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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.

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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.

WATCH: Halftime is LIVE!

Mike Irwin – 11:35
Charlie Liggett – 12:15
Connor O’Gara – 1:15

Hogs clinch series win over Tennessee, tying home run record

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas closed out their regular season in emphatic fashion, securing an 8-4 victory over the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers at Baum-Walker Stadium on Saturday.

The win not only clinched the series for No. 8 Arkansas but also matched the program’s single-season home run record, setting the stage for a promising postseason run.

Ryder Helfrick’s Grand Slam Breaks Game Open

The turning point came in the third inning, when freshman catcher Ryder Helfrick delivered a towering grand slam-his 10th home run of the year-capping a five-run outburst that flipped a 2-1 deficit into a commanding 6-2 lead for the Razorbacks.

Helfrick’s performance was pivotal, as he drove in a career-high five runs and became the sixth Razorback to reach double-digit home runs this season, a first in the Dave Van Horn era.

“I just wanted to put a good swing on it and help the team. It’s awesome to be part of a group making history,” Helfrick said later.

Historic Power Surge for Arkansas

With two home runs in the finale-including Wehiwa Aloy’s team-leading 18th blast-the Razorbacks matched their single-season home run record of 109, previously set in 2021.

Aloy’s solo shot in the fourth inning extended Arkansas’s lead and highlighted his impressive season, raising his slash line to .358/.440/.677 with 58 RBI.

Pitching Shuts the Door

On the mound, Gage Wood started and struck out seven over three innings, while Landon Beidelschies and Will McEntire combined to keep Tennessee in check.

McEntire was especially dominant, retiring all 11 batters he faced in 3.2 innings of relief and earning his second save of the season.
His four strikeouts brought his career total to 232, tying him for seventh in program history.

“This group has shown heart all year,” Dave Van Horn said after the game. “To finish strong and set a home run record speaks to their work ethic and chemistry.”

Looking Ahead: SEC Tournament

With the win, Arkansas improved to 43-12 overall and 20-10 in SEC play, marking their third consecutive 20-win SEC season and earning the No. 2 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.

The Razorbacks will have a double bye and play their first game on Friday.

As the postseason looms, Arkansas’s combination of power hitting and reliable pitching makes them a formidable contender.

The Razorbacks’ ability to perform in high-pressure moments, as demonstrated against Tennessee, will be crucial as they chase a deep run in the tournament.

Razorbacks surge past Tennessee, clinch top-four SEC Tournament seed

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas made a statement Friday night, overwhelming Tennessee ace Liam Doyle with a relentless offensive attack to even the series.

More importantly, the Razorbacks secured a coveted top-four seed in next week’s SEC Tournament.

The 8-6 victory not only showcased the Razorbacks’ resilience but also marked a career-worst outing for Doyle, who entered the night as the frontrunner for SEC Pitcher of the Year.

Doyle, a junior left-hander with previous stops at Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina, had dazzled this season with a 2.17 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP, leading the nation in strikeouts per nine innings.

But Arkansas had little trouble generating baserunners, tagging Doyle for 11 hits and eight runs-both career highs.

“We knew coming in he was one of the best in the country, but we just stuck to our approach and made him work,” said Arkansas third baseman Brent Iredale after the game.

Iredale was instrumental in the Hogs’ early surge, launching a two-run homer in the second inning-his first in two weeks-to put Arkansas on the board.

Center fielder Charles Davalan led the offense with a three-hit day, adding an RBI and a walk as Arkansas tallied at least 13 hits for the second consecutive game.

Five of the eight runs charged to Doyle came via home runs, including a towering 409-foot shot by Ryder Helfrick that gave the Razorbacks a lead they would not relinquish.

The Volunteers, ranked No. 17, traded blows in the early innings, with catcher Cannon Peebles delivering a pair of RBI singles to help Tennessee build a 4-3 lead.

Arkansas starter Aiden Jimenez struggled, lasting just 2 1/3 innings, but reliever Cole Gibler steadied the ship with 3 1/3 scoreless frames.

He retired nine of 10 Volunteers at one point and earning a standing ovation from the Baum-Walker Stadium crowd.

Tennessee made a late push, cutting the deficit to 8-6 with a two-run homer from Levi Clark.

The Volunteers threatened in both the eighth and ninth innings, bringing the tying run to the plate each time, but Arkansas closer Christian Foutch induced a game-ending double play to preserve the win.

With the victory and a Georgia loss, Arkansas clinched a top-four seed and a double bye in the SEC Tournament, set for May 20-25 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

The Razorbacks’ win also capped a challenging stretch against top-ranked opponents, keeping them in the hunt for the SEC’s overall No. 1 seed.

The regular season concludes with a decisive rubber match against Tennessee, broadcast live on SEC Network.

As the postseason looms, Arkansas’s timely hitting and bullpen depth could prove pivotal in their quest for a conference title and a deep NCAA run.

“If Arkansas gets a series win over Tennessee, the Razorbacks will have closed the season with a minimum 6-3 record over then No. 1 Texas, current No. 1 LSU and current No. 17 Tennessee. That is a brutal schedule for the Hogs to come out on the other side possibly winning at least 67% their games,” noted a recent analysis of Arkansas’s season.