Some buzz on Courtney Deifel’s team plus golf doing well and Hogs starting SEC Tournament play Friday afternoon.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 5-20-25
Hardware incoming for Wehiwa Aloy and other Arkansas players, Boogie Fland commits to Florida, what’s wrong with an old fashioned meritocracy?
Guests: Tom Murphy!
Boogie Fland commits to Florida, leaving Razorbacks after one season
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas fans weren’t expecting Boogie Fland back for a second season.
They didn’t expect to face him on the court, though. Razorbacks coach John Calipari planned for, signing guards and awaiting a decision from Karter Knox, who worked out at the NBA Combine.
The Florida Gators, fresh off their thrilling 2025 NCAA National Championship win, have landed one of college basketball’s most coveted talents.
Boogie Fland, a five-star transfer guard from Arkansas, officially committed to Florida just days after withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft, instantly elevating the Gators’ prospects for another title run.
Fland, a 6-foot-2 Bronx native, made a significant impact during his freshman season at Arkansas, averaging 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 37.9% from the field and 34% from three-point range.
Despite suffering a severe hand injury in January that sidelined him until the NCAA Tournament, Fland’s talent and upside remained clear. Before the injury, he was projected as a potential NBA Draft lottery pick.
After declaring for the draft, Fland ultimately chose to return to college basketball, entering the transfer portal as one of its top-ranked players—No. 10 overall and No. 3 point guard in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.
His decision to join the Gators comes as the program looks to reload following the graduation of leading scorers Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin, as well as Denzel Aberdeen’s transfer to Kentucky.
Florida’s backcourt now features Fland alongside recent transfer additions Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and AJ Brown (Ohio), giving coach Todd Golden one of the most formidable guard rotations in the nation.
“We are close to adding an impactful player that might help get us over the top,” Golden hinted just days before Fland’s commitment.
The Gators’ championship run in April, capped by a dramatic 65-63 victory over Houston, set the stage for this high-profile acquisition.
The program’s resurgence under Golden—who recently signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension—has been fueled by strong recruiting, transfer portal success, and robust NIL support.
“As we’ve shown during our time in Gainesville, the University of Florida is an institution that has the resources, support, and people in place to compete and win national championships,” Golden said after his extension.
Fland’s arrival is also notable for its financial implications.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, Fland is expected to earn approximately $2 million next season through NIL deals, with representation by former Florida guard Mike Miller.
With key returners like Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten, plus the incoming guard trio, Florida is poised to defend its crown.
As the Gators prepare for their White House visit on May 21 to celebrate their national title, the addition of Fland signals that the program’s ambitions are only growing.
Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on how Razorbacks dominated regional
With weather creating problems in weekend schedule, how Hogs left no doubt in final against Oklahoma State.
Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara on projecting teams for playoffs
As we get close to time of year predicting and guessing how college football goes, will SEC get more than three in this year?
Ruscin & Zach May 19
We talk about the big raffle, another college football tradition that could be dying plus baseball and softball action!
Aloy headlines historic All-SEC honors for Razorbacks headed into postseason
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Razorbacks shortstop Wehiwa Aloy has been named the 2025 SEC Baseball Player of the Year, capping a record-setting season for both himself and the program.
Aloy, only the second Razorback to ever earn the honor and the first since Andrew Benintendi in 2015, leads a group of five Arkansas players recognized with All-SEC honors, including a program-best four first-team selections.
Aloy’s impact in 2025 has been undeniable.
Through 55 games, the Wailuku, Hawaii native is slashing .358/.440/.677, with 18 home runs-tied for ninth-most in a single season by a Razorback-and 58 RBI. He leads the SEC in runs scored (72) and base hits (82), and is on pace for one of the best offensive campaigns in Arkansas history.
His defensive prowess is equally impressive, with just four errors in 192 chances for a .979 fielding percentage.
“It’s an honor to represent Arkansas and my family,” Aloy said about the honor. “I just try to play hard every day and help my team win.”
“Wehiwa’s consistency and leadership set the tone for our team this year,” Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’s earned every bit of this recognition.”
Aloy’s accolades extend beyond the SEC. He is a semifinalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top amateur baseball player.
He’s also a two-time SEC Player of the Week and a Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award watch list honoree.
Joining Aloy on the All-SEC First Team are three teammates:
• Kuhio Aloy: Wehiwa’s younger brother and Arkansas’ designated hitter, Kuhio transferred from BYU and is batting .345/.429/.607 with 13 home runs and a team-leading 68 RBI through 51 games.
• Charles Davalan: The sophomore outfielder from Montreal, who transferred from Florida Gulf Coast, is tied with Aloy for the team lead in hits (82) and is slashing .353/.433/.578 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. Coach Van Horn praised Davalan’s versatility, saying, “He’ll steal a base and then hit a ball 400 feet.”
• Zach Root: The junior left-hander, a transfer from ECU, has emerged as Arkansas’ ace with a 6-4 record, 4.14 ERA, and 102 strikeouts in 75.2 innings. Root has also been a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week.
• Sophomore first baseman Cam Kozeal earned second-team All-SEC honors, batting .335/.382/.598 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI, including an SEC-best 41 RBI in conference play.
This historic haul of All-SEC honors reflects Arkansas’ dominance in the 2025 season.
The Razorbacks, ranked No. 5 nationally and boasting a 36–7 record, are poised for a deep postseason run.
Teammates took to social media offering their congratulations.
The Razorbacks start their postseason play Friday in the SEC Tournament after getting a double bye, finishing second behind the Texas Longhorns in the regular season standings.
The Hogs will play their first tournament game at 3 p.m. Friday in Hoover, Ala. All tournament games will be broadcast on SEC Network and ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 5-19-25
Recapping an awesome weekend for Arkansas Baseball and Softball. Scottie Scheffler is good, but is he boring? NBA Conference Finals tip-off on Tuesday.
