Arkansas wraps up 2019 on road Sunday against Indiana

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas wraps up 2019 on road Sunday against Indiana

Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (10-1) at Indiana Hoosiers (11-1)
What: Arkansas’ final game of 2019; End Non-Conference Portion of Schedule
When: Sunday – Dec. 29, 2019 – 6:00 pm (ET)/5:00 pm (CT)
Where: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall – Bloomington, Ind.
How (to follow):
• TV: Big Ten Network (Lisa Byington and Dan Bonner)
• CLICK HERE to Watch Big Ten Network on Fox Sports App Online
• Radio: ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home. (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
• Online: HitThatLine.com
• Sirius/XM: XM Channel 391 and streaming online, channel 938
• Live Stats: www.Indiana.StatBroadcast.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will play its final men’s basketball game of 2019 — and wrap up its non-conference portion of the schedule — on Sunday at Indiana.

The game will be telecast on Big Ten Network and tipoff is set for 5 p.m. You can hear the game at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home and online at HitThatLine.com.

After Sunday, Arkansas will return home to open SEC play by hosting Texas A&M in a game officially announced Saturday as being sold out.

Against Indiana

• This is the fifth meeting between Arkansas and Indiana. The series is ties, 2-2, but the Hoosiers are 2-0 versus the Razorbacks in Bloomington.

• Indiana won the first game in the series with a 75-50 decision early in the 1949-50 season in Bloomington.

• A mere 58 years later, Arkansas won the next encounter, 86-72, in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament East Regional.

• The team met twice last season. The Razorbacks won an exciting 73-72 decision in Bud Walton Arena in game three. The Hoosiers evened the series, 2-2, with a 63-60 win in the second round of the 2019 NIT..

The NET, RPI and Bracketology

• Arkansas’ NET was 33 in the most recent NCAA NET rankings (Dec. 16).

• Arkansas’ NET is 2nd-best among SEC schools behind Auburn (8).

• The rest of the SEC: Tennessee (46); Ole Miss (51); Florida (56); LSU (58); Missouri (68); Kentucky (72); Georgia (75); Alabama (77); South Carolina (90); Miss. State (101); Vanderbilt (133) and Texas A&M (205).

• Arkansas has an RPI of 20.

• Arkansas’ RPI is better than eight teams in the top 25, including Memphis, Penn State, Arizona, Michigan, Iowa, Virginia, Gonzaga and Washington.

• ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Hogs as a #12 seed, facing VCU in a play-in game to earn one of the final spots.

• The rest of the SEC: Tennessee (46); Ole Miss (51); Florida (56); LSU (58); Missouri (68); Kentucky (72); Georgia (75); Alabama (77); South Carolina (90); Miss. State (101); Vanderbilt (133) and Texas A&M (205).

• Arkansas’ RPI is better than eight teams in the top 25, including Memphis, Penn State, Arizona, Michigan, Iowa, Virginia, Gonzaga and Washington.

Musselmans’ history with Indiana

• There is not a lot of history between Arkansas and Indiana. However, the Musselmans have a history with the Hoosiers.

• Eric Musselman coached former Hoosiers Calbert Chaney, Brian Evans, Alan Henderson, Keith Smart, Jay Edwards and Jim Thomas in professional basketball.

• On Jan. 8, 1972 Minnesota hosted Indiana. The game was the Big 10 opener for both teams and the first Big 10 conference game coached by Golden Gopher head coach Bill Musselman (Eric’s father) and Hoosier head coach Bobby Knight. Minnesota won 52-51.

• Bill Musselman (Wooster, Ohio) and Bobby Knight (Orrville, Ohio) also grew up as high school rivals.

• During the 1998 NBA lockout, Bill and Eric Musselman spent a week with Coach Knight observing practice..

Rare trip to Big 10 land

• Even though Arkansas played Indiana twice last year, including a season-ending loss in Bloomington in the second round of the NIT, this will be just the eighth time Arkansas has played a regular-season game at a Big 10 opponent.

• Arkansas at Big 10 opponent (0-7)
– at Indiana (NIT)             03/23/19              L, 60-63
– at Minnesota 11/22/16              L, 71-85
– at Michigan     12/08/12              L, 67-80
– at Ohio State  12/01/84              L, 84-85
– at Michigan     12/06/80              L, 65-75
– at Indiana        1949-50                L, 50-72
– at Illinois                           1949-50                L, 53-65

Joe & Jones end 11-year drought

• Last year, Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones rarely had good games on the same day. Their best games together include FIU (Joe 34 & Jones 19) and Tennessee (Joe 23 & Jones 18).

