Arkansas coach Mike Anderson talked with the media Friday looking ahead to this weekend’s game with the Tigers and the problems with their size down low.
???? Friday Halftime Pod — featuring The Advocate’s Brooks Kubena
Phil & Tye discuss Saban losing assistants, FOMO Friday, plus Brooks Kubena joins the POD!
Hogs open 2019 indoor campaign with No. 8 national ranking
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Set to open its season at home this Friday, the Arkansas men’s track & field team will head into its 2019 indoor campaign at No.8 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason national rankings.
The 2017-18 John McDonnell Program of the Year runner-up, Arkansas is the fourth-highest ranked Southeastern Conference program in the nation behind No. 2 Florida, No. 5 Georgia and No. 7 Alabama.
Widely considered the strongest league in the country, the SEC boasts four teams inside the top 10 and six teams inside the top 20 (No. 17 LSU and No. 19 Texas A&M).
Head coach Chris Bucknam returns several All-Americans from last year’s indoor/outdoor championships including one of the NCAA’s best distance athletes in senior Cameron Griffith who was a bronze medalist in the 3,000-meters indoor and eighth in the 1,500-meters during outdoor.
Bucknam’s squad remains steadfast in their national title mission and with a roster riddled with top transfers and experienced contributors, the future appears to be bright.
Arkansas will open the year this Friday at home, hosting the Arkansas Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
Razorbacks open 2019 indoor season with No. 1 ranking
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Following a runner-up finish at the 2018 NCAA Indoor meet, the Arkansas women’s track & field team will open the 2019 indoor campaign as the preseason No. 1 team as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Thursday afternoon.
The Razorbacks claimed the top spot in a preseason poll for the second time in program history following their first appearance on top during last year’s outdoor preseason poll.
The Razorbacks are followed by familiar foes Florida State, Texas A&M, USC, and Oregon rounding out the top-five.
Along with Arkansas and Texas A&M, nine additional Southeastern Conference teams including No. 6 Florida, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Georgia, No. 10 Kentucky, No. 13 Alabama, No. 14 South Carolina, and No. 17 Tennessee earned a spot in the preseason polls.
The SEC had the most teams in the top-20 with nine programs overall and were followed by the Pac-12 with four, the ACC, Big 12 and Mountain West with two teams apiece and the Big 10 with one program.
The national team rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on national descending order lists. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the national team race.
Rankings points do not equate with NCAA Championships team points.
Preseason rankings will include marks from 2018, and the National Team Computer Rankings will continue to do so through the third regular-season edition.
Arkansas will open the year this Friday at home, hosting the Arkansas Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
Hogs’ gymnastics ready for first road meet of season Saturday
FAYETTEVILLE — No. 10 Arkansas hits the road for the first time this season Saturday, traveling to No. 18 Arizona.
The meet will be the first of four-consecutive road trips for the Gymbacks.
Meet Information
First Vault: 4 p.m.
Live Stream: Pac 12 Networks/WatchESPN
Live Stats: Arizona.Statbroadcast.com
How They Compare (Season Averages)
Vault: Arkansas: 48.825, Arizona: 48.750
Bars: Arizona: 49.100, Arkansas: 48.600
Beam: Arkansas: 48.975, Arizona: 48.575
Floor: Arkansas: 49.175, Arizona: 48.325
Total: Arkansas: 195.575, Arizona: 194.750
Back In The Top-10
After the first week of action, the Gymbacks moved up two spots to No. 10 in the Road to Nationals weekly rankings.
It’s the Razorbacks earliest season appearance in the polls’ top-10 since 2014.
Carter Tied For First
Arkansas sophomore Sophia Carter scored a 9.950 this past weekend against No. 2 Oklahoma. Her score was the third highest floor score in program history and put her in a tie for first place nationally on the event.
The No. 1 national individual ranking is Arkansas’ first since Katherine Grable was No. 1 in the All-Around in 2014 and the 20th in program history.
