Neighbors only celebrating national ranking for 10 minutes

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas came in at 19 in espnW’s Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25, announced today.

The Hogs are one of five SEC teams to earn a spot in the rankings.

“Coach speak would lead one to say ‘Oh that’s just one preseason poll…end of the year matters…blah blah blah’”, coach Mike Neighbors said. “Those coaches have most likely been ranked for years and are trying to deflect expectation.

“We have a locker room full of players who have worked their tails off to be mentioned, so we are going to embrace it and celebrate it. We have a group that realizes it won’t carry any weight into Selection Monday unless we practice and play up to the high standards this group has set.

“So we will celebrate for 10 minutes today and then get back on the court!”

The Razorbacks’ jump into the top 25 is a result of their postseason performance in 2019, as Neighbors’ squad caught fire during the SEC Tournament, becoming the highest seed ever (10) to make it the tournament final, courtesy of upset wins over then-No. 12 South Carolina and then-No. 15 Texas A&M.

The Hogs also had a nice run in the WNIT, getting wins over Houston and UAB before falling to TCU in a close game in Round Three.

espnW explained their pick and positioning of the Razorbacks as follows:

“Momentum is the big word around the Razorbacks after they finished the season so impressively with a run to the SEC tournament title game and a third-round WNIT appearance. Junior Chelsea Dungee (20.5 PPG last season) will be one of the top scorers in the SEC, and third-year coach Mike Neighbors has five of his next six top scorers from last season back. Guard Amber Ramirez, a former McDonald’s All American, is eligible after her transfer from TCU and could be the perfect running mate for Dungee.”

The Razorbacks’ schedule is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

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Burks, Knox have more confidence in Hogs’ offense than fans

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Since an opening day win that probably was far closer than most considered comfortable, it’s been a week of doom and gloom over the state of the Arkansas offense.

Freshman wide receivers Treylon Burks and Trey Knox weren’t having it Tuesday in their first time talking to the media this season.

They are far more confident in this offense than the fans or the majority of media folk.

“We’re going to dominate,” Burks responded to a question, which drew a reaction from the interviewer.

Burks didn’t miss a beat.

“Just being honest with you,” he said.

It was the kind of candid reaction you don’t normally get from freshmen on their first trip into the media scrum. In case you don’t know that’s when a coach or player stands there and it’s usually about 10 people trying to get as close as possible.

And Burks is the quiet one.

Trey Knox PHOTO BY TED McCLENNING | HITTHATLINE.COM

Knox is much more animated, often doing a little dance during wide receiver drills in practice and he was all smiles talking with us Monday.

“We’re going to put a lot of points up in this game,” Knox said.

Knox had the longest catch of the day, a 38-yarder, but he also had a drop earlier that somebody brought up Monday. Earlier in the second quarter, Ben Hicks threw a pass over the middle to Knox … and he dropped it.

“We needed that one,” Knox said. “I didn’t think it was going to get through, but I should have been prepared for it. But it’s not going to happen again.”

This week, Razorback fans have questioned why Hicks is even starting at quarterback as Nick Starkel is in the position of what is often the most popular position … backup quarterback.

Yet, he throws a pass to Knox he didn’t think would get through, but somehow it did.

Injuries put the two highly-touted freshmen into the starting lineup in the season opener. But it’s just a preview, Knox thinks.

“It shows what we have coming in the future,” he said, with the customary smile.

There was a moment, though, when a lot of fans held their collective breath.

Burks took a helmet to the knee he had surgically repaired last October and he grabbed the knee on the Hogs’ sideline.

“It just scared me,” Burks said. “That’s the first time I got hit on my knee since I’ve had knee surgery.”

The game against Portland State was the first time he’d been in a live contest since suffering that knee injury.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Burks said of being back on the field for the first time.

Now all we have to do is get Razorback radio commentator Quinn Grovey to remember there’s only one Trey on the field when both of the freshmen are playing.

It’s Treylon Burks and Trey Knox.

Quinn, you’re confusing the folks in Warren.

Morris on injuries, wearing all-white against Ole Miss on Saturday

Razorbacks coach Chad Morris gave an update on injured players before Wednesday’s practice and confirmed they will be wearing all-white in the SEC opener Saturday.

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Burks on finally getting to play after working all summer

Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks talked after practice Tuesday about playing in first game with Razorbacks on Saturday and how good it felt following practice all summer.

Curl talks about what Hogs have seen from Ole Miss’ offense

Razorbacks safety Kamren Curl talked after Tuesday’s practice on the Rebels’ new offensive coordinator, quarterback and offense from film study.

Brooks on defensive performance Saturday in opener

Razorbacks nickel back Greg Brooks talked after practice Tuesday about how the defense played in the opener on Saturday.

Gunter on going back to home state for game at Ole Miss this week

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