After getting rid of the loss against Mississippi State, Arkansas rebounded with a 30-point win on road against Ole Miss and face Missouri on Thursday night in another road game.
Hogs set for SEC opener against Gators at Bud Walton tonight
Who: Florida Gators
What: Arkansas’ SEC home opener
When: Wednesday – Jan. 9, 2019 – 7:30 pm
Where: Bud Walton Arena – Fayetteville, Ark.
How (to follow):
• TV: SEC Network (Taylor Zarzour and Barry Booker)
• Watch ESPN/SEC Network Live Stream
• Radio: Razorback/IMG Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
• Satellite Radio: Arkansas Broadcast – Sirius (98), XM (190), Internet (961)
• Live Stats: www.Arkansas.StatBroadcast.com
FAYETTEVILLE — After opening its conference slate with a road win at Texas A&M, Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena to host Florida in the SEC home opener on Wednesday (Jan. 9).
Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm and the game will be telecast on SEC Network.
The last time the teams met, Arkansas upset then No. 23 Florida 80-72 in the second round of last year’s the SEC Tournament. However, Florida holds a 23-12 advantage in the all-time series.
• Beginning its 28th season in the Southeastern Conference, Arkansas is 18-9 when playing its SEC home opener.
• This is the seventh time in Mike Anderson’s eight years as head coach the Razorbacks have entered their SEC home opener with at least nine wins and the sixth time with at least 10 wins.
• Arkansas is 47-15 (76%) in SEC games played at Bud Walton Arena under coach Mike Anderson. The Razorbacks have won 13 of its last 16 at home versus league opponents.
• Arkansas and Florida have ranked second or third in most conference wins over the last two years (UF 25, Ark 22), last three years (UF 34, Ark 31), last four years (Ark 44, UF 42), last five years (UF 60, Ark 54) and last six years (UF 74, Ark 64).
• Desi Sills, Jalen Harris and Gabe Osabuohien all had career games in the win at Texas A&M. Sills scored a career-high 14 points, including 13 in the first half for his first double-digit scoring effort.
Jalen Harris tied his career high with 15 points, which was his best in a Razorback uniform.
Gabe Osabuohien pulled down a career-high seven rebounds and tied his career highs with six points and two steals. As a team, Arkansas grabbed a season-high 17 offensive rebounds.
• Over the last two games, Jalen Harris has dished out 16 assists with just one turnover, including nine assists and no turnovers in his SEC debut at Texas A&M.
Harris ranks second in the NCAA and first in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio (6.36). He is also 10th nationally and first in the SEC in assists per game (6.8).
• Isaiah Joe ranks eighth in the NCAA and first in the SEC in 3-pointers made per game (3.77). He leads the SEC in 3-pointers made (49). More impressively, while Joe is second in the SEC in 3-PT FG attempted, he is also second in the league in 3-point FG% (.454).
• Daniel Gafford has a league-best seven double-doubles this season, including three straight and four in his last five games. He also leads the league in field goal percentage (.644).
In the SEC, Gafford also ranks second in rebounding (9.7), third in blocked shots (2.38) and fifth in scoring (17.0) – the only player in the league to rank among the top five in each category.
• Arkansas ranks ninth in the NCAA in blocked shots (5.9) and 14th in the NCAA in assists (17.9).
• Arkansas will stay home to host LSU on Saturday (Jan. 12; at 5 pm).
Phillips transferring from Razorbacks’ basketball team
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson announced that Jordan Phillips has decided to transfer from the Razorback men’s basketball program.
Phillips, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, played in seven games and posted averages of 5.4 minutes, 1.4 points and 0.7 rebounds.
Four Razorbacks get preseason All-American recognition
FAYETTEVILLE — As Razorback baseball gets set to begin in less than 40 days, the Hogs will be bringing four preseason All-Americans into the new year as Heston Kjerstad, Casey Martin, Dominic Fletcher and Matt Cronin were all recognized by Perfect Game on Tuesday morning.
Kjerstad is the lone Hog on the first team, while Cronin and Martin made the second team.
