas must be willing to work the shot clock to find a quality shot for shooters such as Clarke, Fortson and Stefan Welsh.
3. Frontcourt Depth
With junior Montrell McDonald still out with a suspension, Pelphrey needs his two reserve freshman forwards to step up. Andre Clark and Brandon Moore did make progress in Arkansas’ win Saturday over Florida A&M.
4. Henry’s Back
While McDonald won’t be at Bud Walton Arena tonight, freshman Jason Henry will. The 6-foot-6 guard missed three games with a suspension, and his contributions are sorely needed because of the Hogs’ thin bench.
5. Make Free Throws
Seems like this has been a key for every game. It will continue to be so until the Hogs prove they can connect on their free throws consistently. They were a bit better at 28 of 41 on Saturday.