• The duo has scored in double figures six times in the same game this season.
• Jones scored 32 and Joe 24 in the season opener.
• Game 2, each scored game-high 16 vs North Texas.
• Both scored 16 in win over Austin Peay,

• The past two games, Joe and Jones have each scored at least 20.
• 12/14/19         Tulsa      Joe: 20 / Jones: 41
• 12/21/19         Valpo    Joe: 21 / Jones: 20

• The last time two Razorbacks scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games was the 2008-09 season when Michael Washington and Courtney Fortson accomplished the feat.
• 12/10/08         NC Central          Washington: 20 / Fortson: 20
• 12/17/08         Austin Peay        Washington: 24 / Fortson: 20

Hey Joe, one triple from Top 10

• Isaiah Joe went into several record books last season. He set four school records for 3-pointers, two SEC freshman records (while being just the fourth SEC frosh to lead the league 3PT%) and made the fourth-most 3-pointers by a freshman in NCAA history.

• Joe is on the verge of entering the Arkansas career record for 3-pointers made.
• Joe has made 152 career triples — one shy of 10th (153 by Jonathan Modica (2003-06).
• Joe has made 152 treys in 45 career games. By comparison, Modica needed 118 games to make his 153.

Isaiah Joe on Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Watch List

• Arkansas sophomore Isaiah Joe was named to the 2020 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watch list, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today.

• FANS CAN VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE PLAYER HERE.

Razorbacks’ league opener against Texas A&M officiall sold out

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks’ league opener against Texas A&M officiall sold out

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas announced the men’s basketball game versus Texas A&M (Jan. 4, 2020) in Bud Walton Arena is sold out.

This is the fifth sold out game at Bud Walton Arena this season.

As part of the Texas A&M game, Arkansas will welcome back the Razorback Men’s Basketball Lettermen.

All five Razorback Saturday home men’s basketball games in 2020 are sold out, including Texas A&M (Jan. 4), Kentucky (Jan. 18), TCU (Jan. 25), Mississippi State (Feb. 15) and Missouri (Feb. 22).

This is the most games in Bud Walton Arena that Arkansas has sold out in advance for men’s basketball since having six in 2017-18.

Musselman recounting going to Indiana as youngster, Sunday’s matchup

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman met with the media Friday afternoon and talked about going to Bloomington when his dad was coaching Minnesota and looking at game with Hoosiers.

Bailey on how Hogs handled Christmas, block against Valpo, other players

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas’ Adrio Bailey talked with the media Friday afternoon about the team handling the Christmas break, his big block against Valparaiso last weekend and his teammates.

Sills on bouncing back from knee injury, getting ready for Sunday’s game

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorback Desi Sills talked with the media Friday afternoon on bouncing back from the bruise knee he suffered in last Saturday’s win and going on the road to play in Indiana.

???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Aaron Torres on the Arkansas/Indiana game

Tye Richardson
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???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Aaron Torres on the Arkansas/Indiana game

Phil & Tye on bowl SZN, Friday Beers, what if’s of Arkansas sports this decade plus AT!

Schaefer previews Razorbacks’ game Sunday with UT-Martin

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas assistant coach Todd Schaefer met with the media Friday and talked about Sunday’s matchup with Tennessee-Martin at Bud Walton Arena.

Razorbacks’ tight end Gunter enters transfer portal after redshirt junior season

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks’ tight end Gunter enters transfer portal after redshirt junior season

Arkansas tight end Grayson Gunter has put his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal, according to multiple reports confirming the move Thursday.

A native of Mississippi, he played in all 12 games this past season for the Razorbacks and had six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. He will be immediately eligible somewhere next year as a graduate transfer.

During his three seasons on the field, he had 11 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He caught his first touchdown pass in 2018 in a 23-0 win over Tulsa. He had one reception for 29 yards as a true freshman in 2016.

• Silas Robinson (transfer to Texas State)
• Daulton Hyatt (transfer)
• Collin Clay (transfer)
• Nick Starkel (leaving program)
• Jordan Jones (transfer)
• Kamren Curl (entering NFL Draft)
• Grayson Gunter (transfer)

???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Bob Holt on his Holiday and Arkansas football

Tye Richardson
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???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Bob Holt on his Holiday and Arkansas football

Phil & Tye on their holiday, big news for the Arkansas offense, plus Bob Holt joins the pod!

