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Neighbors on Hogs’ win over Tennessee on Monk’s big night

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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VIDEO FROM ESPN SEC NETWORK

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A dramatic jumper in the paint by senior Malica Monk with four seconds on the clock lifted Arkansas to an 80-79 Southeastern Conference road win at Tennessee on Monday night.

Arkansas (14-5, 3-2) picked up just the second program win in Knoxville handing the Lady Vols (12-6, 1-5 SEC) their fifth consecutive loss.

Three-point shooting by the Razorbacks countered Tennessee’s points in the paint. Arkansas hit 12 shots from distance in the win.

The Razorbacks opened the first half with a fast start behind 11 first-quarter points from junior Alexis Tolefree. Arkansas controlled the pace of the game and limited Tennessee’s top players in the scoring column taking a nine-point, 40-31, lead into halftime.

The Lady Vols found a spark in the second 20 minutes and erased a 12-point Razorback lead, tying the game at 63-all at the 8:01 mark of the final quarter.

A back-and-forth battle ensued with Tennessee tying the game for the third time in the quarter, 76-76, with one minute on the clock. UT made a free throw to eek ahead, 77-76, but Chelsea Dungee answered with a driving layup with 23 seconds to go giving Arkansas the 78-77 advantage.

The Lady Vols burned a timeout and got a break when Monk was whistled for a foul at the 11-second mark. Two made free throws gave Tennessee the 79-78 lead but Monk brought the ball up the court, made a move and pulled up for the game-winning jumper.

Monk finished with a team-high 23 points in 36 minutes. Dungee added 19 points and Tolefree finished with 16 points in the win.

Notes

• Arkansas Starters: Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Chelsea Dungee
•Arkansas is 4-31 all-time against Tennessee and has won two games in Knoxville

• Alexis Tolefree had 11 first quarter points. It is the second time this year she has scored in double figures in one quarter and the third time with double digits in the first half.

• Arkansas is 10-0 when leading or tied at the half. The Razorbacks were up 40-31 at Tennessee.

• The Razorbacks have had eight games with 10 or more 3-point field goals. The season-best is 13 set against both Nebraska and Vanderbilt as Arkansas finished with 12 against Tennessee.

• Arkansas’ opponents have committed double figure turnovers in every game this season. The Razorbacks have had 10 games with 10 or fewer miscues.

• Alexis Tolefree scored in double figures for the 11th time this season.

• Malica Monk scored in double figures for the 14th time with a season-best 23 including the game-winner on Monday.

• Chelsea Dungee has scored in double figures in 17 games including eight in a row.

• Arkansas’ 14 season wins betters last year’s 13 victories. The Razorbacks have tied their SEC win total from a year ago with three wins this season.

Up Next

The Razorbacks had an eight-game break from competition before the Tennessee contest. They now play three games in seven days beginning with a home contest with Alabama on Thursday in Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks travel to Florida on Sunday and host Georgia Jan. 31.

Hogs suffer first loss in road match at No. 21 Oklahoma State

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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STILLWATER, Okla. — Arkansas suffered its first loss of the season Monday afternoon as it fell to No. 21 Oklahoma State, 6-1, in its first road matchup of the year.

Arkansas took a 1-0 lead as it took the doubles point. Josh Howard-Tripp and his partner Alex Reco quickly gave Arkansas the advantage as they defeated Brady Draheim and Luke Hammond 6-4.

After Adam Sanjurjo and Pedro Dominguez Alonso fell on court three, it came down to the final matchup on court one.

Maxim Verboven and Enrique Paya were in a back and forth affair that went to a tiebreaker against Artur Dubinski and Maxim Tybar of Oklahoma State. The Razorbacks pulled off a doubles victory in the tiebreaker 7-6(5).

The Cowboys tied it up at one a piece as Artur Dubinski (OSU) def. Josh Howard-Tripp on court one 6-4, 6-0. They proceeded to take their first lead of the match after Mathieu Scaglia (OSU) defeated Adam Sanjurjo on court two 6-4, 6-3.

Oklahoma State clinched the match with consecutive victories on courts four and five. Luke Hammond (OSU) defeated Enrique Paya in a tight battle 6-4, 7-5. Maxim Verboven fell in three sets to Brady Draheim 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

Doubles Results – Order of Finish (2,3,1)
1. Verboven/Paya def. Dubinski/Tybar, 7-6(5)
2. Howard-Tripp/Reco def. Draheim/Hammond, 6-4
3. Hudd/Scaglia def. Sanjurjo/P. Dominguez Alonso, 6-4

Singles Results – Order of Finish (1,2,4,5,3,6)
1. Dubinksi (OSU) def. Howard-Tripp, 6-4, 6-0
2. Scaglia (OSU) def. Sanjurjo, 6-4, 6-3
3. Tybar (OSU) def. P. Alonso, 7-6(6), 6-3
4. Hammond (OSU) def. Paya, 6-4, 7-5
5. Draheim (OSU) def. Verboven, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
6. Hudd (OSU) def. J. Alonso, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7

Kjerstad, Martin, Cronin pick up preseason All-American honor

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Heston Kjerstad, Casey Martin and Matt Cronin added another preseason All-America nod to their resume Monday afternoon as all three were recognized by D1Baseball.com.