Fletcher rounds out the list on the third team making Arkansas one of only two teams with four or more players named preseason All-Americans.
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.
Fletcher returns to captain the outfield after another stellar year both defensively and at the plate. The junior notched his second-straight year with a .280 average or higher and 10 or more home runs becoming the first Razorback since Rodney Nye (1998-99) to hit 10 or more homers in his first two seasons.
He finished his sophomore season with 23 multi-hit games and 11 multi-RBI games, which were both higher totals than his freshman season.
Fletcher’s best performances came in the postseason as he hit .346 in the College World Series with nine hits, two home runs and eight RBIs.
He was one of only two players in the CWS to record a four-hit game (vs. Texas Tech) last year and he was the first Razorback to do so since Jeff King in 1985.
???? Tuesday Halftime Pod — featuring Nikki “Nike” Chavanelle
Phil & Tye discuss the natty, interview Nikki “Nike” Chavanelle, plus Phil is headed for a Polar Plunge!
Anderson recapping win over Aggies, previewing Florida game
Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson met with the media Monday afternoon and talked about the tough games in the league, beating Texas A&M on Saturday, Florida matchup.
Harris, Bailey on winning against A&M on road, Florida game
Arkansas’ Jalen Harris and Adrio Bailey talked Monday afternoon about Saturday’s road win over the Aggies and Wednesday night’s game against the Gators at Bud Walton.
???? Monday Halftime Pod — featuring Blake Lovell
Phil & Tye discuss the Clemson vs. Bama, interview Blake Lovell, and more!
Former Razorback McFadden named to NFF Hall of Fame
FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden has been selected for the National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame class of 2019.
McFadden was part of the 2019 class announced on Monday.
McFadden is the 20th Razorback to earn a spot in the illustrious Hall and the 10th player to receive the accolade, including the first inductee chosen for his University of Arkansas playing career since Ronnie Caveness in 2010.
“Growing up in Arkansas, my dream was to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks,” McFadden said. “To be able to do that and now to be recognized with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame is something I couldn’t have imagined.
“I’m so grateful to my family, Coach Houston Nutt and my many other coaches, Dean Weber, my teammates and everyone in the Razorback Nation for supporting me throughout my collegiate and professional career.
“When I look at the others who have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, including many from the University of Arkansas, I am truly honored and humbled to be included in such a distinguished group.”
Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yuracheck:
“Darren McFadden is not only a Razorback great, he is a college football legend. It is fitting that he will soon be inducted alongside the greatest players and coaches of all time in the College Football Hall of Fame. From his All-America career at the University of Arkansas to his decade long NFL tenure with both the Raiders and the Cowboys, Darren McFadden has always represented his home state proudly and given us all plenty to cheer about. We are excited to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment with him throughout the upcoming year.”
One of the most decorated players in Arkansas history and a two-time runner up for the Heisman Trophy, McFadden was the 2007 Player of the Year by the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News.
He racked up 25 first-team All-America honors (six Freshman All-American selections), won the Doak Walker Award twice and is a two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
He is the only Razorback in program history to win multiple national awards in his career.
McFadden ranks second on the SEC career rushing list with 4,590 yards and averaged 120.8 yards per game during his three-year career, third-best in league history.
He rushed for 100 yards or more a school-record 22 times, and is one of only three players in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
His 321 yards vs. South Carolina in 2007 remains tied for the SEC record for rushing yards in a game. He capped his Arkansas campaign with 41 rushing touchdowns, good for second-most in school history.
After his collegiate career, McFadden was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played 10 seasons in the NFL for the Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.
Last year, he was named to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and was honored as an SEC Legend during the 2018 SEC Championship game.
McFadden and the other inductees in the 2019 class will be recognized at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 10, 2019, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City.
Other members of the 2019 class include: Terrell Buckley, Rickey Dixon, Dennis Erickson, London Fletcher, Jacob Green, Torry Holt, Raghib Ismail, Jake Plummer, Troy Polamalu, Joe Taylor, Joe Thomas, Lorenzo White, Patrick Willis and Vince Young.