Shaffer Solid on Floor
Sophomore Sarah Shaffer recorded a 9.900 on floor last week against Oklahoma. It’s her eighth score of 9.900 or higher in the last 12 meets. The sophomore has scored below a 9.850 just twice in her career.
Meeting Again
Arkansas is traveling to Tucson, Arizona for the first time since the 2004 season. The Razorbacks are 0-2 all-time in Tucson, but have won seven-consecutive matchups in the series.
Arkansas defeated the Wildcats 197.275-196.125 in what was a team record score at the time.
Hambrick Makes Debut
Freshman Kennedy Hambrick made a solid debut on two events last weekend. She scored a 9.825 on vault, which tied for the team lead, and a 9.800 on floor.
Her scores were counted in both events as she was the only freshman in the Southeastern Conference to score a 9.800 in every event among the seven freshman gymnasts that competed on multiple events.
McGlone is Back
Making her first appearance since February of 2018, senior Sydney McGlone recorded a 9.825 in her first vault, which tied for the team lead. She also competed on floor for the first time since April 1 of 2017.
Burton Makes All-Around
unior Michaela Burton competed in all four events against Oklahoma for the first time in her career. The junior set a career high on vault with a 9.700 while posting a 9.875 on beam, which tied for the team lead.
More rumors in possible transfers than, well, even coaching searches
As if college football isn’t busy enough with basically no off-season anymore, now we have the constant rumor mill about players transferring from one place to another.
Don’t believe it’s not full-time?
Chad Morris has said it for a year in a way that was new to some people. The business of college football consists of four quarters these days. There’s recruiting, spring practice, summer workouts and, of course, the season.
Now you’ve got to squeeze in the transfer process which sorta fits in somewhere between the fourth quarter of one season and the first of the next.
And I swear there’s more rumors around the whole transfer stuff than even coaching changes.
Arkansas fans spent months hoping for Kelly Bryant when he quit on Clemson when it became evident freshman Trevor Lawrence was a better quarterback. When he chose Missouri, the lunatic fringe is now hoping and praying for anybody.
Cole Kelley has transferred to Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, basically going back home. Ty Storey has reportedly put his name into the NCAA transfer portal, which conjures up images of Stargate, Star Wars and Star Trek.
Most assume he’s gone. That may or may not be the case. Just because a player puts his name there doesn’t mean he’s leaving anywhere. It’s more a case of testing the waters to see who’s interested.
Graduate transfers are immediately eligible. Maybe the most eye-opening change lately is the NCAA’s wllingness to grant immediate eligibility to non-transfers. It’s almost enough to make you wonder if they haven’t been threatened with a lawsuit over player rights. Their track record is not good when things land in court.
Every name that hits the NCAA portal gets a chunk of the fan base excited, especially if there is even the most remote possibility the player or his high school coach ever crossed paths with Morris.
The best part is the logic some of these folks roll out. There have been wild speculation and rumors on these guys:
• Ben Hicks, SMU. He may not be an upgrade over anybody still on the roster.
• Shane Buechele, Texas. There’s no official word he’s even considering leaving although two Longhorn freshmen quarterbacks — Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson — have put their name in the transfer portal. For the record, Rising is from California and Thompson is from Newcastle, Oklahoma … and they were both four-star recruits.
• Jalen Hurts, Alabama. Really. While he has put his name in the portal, that’s going to be a recruitment for the ages. If he comes to Arkansas, Morris and his staff will leap into the upper echelon of recruiters just for that signature.
There are others, but Morris said back in December after the first signing date he was trying to get an “older” quarterback to come in. That doesn’t mean a graduate, but that’s the assumption.
So now we have two signing dates in college football. Apparently after the first signing date is when coaches start working on players that have put their name into the transfer portal.
Now fans and media get something else talk talk about.
