John Pelphrey finished his postgame radio show Tuesday night and was headed for the media room when he stopped, hugged and kissed his wife, Tracy, and shook hands with his dad.

He then veered off to chat with Eddie, Patsy and Sean Sutton.

They visited a few minutes, and then the coach who has absolutely no idea of how popular he is becoming - and isn't really concerned about it - went to his news conference.

Pelphrey's relationship with the Suttons goes beyond the time he played for Eddie at Kentucky. Pelphrey was Sean's roommate at Kentucky, and they were in each other's weddings, too. And it was Pelphrey who invited Eddie Sutton to Tuesday night's game, where Eddie received a loud, warm reception when he was introduced. After the game Eddie Sutton was basking in the joy of Arkansas' hard-fought victory over Texas.

Eddie and Sean commented about what a wonderful facility Bud Walton Arena is and how great the fans have been all these years.

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Several people sought autographs and pictures of the Suttons before they left to go visit with Texas Coach Rick Barnes.

Seeing Sutton and Pelphrey visiting made for a slight pause.

John Pelphrey is part Eddie Sutton and part Nolan Richardson.

He's fiery and animated like Richardson, who added a level to the foundation Sutton laid as the Razorbacks coach, but he's deliberate and always planning his next move like Sutton.

Richardson and Sutton demanded disciplined defense; so does Pelphrey.

In some ways, this is like Pelphrey's f irst season at Arkansas.

Yes, he won a first-year record 23 games last season, but that was not his team. The six seniors and Patrick Beverley were Stan Heath's players.

Now he has his team, including Stefan Welsh and Michael Washington, who have elevated their games under Pelphrey's direction and teaching.

A year ago, it seemed there was a lot of "me" and now there's a lot of "we."

After 12 victories, it is obvious this team is buying in to Pelphrey's plan, and that has reignited Razorbacks basketball fever with the fan base.

Midway through his second season, Pelphrey is still amazed and deeply appreciative of Razorbacks fans and talks positively about them after every game.

It should be noted, too, that like the players, Pelphrey's staff is also on the same page.

It isn't as if it is Pelphrey's way or the highway, but they all have the common goals of improving and winning.

Of playing hard on both ends of the court.

During timeouts, Tom Ostrom, Rob Evans and Issac Brown can be seen counseling with individuals.

The no "I" in team includes the staff.

No one knew what to expect when this season began. Now the Hogs have swept Oklahoma and Texas, both top-10 teams and both NCAA Tournament teams, most likely high seeds.

Still, no one can know just how good this team is right now, but as witnessed Tuesday night, freshman point guard Courtney Fortson can have a freshman game and still be the driving force in a tough-fought victory.

When the announcement that there was one minute to play was made, it was drowned out first by the crowd and then by the hustle, muscle, blood, sweat and tears of those young men in Arkansas uniforms.

The last minute wasn't going to belong to anyone but them.

Those kids laid it on the line when they took the floor, and it didn't matter if they were down six or up five, it was all out on offense and defense.

They do it for the fans and for the coaches, but mostly for themselves.

Tuesday night they looked into the eyes of defeat, smelled the harshness of a loss, then doubled up and caught up.

With 22.5 seconds to play, Texas overloaded its wing coverage and Michael Washington made it pay with a dunk that sunk the Longhorns ship.

It was a team effort, and the Razorbacks enter conference play on a very, very high note.

Razorbacks basketball and the passion are back, and in a special family environment.