Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd talked after practice Tuesday about expecting the return of Devwah Whaley and what this will mean to the offensive plans.
Pettway on practicing in the cold weather, State’s cowbells
Razorbacks wide receiver La’Michael Pettway talked Tuesday about working out in the bitter cold temperatures and the upcoming game against Mississippi State and the noise there.
Gunter on cold weather, playing in home state Saturday
Hogs tight end Grayson Gunter, who is from Madison, Miss., talked Tuesday about going back to his home state for the game against the Bulldogs on Saturday and the cold weather.
Hogs Watts previewing game against Mississippi State
Arkansas defensive lineman Armon Watts has slowly climbed to the top of the SEC sacks rankings this year and he talked Tuesday about the game coming up against the Bulldogs.
Neighbors expecting tough test against UT-Arlington Wednesday
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas faces a tough road challenge in just the second game of the season taking on UT-Arlington on Wednesday.
Arkansas (1-0) opened the season with a 98-53 win over Northwestern State on Friday and currently leads the Southeastern Conference in scoring and field goal percentage. UTA (1-0) defeated Jackson State, 99-63, in their opener.
About the Series
The Razorbacks have a 7-0 record against the Lady Mavs with a 2-0 mark in Arlington. The last meeting on the Lady Mavs home court was a 57-54 win by Arkansas in 2010 and the Razorbacks picked up a 91-57 victory in Bud Walton Arena last season.
About Arkansas
We are only one game into the season, but a few things are evident already.
Arkansas wants to play fast and get a lot of shots up, especially from distance. The Razorbacks scored 98 points, took 59 shots and tied an Elementary Day record with 11 3-point field goals in the first game.
Transfer Alexis Tolefree paced the Razorbacks leading a group of seven players in double figures with a game-high 19 points.
Only three of Arkansas’ 13 players logged more than 20 minutes as head coach Mike Neighbors and his staff kept the legs fresh.
Something else to watch for is points in the paint. No, Arkansas is not a big team, but the Razorbacks managed 38 points in the paint in the opener.
This team is focused on layups as they beat opponents down the court as well as second-chance looks with good rebounding.
Up Next
Arkansas returns home hosting No. 22 Arizona State Sunday at 7 p.m. The game follows the Razorback men’s basketball game against Indiana that is part of the Hardwood Showcase. The Razorback men tip at 2:30 p.m.
???? Tuesday Halftime Pod — featuring Nikki Chavanelle
Phil Elson & Tye Richardson hit on Arkansas’ win, interview Nikki Chavanelle, and Get Off My Lawn!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday
John & Tommy are joined by Tyler Wilson to discuss grit, millennials, Would You Rather Tuesday and more!
Jones’ 21, Bailey’s 20 paces Hogs’ win over UC-Davis
PHOTOS BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM
FAYETTEVILLE — Adrio Bailey scored a career-high 20 points, including eight on a 22-1 run in the final five minutes to pace Arkansas to an 81-58 victory over UC-Davis Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.
The game was the home opener for Arkansas and the first of four games as part of the Hardwood Showcase.
Arkansas improves to 26-0 in home openers at Bud Walton Arena and now have won 45 consecutive home openers.
The Razorbacks, who led by seven at the half, could not pull away from the Aggies early in the second half as Arkansas led by nine (63-54) with 5:19 left.
With 4:55 remaining, Bailey then hit the first of six consecutive free throws — adding a jumper — to spur the 22-1 run.
Aiding in the win, Arkansas made 21-of-27 from the free-throw line in the second half while the Razorback defense held the Aggies to just 25 percent shooting and 28 points.
Mason Jones led the Razorbacks with 21 points, making four 3-pointers, and led the team with eight rebounds, including seven in the second half. Joining Jones and Bailey in double figures were Isaiah Joe (14 points) and Daniel Gafford (12 points).
UC Davis was led by TJ Shorts II, who finished with 14 points.
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 37 – UC Davis 30
• Arkansas raced out to a 10-0 lead – thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Mason Jones and two buckets by Adrio Bailey – to force an early UC Davis timeout (16:12 on the clock).
• The Aggies worked their way back in the game and kept it between 5-10 points the rest of the first half.
• Mason Jones, who scored 11 in the opener versus Texas, scored 15 in the first half to lead the Razorbacks, making 5-of-6 from the field – including 4-of-5 from 3-ponit range.
SECOND HALF: Arkansas Uses 22-1 run to pull away
• Isaiah Joe and Adrio Bailey each made a pair of free throws to give Arkansas a 12-point lead to start the second half.
• Adrio Bailey made his first career 3-pointer at 8:40 to give Arkansas its largest lead – 16 points (58-42).
• UC Davis cut the deficit to nine, 63-54, with 5:19 left. However, Adrio Bailey scored eight points during a 22-1 run to extend the lead to 21 (76-55) with 2:05 left.
UP NEXT:
Arkansas will host Indiana in game two of the Hardwood Classic. The Hoosiers are just out of this week’s Top 25, coming in at 27th.
This will be Indiana’s first trip to Bud Walton Arena and just the third time the Hoosiers and Razorbacks have met. Both teams have won a game in the series with Arkansas winning, 86-72, in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
It is just the fourth time a Big Ten member has come to Fayetteville and Arkansas is 3-0 all time versus Big Ten members in Fayetteville, including 2-0 in Bud Walton Arena.
NOTES:
• UC Davis controlled the tip, but Arkansas scored first on a Mason Jones 3-pointer.
• Arkansas starters were Isaiah Joe (G) – Jalen Harris (G) – Mason Jones (G) – Adrio Bailey (F) – Daniel Gafford (F).
• Junior Adrio Bailey attempted his first career 3-pointer (a miss at 15:50). Sophomore Gabe Osabuohien also attempted his first trey – a miss at 14:15 on the clock.
• Arkansas is 2-0 all-time versus UC Davis. The Razorbacks also defeated the Aggies, 68-59, on Nov. 29, 2008 in Fayetteville.
• Like this year, that previous meeting was also Arkansas’ second game of the year.
• Arkansas is 86-10 all-time in home openers, has won 45 consecutive home openers. The Razorbacks additionally won each of their first 31 home openers.
• The Razorbacks are 26-0 in openers inside Bud Walton Arena.
• Mike Anderson is 17-0 in home openers as a head coach when playing his home opener, outscoring his opponents by 22.8 points in such games.
• Arkansas’ other games as part of the Hardwood Showcase including hosting Indiana (Nov. 18 on ESPN), Montana State (Nov. 21) and UT Arlington (Nov. 23).
Anderson on how improved defense was a key to win over Aggies
Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson talked about the defense, improved free-throw shooting in the second half in what ended up being a comfortable win over UC-Davis.
Jones, Bailey after win over UC-Davis on Monday night
Arkansas players Mason Jones (21 points) and Adrio Bailey (20 points) talked with the media after beating UC-Davis, 81-58, at Bud Walton Arena.