Remember, though, as usual the people who DON’T know anything are doing all the talking while the people who DO know aren’t saying a word.
Everybody else is just guessing.
Family ties keeping West Mesquite running back interested in Hogs
Mesquite, Texas, West Mesquite 2020 three-star running back Ty Jordan recently talked about his offer to Arkansas and what it means to him.
“Arkansas is huge because of the family ties to the area,” Jordan said. “Most of my family is diehard Razorback fans.”
How his recruitment is going so far: “Recruitment is steady at the moment. Expect it to pick back up once dead period is over.”
The relationship with the Arkansas coaching staff: “The relationship I have with the staff is strong.”
His strengths on the field: “I’m a versatile player and not just a running back. I can get in the slot and make you have nightmares.”
On the upcoming unofficial visit to Arkansas: “I plan on visiting Arkansas again within the next few months … don’t know when, but it’ll be soon.”
How he feels on the relationship with the Arkansas coaching staff: “Coach (Jeff) Traylor, coach (Chad) Morris and coach (Julian) Griffin are my guys. I can talk to them about anything I feel like.”
When a decision will come: “I’ll probably commit after my senior season.”
Jordan holds over 17 offers from schools such as Arkansas, Baylor, Missouri, Texas, and others.
Media’s high school ‘Super Team’ features four unanimous picks
The first Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Super Team was released Thursday afternoon and projected future Arkansas Razorbacks highlight the list.
That also includes a basketball player, Little Rock Christian’s Justice Hill, as the Super Team quarterback.
For the first Super Team, there are 26 seniors and two juniors. Four were unanimous selections, including tight end Hudson Henry of Pulaski Academy and lineman Stacey Wilkins of Camden Fairview on offense with lineman Zach Williams and Malik Chavis of Rison on defense.
Henry, Williams and Chavis have all either signed with the Hogs or, in Henry’s case, are committed to signing in February.
Warren defensive lineman Marcus Miller, who signed with Arkansas in December, was also named to the team.
Hill, who led the Little Rock Christian Warriors to their first ever state championship, was selected as the state’s top quarterback. Hill passed for 2,710 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,000 yards and another 19 touchdowns.
Harrison junior Gabe Huskey and Bryant senior Latavion Scott were selected as the state’s best running backs. Huskey rushed for 2,150 yards and 33 touchdowns for the 12-1 Goblins while Scott ran for 1,790 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Class 7A champion Hornets.
Fayetteville junior Connor Flannigan and Pulaski Academy senior John David White were piced as the state’s top two receivers. Flannigan had 102 receptions for1,695 yards and 20 touchdowns. White had 77 receptions for 1,532 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Henry, probably the best known tight end in the state, had 86 receptions for 1,207 yards and four touchdowns.
Wilkins leads the offensive line picks that include Robinson’s Elliott Harris, Bryant’ Blaise Smith, Jonesboro’s Darius Thomas and Searcy’s Drew Vest.
And Williams (97 tackles, 31 TFL, 17 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 forced fumbles) anchors the defensive line picks that include Warren’s Marcus Miller (52 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 1 fumble recovery), Bryant’s KaJuan Rrobinson (55 tackles, 15 TFL) and Booneville’s Noah Reyes (60 tackles, 25 TFL).
The top linebackers selected were Marion senior Timon Akins (107 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks), Fort Smith Southside senior Darin Davenport (125 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, 2 forced fumbles), Osceola senior Jariq Scales (113 tackles) and Bentonville West’s Kendall Young (99 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked FG.).
Chavis (46 tackles, 1 TFL, 6 pass breakups) anchors the defensive backfield that includes Huskey and Arkadelphia’s Victor Tademy (15 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INT).
Greenwood’s Grant Ennis was picked as the top place kicker. Ennis was 11-for-11 on field goals with a long of 45 and was 64-for-66 on extra points.