Kjerstad and Martin both were named to the 18-player first team, while Cronin was one of two relief pitchers named to the second team.

Arkansas ties for the most players combined on the three teams in the country and is one of three schools (Oregon State, Southern Miss) with two players on the first team.

After winning the 2018 SEC Freshman of the Year award, Kjerstad comes into his sophomore season as one of the most highly touted players in the nation.

Kjerstad was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA, while also making the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC All-Freshman Team.

The Amarillo, Texas native started all 69 games for the Hogs in left field and finished second on the team with a .332 batting average, while leading with 87 hits, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. His hit total, home runs and RBIs were all Arkansas freshman records.

As for Martin, he practically matched Kjerstad’s numbers as he led the team with a .345 average, an average that also led all freshmen in the SEC.

He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team at the end of the regular season and was tabbed a freshman All-American by the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper as well.

Martin was a key part in Arkansas’ run to their ninth College World Series appearance last year as he led all Razorbacks with a .352 batting average in the NCAA Tournament, including a .357 clip in the CWS.

He totaled 10 of his 19 postseason hits in Omaha and made the CWS All-Tournament Team.

On the mound, Cronin returns as one of the top relievers in the nation after setting a UA single-season record with 14 saves. The save total tied for the second-most in the SEC and was the 14th most in the nation.

Over his 48.1 innings, Cronin struck out 59 batters, which was the sixth-most on the staff and he held opponents to a .154 batting average, which was the lowest on the team for the second-consecutive season.

Arkansas will open the 2019 season against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 15 at Baum Stadium.

Scott expected to leave Hogs for spot on Gamecocks’ staff

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas defensive line coach John Scott, Jr., reportedly will be joining Will Muschamp’s staff at South Carolina and has told close friends in Fayetteville he is leaving.

Scott and Barry Lunney, Jr., are the only coaches to stay on the staff following Chad Morris’ hiring just over a year ago. Scott was on the Razorbacks’ staff for two seasons.

Scott is a native of Greer, South Carolina, about 100 miles from Columbia. Both of his children live in the area.

Last season Scott coached the interior defensive linemen while Steve Caldwell coached the defensive ends.

Scott’s leaving would be the first staff change under Morris.

Anderson not panicked after fourth straight loss Saturday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson talked Monday about his staying calm is what he thinks is best way to keep players on track to get confidence back ahead of Missouri game.

Gafford on bouncing back from lack of production at Ole Miss

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas center Daniel Gafford didn’t have a good day against the Rebels last Saturday and talked with the media Monday about getting back on track against Missouri.

???? Monday Halftime Pod — Pulaski Academy’s John David White

Tye Richardson
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???? Monday Halftime Pod — Pulaski Academy’s John David White

Phil & Tye recap the NFL conference championship games, interview Pulaski Academy WR John David White, and more!

Razorbacks pick up No. 18 preseason ranking from Baseball American

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — With just under a month until first pitch, Arkansas found itself with another preseason top-20 ranking.

The Razorbacks will start 2019 at No. 18 according to Baseball America, which released its first national poll of the year Monday morning.

Along with the Baseball America poll, Arkansas is ranked No. 16 by D1Baseball.com, No. 13 by Perfect Game and No. 25 by Collegiate Baseball. Arkansas has one more week of individual workouts and will have its first official team practice on Friday, Jan. 25.

Six teams ranked in Baseball America’s preseason poll will face off against the Razorbacks this year, three of those matchups coming inside Baum Stadium including No. 2 LSU (May 9-11), No. 9 Mississippi State (April 18-20) and No. 13 Ole Miss (March 29-31).

The Hogs will also travel to face the No. 1 team in Vanderbilt on April 12-14.

Arkansas is one of eight SEC teams ranked in the Baseball America preseason poll. Joining Vanderbilt and LSU, as well Ole Miss and Mississippi State, is Florida at No 4, Georgia at No. 15 and Auburn at No. 17.

Entering his 17th season at the helm, coach Dave Van Horn returns 14 letterwinners from a year ago and will be looking to continue the success seen last year where the Razorbacks reached the College World Series for the ninth time in school history.

Arkansas is scheduled to open the 2019 season against Eastern Illinois on Friday, Feb. 15 with first pitch at 3 p.m. at Baum Stadium.

