Shooting can be fickle like an old automobile. Sometimes it runs hot but sometimes not. That’s a fact anyone who has played or even observed basketball for very long knows.

Some nights the shots just don’t fall, even for the best teams and the most consistent shooters.

It’s too early to tell how good the Arkansas Razorbacks are, and the Hogs don’t seem to be gifted with an abundance of great shooters. But, Arkansas went into Monday’s game with Missouri State shooting an excellent 50 percent from the field.

Credit improved shot selection over last season but most of all the numerous cheap buckets the Hogs have garnered through their defense.

But, Monday was one of those nights where the shots weren’t falling, or at least it was shaping up to be in the first half.

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The Hogs shot 13 of 30 from the field (43 percent ) in the first half and connected on just 3 of 12 treys (25 percent ).

By contrast, Missouri State canned 13 of 23 first-half shots (56. 5 percent ).

Those totals sum up why the bigger, more athletic Hogs failed to take a lead on the Bears until 6: 15 left in the first half and why Missouri State remained within striking dis- tance of Arkansas at 44-40 with 14: 42 to play.

While I would argue that shooting percentage is about the most important statistic in basketball, those numbers did not tell the tale of this game.

What did was the Razorbacks’ hustle and intensity. The Razorbacks made up for what could have been a cold night with their desire and want-to.

In a relatively short period of time Arkansas head basketball coach John Pelphrey has transformed what had typically been a mild-mannered bunch in the past into a nasty, gritty pack of Hogs. Led by burly Charles Thomas and tenacious Patrick Beverley, this group of Razorbacks don’t mind getting down and dirty on the hardwood. No doubt, this group is capable of making the pretty play — the alley oop or open jumper. But, more importantly, they also know how to get animalistic on the boards for put-backs, tip-ins and rebounds like Mike Washington did with his 12-point, 12-rebound, 5-block, double-double performance.

They sacrifice their bodies for loose balls, skidding across the pine or leaping face first out of bounds to get the rock.

There’s no telling how many strawberries and bruises these Hogs share among themselves, but no doubt they wear them as badges of pride.

Late in the second half, Missouri State swing man Deven Mitchell ran into a granite-like Steven Hill screen and his groan was audible.

I like and respect the toughness this group is already displaying. Under Pelphrey, Hogs have become a blue-collar team with enough white-collar skills to make them dangerous.

As mentioned earlier, Monday night the Hogs did not have the prettiest night shooting (24 of 57 for 42. 1 percent ) but it was beautiful the way they ground Missouri State into submission for a 70-51 victory.

Arkansas won it with relentless toughness, tenacity and a selfless disregard for their bodies. It wasn’t an easy win, but it was well earned and satisfying. Missouri State didn’t just get whipped on the scoreboard, they were mauled on the floor.

With about 13 minutes left in the game, you could tell the Bears had had enough of the Razorbacks as their will gave way and finally broke.

Again, it’s hard to say just how good this Razorbacks team is right now or how good it will be. But if the Razorbacks continue to play with the effort they gave Monday, this team is going to make Hog fans very happy.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.