Morrilton’s Mason Adams was selected as the state’s top kick returner. He averaged 11.2 on kickoff returns with a long of 46, and averaged 14.9 yards on punt returns with a long of 70.
Three athletes were selected as All-Purpose players, including Northside’s Derrick Wise (1,296 yards and 14 touchdowns passing, 1,071 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing), Dumas’ Chris Harris (accounted for 3,346 yards and 40 touchdowns) and Salem’s Jordan Turner (rushed for 2,885 yards and 38 touchdowns).
Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Super Team
Following is a 28-player Super Team as voted on by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters and other sports media for the 2018 high school football season that ended in December. (* denotes unanimous selection; Razorback signees or commits in bold):
OFFENSE
QB — Justice Hill, senior, Little Rock Christian
RB — Gabe Huskey, junior, Harrison
RB — Latavion Scott, senior, Bryant
WR — Connor Flannigan, junior, Fayetteville
WR — John David White, senior, Pulaski Academy
TE — Hudson Henry, senior, Pulaski Academy*
OL — Stacey Wilkins, senior, Camden-Fairview*
OL — Elliott Harris, senior, Joe T. Robinson
OL — Blaise Smith, senior, Bryant
OL — Darius Thomas, senior, Jonesboro
OL — Drew Vest, senior, Searcy
DEFENSE
DL — Zach Williams, senior, Pulaski Robinson*
DL — Marcus Miller, senior, Warren
DL — Kajuan Robinson, senior, Bryant
DL — Noah Reyes, senior, Booneville
LB — Timon Akins, senior, Marion
LB — Darin Davenport, senior, Fort Smith Southside
LB — Jariq Scales, senior, Osceola
LB — Kendall Young, senior, Bentonville West
DB — Malik Chavis, senior, Rison*
DB — Caden Huskey, senior, Southside Batesville
DB — Victor Tademy, senior, Arkadelphia
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick-Returner — Mason Adams, senior, Morrilton
Kicker — Grant Ennis, senior, Greenwood
Punter — Said Bernal, senior, Batesville
All Purpose — Derrick Wise, senior, Fort Smith Northside
All Purpose — Chris Harris, senior, Dumas
All-Purpose — Jordan Turner, senior, Salem
???? Thursday Halftime Pod — featuring Bill Bender of Sporting News
Phil Elson & Tye Richardson hit on the hogs losing at home, QB’s in the transfer portal, plus Bill Bender of Sporting News joins the POD!
Second-half surge not enough to lift Razorbacks past Tigers
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A second half surge was not enough as Arkansas suffered a 71-53 loss at Missouri in Southeastern Conference play on Thursday.
A cold start for the Razorbacks (12-5, 1-2 SEC) included a 19% performance from the floor and no points from Arkansas’ leading scorers in Chelsea Dungee and Malica Monk in the first half. The duo was a combined 0-14.
In addition, Missouri (14-3, 3-0 SEC) dominated the boards in the first 20 minutes, 32-10, and scored 18 second-chance points to open the game.
The Razorbacks heated up in the second half winning the third and fourth quarters as Dungee and Monk got into the scoring column. Dungee finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Jailyn Mason added seven points followed by six from Alexis Tolefree. Monk, Kiara Williams, Raven Northcross-Baker and Bailey Zimmerman had five points each in the loss.
Notes
• Arkansas Starters: Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Chelsea Dungee
• Arkansas’ nine first quarter points is a season-low in the opening frame. It was also a season-low at the half with 14 points.
• Chelsea Dungee and Malica Monk were held scoreless in the first 20 minutes.
• The Razorbacks have forced double figure turnovers by opponents in every game.
• Arkansas won the third quarter, 16-15, for the ninth time this season, and the fourth quarter, 23-22, for the 14th time this year.
Up Next
Arkansas returns home hosting Vanderbilt on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Razorbacks have a bye on Thursday and travel to No. 10 Tennessee for a Big Monday matchup on Jan. 21.