2019 Baseball America NCAA Division I Baseball Preseason Poll

Rank Team (2018 Final Record) 2018 Final Rank
1 Vanderbilt (35-27) 17
2 LSU (39-27) NR
3 UCLA (38-21) NR
4 Florida (49-21) 3
5 North Carolina (44-20) 4
6 Florida State (43-19) 20
7 Stanford (45-12) 14
8 Texas Tech (45-20) 5
9 Mississippi St. (39-29) 6
10 Oregon State (55-12-1) 1
11 Louisville (45-19) NR
12 East Carolina (44-18) 23
13 Ole Miss (48-17) 15
14 Clemson (47-16) 19
15 Georgia (39-21) 21
16 Baylor (37-21) NR
17 Auburn (43-23) 13
18 Arkansas (48-21) 2
19 Texas (42-23) 7
20 Michigan (33-20) NR
21 Southern Miss (44-18) NR
22 Duke (45-18) 10
23 Coastal Carolina (43-19) 24
24 Minnesota (44-15) 8
25 UC Irvine (32-24) NR

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday

Tye Richardson
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday

John & Tommy discuss the NFL conference championship games, Arkansas-Ole Miss, interview Tom Murphy and more!

Enos said he didn’t leave Alabama without telling anyone

Andy Hodges
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There were more than a few raised eyebrows last week at a story in The Athletic where Nick Saban was playing “Where’s Waldo” trying to find Dan Enos before a staff meeting the Friday after losing to Clemson.

Bruce Feldman, quoting “people with knowledge of the meeting,” said Saban asked a few times, “where’s Dan?” The staffers knew, but the story said Saban didn’t know.

Saban, of course, has said absolutely nothing.

Nick Saban hasn’t addressed Dan Enos’ leaving for Miami, despite a report that indicated he didn’t know about it. PHOTO BY TED McCLENNING | HITTHATLINE.COM

Enos, however, denied he left in the middle of the night in a tweet:

After the Crimson Tide was kicked sideways by the Tigers in the championship game, there has been a lot of speculation about a lack of continuity among Saban’s staff.

Now either coaches are showing maybe the most powerful coach in college football a blatant lack of respect or people at Alabama are making up stuff in an attempt to throw former assistants under the bus.

And, of course, Saban is saying nothing.

Even having players like Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t enough to keep Dan Enos at Alabama, even with the possibility of a raise. PHOTO BY TED McCLENNING | HITTHATLINE.COM

You would think, however, that if the story was true there would be confirmation from somewhere or somebody close to Saban lending a little credibility to the report.

But there’s been nothing.

Enos, who was Arkansas’ offensive coordinator for three seasons (2016-18), left Alabama after one season to join Manny Diaz at Miami.

It’s not really a big secret that Saban is demanding of his assistants. How demanding probably depends on each coach and whether he is as driven as the head man. Few people are.

One former coach told me a few years ago, “working for Nick there are a third of the coaches that develop heart conditions, a third either have marriage issues or get divorce and the other third suffer in silence.”

Not once in Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa has there been a mention of a family-type atmosphere like you hear around Dabo Swinney’s program at Clemson. Not a single time.

You also don’t hear recruits talk about that atmosphere, either.

In the last championship game, the Tide looked as unprepared and disorganized as any team Saban has put on the field. It was the worst loss he’s ever had and even he seemed to recognize what was going to happen early.

Now he’s got to rebuild a staff as well as find a way to handle the on-field reloading that Alabama has to do almost every year, it seems.

Yes, he’ll still have a top recruiting class. But there are even some interesting cracks in that as a couple of the top players in Alabama have gone to Georgia and Clemson in recent years.

As we’ve said, though, just getting the best players doesn’t mean a thing if they aren’t developed to improve. You’re not going to take a player straight out of high school and win much in the SEC.

All of this could become just more to the Saban Era at Alabama. Don’t look for them to drop far immediately.

But it could be a crack.

Tulsa Edison running back talks getting offer from Razorbacks

Andy Hodges
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Tulsa Edison three-star running back Sevion Morrison talked with us last week and recapped his offer to Arkansas.

“Arkansas offer means a lot since they were the first school to ever notice me,” Morrison said. “Me and the coaching staff are very close, actually.”

His strengths on and off the field: “On the football field I’m a speed guy. I hit the holes fast and aggressive.”

What makes Arkansas different from the rest of the schools: “Arkansas is different because they talk to me a lot like every day. They are showing support and coach Morris is a very cool dude. I like him and coach (Jeff) Traylor is even cooler.”

His top teams are at the moment: “Recruitment is going very well and I look at all seven of my offers as my top teams.”

Morrison currently holds offers from eight schools, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

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