Aaron Torres of Fox Sports Radio thinks the Razorbacks’ schedule shapes up for those key matchups but they have to win them.
Coates officially enters name in transfer portal, leaving Razorbacks
Julius Coates started in Arkansas’ season opener against Georgia and never quite lived up to his billing out of East Mississippi CC as a difference-making pass rusher.
He made the announcement Friday on social media.
I have officially entered the Transfer Portal!
Thank you to The University of Arkansas for blessing me with the opportunity to represent their program! pic.twitter.com/oPmdO9tNgS— Julius Coates (@_JuliusCoates3) February 5, 2021
Coates made seven appearances with 18 tackles, including three for loss and two sacks, while also notching two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
His last appearance was against Missouri where he played pretty well, then missed the Alabama finale for non-football reasons and Sam Pittman had announced he would not be with the team for the Texas Bowl against TCU that was cancelled.
Coates is just the fifth non-senior who has decided to leave Arkansas via the transfer portal over the last few months.
Running back A’Montae Spivey did so during the season, while wide receiver Shamar Nash, cornerback Jarques McClellion and safety Myles Mason waited until the offseason.
Neighbors on changing Super Bowl plans with A&M on Sunday afternoon
Hogs coach Mike Neighbors talked with the media Friday afternoon about hoping to make it back from Aggies’ game by halftime of Super Bowl.
Pittman used his experience to talk Kennedy into coaching tight ends
Sam Pittman made it clear he wanted Cody Kennedy’s recruiting ability but had to use his own experience coaching tight ends to land him with Razorbacks.
Ashley’s defensive line at Tulsa got Pittman’s attention on film
Sam Pittman did not have a prior relationship with Jermial Ashley from Tulsa, but grew increasingly impressed with how his unit continuously stood out on film.
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Neighbors after Hogs’ trio of guards get hot, down Missouri for season sweep
Hogs coach Mike Neighbors on guards Chelsea Dungee, Destiny Slocum and Amber Ramirez combining for 66 points in 85-80 win over Tigers.
Slocum, Dungee pace Hogs, holding off Missouri for first SEC road win
COLUMBIA, Mo. — No. 16 Arkansas (14-6, 4-5) held off Missouri (6-7, 2-6), beating the Tigers, 85-80, in Mizzou Arena on Thursday night.
The Razorbacks have now swept the season series against Mizzou two years in a row, beating Mizzou, 91-88, on Jan. 3 in Fayetteville.
Hogs guards Destiny Slocum and Chelsea Dungee poured in big offensive performances to lead the win.
Slocum notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists while shooting at an efficient clip, going 8-13 from the field and 6-8 on three-pointers.
Dungee scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed five rebounds in 38 minutes.
Turning point
Arkansas got off to a fast start in this one, opening the game on a 13-2 run.
The Hogs kept the pressure on in the second quarter thanks to 16 combined points from Dungee and Slocum in the second frame.
Arkansas took a 45-39 lead to the locker room.
After starting the fourth quarter with a 12-point advantage, Arkansas allowed the Tiers a quick 7-0 run, and Missouri made its way all the way back to take its second lead of the game with 2:22 to go.
Arkansas took the lead right back after a pair of Dungee free throws, though, and Slocum sealed the game with a clutch three-pointer in the game’s final moments.
Some solid free throw shooting down the stretch cemented the win for Arkansas as the Razorbacks escaped Columbia with their first conference road win.
Hogs highlights
• Slocum became the first Hog with 10+ assists in a game since Malica Monk had 10 against Grambling State back in 2017 (12-28-17).
• It was the first 10+ assist performance by a Hog in an SEC game since Jailyn Mason had 10 against Ole Miss in 2016.
• Senior forward Taylah Thomas had five blocks in the game, a new career best.
• Dungee has now scored 20+ points in eight of nine SEC games this year, and has scored in double-figures in 24 straight games.
• Amber Ramirez, who scored 17, made five threes in the game, her third straight game with 5+ makes from deep.
Next game
Arkansas’ matchup against Texas A&M has been pushed up a week to Sunday with the Razorbacks heading to College Station to take on the Aggies.
The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Pingeton says Tigers needed to be ‘tougher’ after dropping another close game
Missouri coach Robin Pingeton saw some positives in Missouri’s comeback but said they need to be grittier, tougher down the stretch in tight games.
