John & Tommy are joined by Tyler Wilson to talk John Chavis’ tenure, Connor Noland, and interview Richard Davenport!
Razorbacks shut down Oral Roberts’ long-range attack
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas picked up it’s fifth win of the season behind three players in double figures with a 74-61 victory over Oral Roberts in Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday.
The Razorbacks (5-2) opened the game on a 9-0 run holding ORU (3-4) without a basket until the 6:25 mark of the first quarter.
Arkansas went 4-for-6 with one 3-point field goal taking a lead they would not surrender. The Razorbacks led by as many as 17 points with 2:10 to play in the first half before taking a 15-point, 38-23, advantage into the locker room at the break.
ORU’s offense came to life in the second half with the Golden Eagles outscoring Arkansas in the final frame.
Arkansas, however, was able to hold ORU to just five made 3-point field goals, well below their season-average of nearly 10 makes from distance per contest.
Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Dungee scored 21 points, her third game with 20+ this season, and went 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
Dungee paced Arkansas to its best performance of the year from the charity stripe as the Razorbacks hit 24-of-29 attempts.
Junior Malica Monk had a season-high 17 points with five field goals and a 7-for-8 night at the line while senior Malica Monk was in double digits for the sixth time this year with 12 points. Junior Kiara Williams led Arkansas on the boards grabbing 11 rebounds.
Notes
• Arkansas Starters: Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Chelsea Dungee.
• Series Record: Arkansas leads 21-9 and is 16-2 in Fayetteville.
• Arkansas held ORU to 11 first quarter points – a season low for an opponent this year.
• Arkansas’ 15-point halftime lead (38-23) is the second-best of the season.
• The Razorbacks forced ORU into 12 first half turnovers. Arkansas’ opponents have had double-digit miscues in every game this season. ORU finished with 19 turnovers in the game.
• Chelsea Dungee has scored in double figures in every game this year. Dungee has posted 20+ points three times this season.
• Malica Monk has had double-digits six times and Jailyn Mason three times.
• Arkansas has more made free throws than its opponent in five games and has tied opponents once.
• Tonight’s 18-15 third quarter performance is just the third time Arkansas has outscored opponents in that period.
• ORU entered the game averaging 9.7 made 3-point field goals per game. They made just five in the game.
• Kiara Williams had double figure rebounds for the second time this season.
Up Next
Arkansas takes part in the Big 12/SEC Challenge facing No. 23 Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, on Sunday.
The Razorbacks return home hosting Tennessee Tech on Dec. 4, followed by a road contest at Abilene Christian Dec. 8.
Neighbors talking about Arkansas’ win over Oral Roberts
Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors met with the media after 74-61 win over the Golden Eagles and talked about the team’s play against a team stopping their strengths.
Dungee, Mason talking about Hogs’ win over Golden Eagles
Arkansas players Chelsea Dungee and Jailyn Mason met with the media after the 74-61 win over Oral Roberts on Wednesday evening.
Cussen impressed with Hogs’ performance in win over ORU
Golden Flashes coach Misti Cussen praised Arkansas’ team and predicted success after falling, 74-61, on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Van Horn introducing Hogs’ new pitching coach to media
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and newly-hired pitching coach Matt Hobbs talked with the media Wednesday morning about baseball program, new facilities, new technology.
???? Wednesday Halftime Pod — featuring Chris Gragg
Phil & Tye discuss conference championships, Matt Hobbs hired, interview Chris Gragg and more!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Wednesday
John & Tommy talk CFB Playoff rankings, Gus Malzahn’s job security, What’s Your Beef Wednesday and more!
Juco offensive tackle talks about upcoming official visit with Hogs
Warren, Ohio, Iowa Central CC three-star juco offensive tackle Myron Cunningham recently talked with me and previewed his official visit to Arkansas and what he is looking for.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Cunningham said. “But I just want to see how me and the players connect.”
Cunningham listed his top teams at the moment.
“Not really sure yet, but mainly Oklahoma, Arkansas and maybe some others,” Cunningham said.
His strengths are on and off the field: “I feel like I’m very athletic and strong.”
Relationship with the Arkansas Coaching Staff and Offensive Line Coach Dustin Fry: “My relationship with them is tight and they are cool. My relationship with coach Fry is good.”
What he likes most about Arkansas: “All the love that is being shown.”
What he likes most about Oklahoma: “The environment.”
On what makes Arkansas different from the rest of the schools recruiting Cunningham: “They have been recruiting me since I first got in contact with them.”
The Determining factor on where he will go: “Really which ever place environment and connections I like the best.”
When a decision will come: “I will commit that week after the Arkansas visit maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Cunningham has over 13 offers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and several others.
Neighbors on big win over Wisconsin, game with ORU
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors talked with the media Tuesday about the team’s thrilling 69-68 win over the Badgers in Nashville over the weekend and Wednesday night’s matchup with Oral Roberts.
Van Horn names Hobbs new pitching coach
FAYETTEVILLE — Matt Hobbs was announced as the new Arkansas pitching coach Tuesday afternoon by coach Dave Van Horn.
Hobbs comes from Wake Forest where he spent the last four seasons. Hobbs is replacing Wes Johnson, who was named the head pitching coach with the Minnesota Twins earlier this month.