Regardless of rankings, Pittman doing some pretty good recruiting

Andy Hodges
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Regardless of rankings, Pittman doing some pretty good recruiting

Just a few weeks into taking over Arkansas’ football program, Sam Pittman has shown his recruiting ability and I’m not talking about just high school players and transfers … or even just players.

With the announcement of Kendal Briles as the offensive coordinator Monday, he’s put someone who’s averaged nearly 40 points a game with offenses he’s coordinated with one of the best defensive-minded coaches in the game.

At a cost of roughly $2.2 million a year for assistant coaches, Pittman has shown he’s wanting good coaches around him. Some coaches are reluctant to go after assistants that good, mainly because there is the concern about them trying to get the top job.

It’s happened for decades. Bear Bryant warned Red Parker at Clemson back in the mid-1970’s about hiring an assistant named Charley Pell. It turned out to be prophetic as Pell ended up the head coach after kicking Parker out the door.

Years later, Parker told me in a phone call while he was sitting in the lobby of his car dealership in Fordyce that before Pell died in 2001 he called Red to apologize for stabbing him in the back.

“I won’t forget, though,” Parker told me.

Frank Broyles never worried about that. He simply got his assistants better jobs somewhere else when they were flat-lining with the Razorbacks. That continued into his athletics director role when the head coaches he hired didn’t want to make a change. Broyles quietly got them a better job somewhere.

Having never been a head coach, Pittman has been on some teams in rocky times and turbulent times. Let’s face it, Oklahoma in 1997-98 was as dysfunctional as the Hogs were last year with John Blake running things. North Carolina later was mired in a mess during Butch Davis’ tenure, then was Derek Dooley’s line coach during his last season at Tennessee.

He’s also seen the other side lately being Kirby Smart’s right-hand guy at Georgia.

Pittman knows he can’t coach every position on the field. It’s a good bet Hunter Yurachek planned this pretty well, too, putting together a pool for assistants around $5 million and it’s shaping up that will be about the right amount.

Here’s how it breaks down annually with six of the 10 spots filled:

• Barry Odom, defensive coordinator, $1.2 million
• Kendal Briles, offensive coordinator, $1 million
• Brad Davis, offensive line coach, $550,000
• Justin Stepp, wide receivers, $400,000
• Rion Rhoades, linebackers, $225,000
• Sam Carter, cornerbacks, $225,000

Old-timers like me remember when the entire Hogs’ coaching staff combined — including the head coach — made less than half what the lowest-paid assistant makes now.

Head coaches are only as good as their assistants. We may be starting to see that at Alabama as Nick Saban’s team has slipped a little bit with nearly a complete turnover of his staff after Smart left the Crimson Tide for the Bulldogs.

Granted, that doesn’t mean they’re in the same shape as the Hogs. But you’ll notice they did lose to LSU and Auburn. Recruiting is part of it, but if you don’t, as Steve Spurrier used to say “coach ‘em up,” it really doesn’t matter how good they are.

That’s why the assistants matter so much. As much as anything, the previous staffs haven’t exactly been stellar in that area. They may prove to be better recruiters than coaches.

The talent they brought in wasn’t 4-20 bad over the last two seasons. My guess is the previous staff might have been 6-6 with four Top 10 recruiting classes because it really was that bad.

Recruiting coaches is one thing, but Pittman has also managed to talk Rakeem Boyd into staying for his final year and nearly all of the redshirt freshmen that Chad Morris managed to save for him.

Some on the roster have left, but the guess here is most of them won’t be missed much.

The next thing we’ll find out about is how they develop and put it all together on the field.

But the hardest part might be getting a complete buy-in to what Pittman wants to do and all indications are looking good in that area. Better than it was with the previous coach.

Fans are hoping that shows up in September.

Boyd makes announcement he’s coming back to Razorbacks for 2020

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Boyd makes announcement he’s coming back to Razorbacks for 2020

Maybe the best recruiting job Sam Pittman has done in a few weeks on the job with Arkansas is Monday afternoon’s announcement that rising senior running back Rakeem Boyd will be coming back.

Boyd made the announcement Monday afternoon via Twitter:

Boyd was their top contributor on offense this season. He carried the ball 184 times and rushed for a team-leading 1,174 yards. His 94.2 yards per game ranked fifth in the Southeastern Conference.

The speedster’s eight rushing touchdowns were good for the 10th most in the conference.

He fell just short of cracking Arkansas’ top 10 all-time single-season rushing list. Additionally, he averaged 6.16 yards per carry.

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