Phil & Tye on John Stephen and K.J. first team reps, World Series Game 7, Bill King, etc
Dungee, Ramirez on Hogs’ win over talented Oklahoma City team
Arkansas Chelsea Dungee (31 points, 6 rebounds) and Amber Ramirez (15 points 6 rebounds) after downing the Stars, 77-63, in the final exhibition game Wednesday night.
Razorbacks ranked No. 22 in first writer’s poll of new season
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas was ranked No. 22 in the first AP Top 25 of the season, the Associated Press announced this morning.
This marks the first time the Hogs have been ranked in the AP Top 25 since 2015, and the first time the Razorbacks have started a season ranked in the AP Top 25 since 2002. 22 is also Arkansas’ highest ranking since January 9, 2011.
The Razorbacks are coming off of a 22-win season in 2018-19, the most wins for the program since the 2011-12 season.
Coach Mike Neighbors and Co. return four of five starters from last year’s team, including Chelsea Dungee, who was named to the SEC’s preseason first team by both the media and the coaches.
The Hogs also add talented transfer Amber Ramirez to the lineup after she was forced to sit out last season.
The Razorbacks beat Pittsburg State, 97-63, in their exhibition opener last Thursday Night, and will square off against the Oklahoma City Stars tonight at 7 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena.
Clary on how to stop players jumping up, knocking down passes
Arkansas center Ty Clary said after practice Tuesday the way to stop defensive linemen from knocking down passes is to simply start pushing them backwards when they jump.
Smith on looking at last two games he’ll play at Razorback Stadium
Razorbacks senior defensive lineman T.J. Smith talked after practice Tuesday about how his time has flown by when he realizes he’s looking at his last two games in Fayetteville.
Henry on talented offense by Mississippi State; wearing Cowboys cap
Arkansas linebacker Hayden Henry was sporting a Dallas Cowboys cap over a decade old after Tuesday’s practice and the Bulldogs’ offense.
Woods previewing Saturday’s matchup with Mississippi State
Arkansas wide receiver Mike Woods talked after practice Tuesday about the upcoming game with the Bulldogs on homecoming at Razorback Stadium on Saturday.
Wagner talking about upcoming rematch with Bulldogs on Saturday
Razorbacks offensive lineman Dalton Wagner after Tuesday’s indoor practice on the game with Mississippi State.
???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Mike Neighbors
Phil & Tye on Morris/Moorhead, interview Mike Neighbors, Moses Moody listing Ark in his Top 3 and more!
NCAA vote opens door for yet another new world in college sports
The NCAA’s top governing board voted unanimously Tuesday to allow players the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness.
Welcome to another new world for college athletics.
The NCAA says, of course, these benefits must be attained in a manner consistent with the collegiate model. The NCAA has directed each of its three divisions to immediately consider updates to relevant bylaws and policies, according to board chairman Michael V Drake.
Thus far, the NCAA hasn’t mentioned the fact this vote will throw a wrench into what was expected to be a court battle and the kangaroo court that keeps college athletics under its thumb doesn’t have a good record there.
Drake said the move was made because the NCAA has to embrace change.
“Additional flexibility in this area can and must continue to support college sports as a part of higher education,” he said. “This modernization for the future is a natural extension of the numerous steps NCAA members have taken in recent years to improve support for student-athletes, including the full cost of attendance and guaranteed scholarships.”
Below is the listed guidelines and principals the NCAA wants to follow:
• Assure student-athletes are treated similarly to non-athlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate.
• Maintain the priorities of education and the collegiate experience to provide opportunities for student-athlete success.
• Ensure rules are transparent, focused and enforceable and facilitate fair and balanced competition.
• Make clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities.
• Make clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible.
• Reaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university.
• Enhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity.
• Protect the recruiting environment and prohibit inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution.
The NCAA said they gathered input from athletic directors, presidents, commissioner and student-athletes before making this decision.
The NCAA is also asking each of its divisions to create new rules no later than January 2021.
The new rules aren’t expected to be in effect until January 2021.
Exactly how schools handle the logisitcs of all this are still, obviously, unknown. Coaches are scratching their heads wondering how they’ll manage the inevitable lockerroom issues this potentially causes.
There are issues in pro sports where it often comes down to how good your agent is as much as anything.
Maybe the most important of the bullet items listed above is the last one and in the major sports that one’s going to be impossible to control or regulate for coaches, administrators.
In today’s world with social media and instant communications, how long will it take for recruits to find out which schools offer the best sponsorship deals?
Owners in pro sports have used that money (that doesn’t fall under salary caps) as added inducements to sign free agents or retain the biggest names.
Now that’s going to filter down to college athletics.
And, as we said, forever change that world … again.