“Arkansas is one of those places that has such a rich baseball history,” Hobbs said. “To have the opportunity to come here and work under someone like Dave Van Horn, it’s such an honor. Everyone speaks so highly of coach Van Horn and of Arkansas, that I can’t wait to get started, get to know my new pitchers and get to work.”
“There’s always a short list of coaches out there that are on teams’ radars and Matt Hobbs is always on that list,” Van Horn said. “He’s very highly respected throughout all levels of baseball around the country. His reputation is that he’s an extremely hard worker, enjoys recruiting and he’s very innovative.
“Young pitchers want to play for him and learn under him. He’s done a tremendous job wherever he’s been and he’s all about development. Matt’s excited to be here, back in the Midwest and back in the SEC.”
In Hobbs’ four seasons in Winston-Salem, 12 Demon Deacon pitchers were drafted or signed free-agent contracts in four years (2014-18), including four each following the 2016 and 2017 seasons and three after the 2018 season.
In his coaching career, 33 student-athletes have either been drafted or signed pro contracts, including 29 who were undrafted heading into college.
Hobbs has coached eight players that have been drafted in the top-10 rounds, including 2018 first-round pick Griffin Roberts, and has helped develop a total of seven big leaguers: Rob Zastrysny, Guido Knudson, Matt Stites, Dylan Axelrod, Jeff Stevens, Chuckie Fick and Tanner Scheppers and Kyle Zimmer.
In each of his first three years in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons improved in ERA (5.73 to 5.24 to 4.11), strikeouts (364 to 435 to a program-record 559), walks per nine (5.03 to 4.35 to 3.83) and opponent batting average (.281 to .280 to .247).
The 2018 Deacon pitching staff set a new program record for strikeouts per nine innings, fanning more than one batter per inning.
The Demon Deacons also significantly improved their win totals the first three years under Hobbs, from 27 to 35 to 43, winning the 2017 NCAA Winston-Salem Regional and falling a game short of the College World Series at the Gainesville Super Regional.
The pitching staff excelled down the stretch in 2017, recording a 3.81 ERA, .240 opponent batting average and more than a strikeout per inning against the likes of Florida, West Virginia and UMBC in the NCAA Tournament.
Hobbs oversaw Parker Dunshee’s development as he became a two-time all-conference starting pitcher, seventh-round draft pick and Wake Forest’s all-time strikeout record holder.
Fellow pitchers Donnie Sellers (11th round), Connor Johnstone (21st round) and Griffin Roberts (29th round – did not sign) were also drafted for the first time in their careers, as Johnstone and Roberts also earned All-ACC honors.
Roberts was drafted No. 43 overall the following year, while Rayne Supple (13th round) and Chris Farish (free agent signee) also started their pro careers in 2018.
Before coming to Wake Forest, Hobbs spent four years as the pitching coach at Missouri, which is also his alma mater.
During his four years in Columbia, Hobbs had seven of his pitchers drafted in three seasons and guided four players to all-conference honors.
In 2013, Missouri’s first year in the SEC, Hobbs helped mentor Zastryzny, who was selected with the second pick of the second round in the draft.
Hobbs also helped guide pitcher Keaton Steele to All-SEC First Team honors as Steele was the only player in the nation to lead his team in wins and saves.
The pitching staff in 2013, despite being made up of eight newcomers, ranked among the best in recent Mizzou history with a 3.87 ERA in 50 games.
That was the best team mark by a Tiger team since 2006. His three regular starters all had ERAs 3.80 or lower and his staff allowed just 152 walks, which was third in the league.
In 2012, he mentored starter Zastryzny to honorable mention All-Big 12 honors and closer Dusty Ross to a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
In 2011, three of his pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft and he coached All-Big 12 Freshman Team honoree Zastryzny and All-Big 12 honorable mention pick Phil McCormick.
Hobbs spent the 2010 season as the pitching coach at the University of San Francisco, where his staff ranked fourth in the West Coast Conference in ERA and was second in the league in fewest walks per nine innings.
Also, Hobbs turned Kyle Zimmer from a third baseman into a pitcher. Hobbs’ tutelage and foresight paid off for Zimmer, who was drafted fifth overall in the MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.
Before USF, Hobbs spent three years as the associate head coach, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at UC-San Diego.
The Tritons made a trip to the Division II College World Series in 2009. They finished that year ranked No. 3 after claiming the school’s first ever Regional Championship.
Under Hobbs, UCSD’s pitching staff allowed the fewest number of walks per nine innings in D-II in 2009 and ranked 12th nationally with a 3.73 ERA.
Prior to his stint at UC-San Diego, Hobbs spent two seasons as the pitching coach at Santa Barbara City College.
In 2006, Hobbs’ staff allowed the fewest walks in the Western State Conference, while the 2005 squad led the WSC with a 2.27 ERA. During the summers, Hobbs was the pitching coach for Foresters Baseball, which won the National Baseball Congress World Series in 2006 after finishing runner-up in 2005.
Hobbs also served one season as an assistant coach at Chapman University, where he worked with the pitchers and catchers.
Hobbs pitched at Missouri from 1999-2002, where he won 13 games and struck out 125 batters. Hobbs was drafted twice, first by the San Diego Padres in 2001 and then by the Kansas City Royals in 2002.
Hobbs and his wife, Marta, have two daughters, Addison and Taylor, and a son, Will.
