Recapping a baseball loss and previewing the rest of the season. Bill has a hot take on Arkansas baseball. We have bum of the week presented by the Crain Team with a special guest star and a squirrel haggard update.
Former Razorbacks’ pitcher on Razorbacks’ loss late to Tennessee
After game lasting over four hours, James Teague didn’t make it to end and had to catch up Friday morning.
BetSaracen’s Neal Atkinson on where Razorbacks’ odds are for Omaha
Even with slide at end of regular season, Hogs still getting lots of confidence in odds for College World Series.
WATCH: Halftime is LIVE at The Stadium Shoppe on Razorback
Aaron Torres – 11:15
James Teague – 12:15
Neal Atkinson – 1:15
Dalton Bargo’s two home runs power Tennessee past Arkansas in series opener
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 17 Tennessee unleashed some power at Baum-Walker Stadium, riding two home runs from left fielder Dalton Bargo to a 10-7 victory over No. 8 Arkansas in the opening game of a pivotal SEC series.
The win not only snapped the Hogs’ five-game streak over Tennessee but also kept the Volunteers’ NCAA Regional hosting hopes alive.
Tennessee’s Home Run Barrage
Coming into the game, the Volunteers were one of only four teams nationwide with more home runs than the Razorbacks, and that power was on display from the start.
Bargo opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot to left field off Arkansas starter Zach Root, marking his 13th home run of the season.
Bargo later added a second homer, finishing the night with two long balls that proved decisive in the Volunteers’ offensive outburst.
Bargo’s approach at the plate has been a focus all season.
“The biggest thing that’s going to help me this year is if I just stay free and easy… just letting my hands work and putting barrel on the baseball more consistently,” Bargo said in a recent interview, emphasizing a relaxed mindset as key to his success.
Arkansas Misses Opportunities
Despite consistently getting runners on base against Vols’ starter Marcus Phillips, Arkansas struggled to capitalize.
The Razorbacks left at least one runner stranded in every inning and finished the night with 11 men left on base.
A pivotal moment came in the second inning when Charles Davalan doubled with the bases loaded, scoring two, but Reese Robinett was thrown out at the plate on a sharp relay, stifling what could have been a bigger rally.
Arkansas chipped away, with Kuhio Aloy delivering an RBI double in the fifth and Wehiwa Aloy breaking out of an 0-for-11 slump with a two-run single in the eighth.
The Hogs could not overcome Tennessee’s relentless offense, despite bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in the eighth and again threatening in the ninth.
Pitching Decisions and Series Stakes
Both teams made notable pitching choices.
Tennessee’s Marcus Phillips started despite recent struggles controlling the running game, while the Razorbacks went with Zach Root, who was chased after just 3 2/3 innings.
The loss was costly for Arkansas, which is vying for a top spot in the SEC and a potential NCAA Regional host bid.
The Razorbacks have not lost a home series to Tennessee since 1996, but their streak is now could be in trouble.
Looking Ahead
The series continues Friday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and fans can listen on the Razorback Sports Network on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Ruscin & Zach May 15
JJ Andrews and Ruscin has figured out why Little Rock makes such a big deal about these sorts of things. Ohio State is big mad about the big noon kickoff. Plus more meat between buns.
Hogville’s Dudley Dawson looking at Boogie Fland, Razorbacks’ roster
With point guard not expected to return to Hogs, looking at where he might land, his beloved Celtics and more.
Democrat-Gazette’s Tom Muphy on Vols’ Tony Vitello, Hogs’ Dave Van Horn
Pair remain close, despite dustup a few years ago in Fayetteville that probably was no really big deal.
Arkansas’ top basketball prospect, commits to Razorbacks over LSU, Missouri
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — JJ Andrews, the No. 1 ranked basketball player in Arkansas and a consensus four-star recruit in the 2026 class, has officially committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks, choosing the hometown program over LSU and Missouri.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Little Rock Christian Academy made his decision public on May 15, 2025, in a ceremony at his high school, marking a significant recruiting win for Arkansas coach John Calipari.
Andrews, who weighs 220 pounds, is known for his physical presence, basketball IQ, and efficient scoring ability.
He has earned numerous accolades including Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, two-time state champion, 16U Peach Jam champion with Brad Beal Elite, and MaxPreps All-American honors.
At the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, he averaged 19.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 65.8% from the field. More recently, at the Nike EYBL Mesa event, Andrews continued to impress by averaging 19.7 points on 71.9% shooting, including 50% from three-point range.
JJ Andrews is the son of Shawn Andrews, a former Arkansas All-American offensive lineman and two-time NFL Pro Bowler who is enshrined in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Despite his father’s legendary football legacy at Arkansas, JJ emphasized that his decision was based on fit and connection rather than legacy alone.
He expressed confidence in the coaching staff, particularly praising assistant coaches Chin Coleman and Ronnie Brewer for their involvement in his recruitment and the program’s professional environment under Calipari.
“I feel like Arkansas is ultimately a great fit for me,” Andrews said. “They operate like professionals every day and I feel like I will be competing against the best of the best every day in practice. I feel like we have a great chance to win a national championship.”
He also highlighted Calipari’s reputation for developing players and preparing them for the next level as a key factor in his choice.
Andrews is ranked No. 32 overall in the 2026 recruiting cycle by On3 Industry Rankings and is the No. 7 shooting guard prospect nationally.
According to 247Sports composite rankings, he is the No. 37 overall player and No. 15 small forward in the country, with a composite rating of 0.9851, making him the top-rated player in Arkansas for his class.
His commitment provides a major boost to Arkansas basketball in John Calipari’s first full recruiting season with the Razorbacks, signaling the program’s growing appeal to top talent.
Analysts note Andrews’s ability to impact the game beyond scoring, with On3’s Jamie Shaw describing him as a player who “has a nose for an extra possession” and significantly influences play even without being the most explosive athlete or shooter on the court.
Morning Rush Sit Down: Tim Horton
Tye sits down with legacy coach Tim Horton. Tim served as the running backs coach at Arkansas from 2007 to 2012. We catch up with the current Air Force coach to hear firsthand accounts on the life of Coach Horton’s late father, Harold Horton who played and coached for the Hogs during the most transformative period in program history.