Razorbacks in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame
2019 – Darren McFadden (RB)
2017 – Danny Ford (HC)
2012 – Jimmy Johnson (DL/AC)
2010 – Ronnie Caveness (LB)
2008 – Lou Holtz (HC)
2004 – Wayne Harris (LB)
2004 – Tracy Rocker (AC)
2003 – Doug Dickey (AC)
2003 – Hayden Fry (AC)
2001 – Barry Switzer (AC)
2000 – Billy Ray Smith Jr. (LB)
1999 – Chuck Dicus (WR)
1997 – Bowden Wyatt (HC)
1992 – Loyd Phillips (DL)
1987 – Johnny Majors (AC)
1984 – Lance Alworth (WR)
1983 – Frank Broyles (HC)
1971 – Clyde Scott (RB/DB)
1967 – Wear Schoonover (WR)
1954 – Hugo Bezdek (HC)
Razorbacks get 30-point road win over Ole Miss on Sunday
OXFORD, MISS. — Arkansas’ women’s basketball team had four players in double figures including a double-double from junior Kiara Williams in an 85-55 SEC road win in Oxford, on Sunday.
Williams had her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 boards and was one of four players who scored in double digits for Arkansas (12-4, 1-1 SEC).
Chelsea Dungee scored in double figures for the 14th time this year with a game-high 17 points including a 4-for-4 performance from the line.
Malica Monk and Jailyn Mason dropped in 16 points each. It was Monk’s 13th game in double figures and it was a season-best for Mason.
A pair of scoring runs in the second quarter allowed Arkansas to open a 17-point lead at the half. The frame opened with the Razorbacks scoring six in a row in under two minutes. That stretched the lead to eight points for Arkansas.
Ole Miss (6-10, 0-2 SEC) added four points to their side of the ledger before Arkansas went on a 13-0 run to lead by as many as 20 points with just under three minutes to play in the second period.
Monk and Mason had 11 points each leading all scorers at the break.
Nearly everything went right for Arkansas in the game. The Razorbacks shot nearly 48 percent from the floor and counted 12 made 3-point field goals, getting double digit makes from distance for the sixth time this year.
Arkansas had a big rebounding advantage in the first half and the boards finished even with 39 each but Arkansas won the turnover battle forcing 15 Ole Miss miscues in the game.
Notes
• Arkansas Starters: Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Chelsea Dungee
• Malica Monk and Jailyn Mason were in double figures in the first half with 11 points each.
• Arkansas tied its second-best first half point total of the season with 42 at the break.
• The Razorbacks had seven first-half 3-point field goals and finished with 12 in the game. It is the sixth time Arkansas has had double-figure makes from distance this year.
• Chelsea Dungee has scored in double figures in 14 games. Malica Monk has scored in double figures in 13 games. It is the seventh time Jailyn Mason has been in double-digits this year. Williams has five games with double figures.
• Arkansas has forced double figure turnovers in all 16 games.
• All 13 players played with nine scoring in the win.
• It was the 10th time this season Arkansas has had double figure steals (10). The Razorbacks had double figure steals in just 10 games all of last season.
• Arkansas is 3-16 in Oxford, have won four of the last six and two in a row. The last time Arkansas won in Oxford was in 2013.
Up Next
Arkansas travels to Missouri on Thursday followed by a home game with Vanderbilt on Jan. 13.
Amer gets third place on platform at ‘Georgia Invite’ on Sunday
ATHENS, Ga. — The Arkansas diving team completed competition at the Georgia Diving Invite, with Maha Amer taking third in the platform.
Amer and Estilla Mosena represented the Razorbacks Sunday afternoon, the second day in a row that all Arkansas divers placed in the Top-20.
Mosena placed 17th with a 184.25, while Amer took third 247.50. The Cairo native’s finish was a season-best and qualified Amer for the NCAA Zone Diving Championships.
The Hogs placed a diver on the podium in all three events at Georgia, with Brook Schultz taking first in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards earlier in the weekend.
Arkansas will return to the pool next weekend, facing Rice and SMU in Dallas.
