Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 6-3-25
Super Regional rounds are set, National Egg Day, Arkansas Football lands four star OL commitment.
Guests: Bruce Stanton, Tom Murphy!
Adou Thiero’s NBA Draft stock rises after breakout season with Hogs
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Adou Thiero’s decision to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft marks a key moment for both Arkansas and NBA teams seeking a high-upside defensive specialist.
After a single, standout season with the Razorbacks, Thiero’s blend of size, athleticism, and defensive prowess has positioned him as a late first- or early second-round prospect, with several teams reportedly offering guarantees for a draft selection.
Thiero transferred to the Hogs after two seasons at Kentucky, following head coach John Calipari to Fayetteville.
In his junior year, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting an efficient 54.5% from the field.
His impact was felt on both ends of the floor, leading the Razorbacks in scoring and serving as a catalyst for their late-season surge.
Despite a knee injury that sidelined him for the SEC Tournament and limited his NCAA Tournament minutes, Thiero’s season was widely regarded as a success.
Calipari praised his physical readiness for the NBA.
“If you watch the NBA Playoffs, it is so rough you better be built like Adou Thiero,’ he said. “If you’re not and you’re a younger player, you’re not playing in these playoffs.
“He is physically ready right now and athletically, hits his head on the rim right now. He’s got to heal, but I think he’s in pretty good shape”.
Thiero’s decision to stay in the draft was influenced by strong interest from NBA teams.
According to Razorback reporter Kevin McPherson, Thiero has reportedly secured a second-round guarantee that includes multi-year financial benefits, a significant assurance for any prospect.
“I had a source tell me right before his announcement — maybe a couple of days before — that they’d heard he’d gotten a second-round guarantee,” McPherson said.
This type of commitment typically includes guaranteed money over at least two years, depending on the draft position.
Respected NBA draft analysts have also taken notice. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor projected Thiero as the 28th overall pick to the Boston Celtics, highlighting his fit as a potential 3-and-D wing.
“Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. The Celtics have had good success at improving shooters, so he’d be a fair bet at this spot, considering his other strengths are tailor-made for their system,” O’Connor wrote.
Other mock drafts, including those from ESPN and HoopsHype, have Thiero slotted anywhere from the late first to early second round, citing his two-way potential and developmental upside.
Strengths and Areas for Growth
Strengths:
-
Elite Athleticism: Thiero’s explosiveness and quickness make him a threat in transition and a disruptive defender.
-
Defensive Versatility: He can guard multiple positions, force turnovers, and rebound at a high level for a wing.
-
Physical Tools: With a 7-foot wingspan and NBA-ready frame, he fits the modern mold of a switchable forward.
Areas for Improvement:
-
Shooting Consistency: Thiero’s three-point shooting remains a concern, with percentages below 28% from deep and under 60% from the free-throw line.
-
Offensive Skill Set: He is not yet a reliable creator or pull-up shooter, often relying on athleticism to score. Scouts note that “bully ball is one thing at the high-major level. It’s harder to be a bully-ball specialist at the next level. You need to add some stuff to that so you’re not so predictable”.
-
Decision-Making: At times, Thiero forces plays and can be turnover-prone, especially when pressured.
NBA teams value Thiero’s high motor, defensive intensity, and ability to impact the game without needing the ball.
“Thiero’s physicality, athleticism, motor, and defensive versatility stand out,” As Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst, said. “If he continues to refine his offensive skill set, his value will only rise.”
His ceiling will ultimately depend on the development of his outside shot and ability to round out his offensive game.
If he can become a reliable spot-up shooter and continue to add skill, Thiero could carve out a long-term role as a valuable 3-and-D contributor.
The 2025 NBA Draft will be held over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with the first round on June 25 and the second round on June 26.
As the draft approaches, Thiero’s stock remains steady, buoyed by his unique defensive profile and the promise of further development.
Razorbacks, Vols Super Regional clash set for epic Baum-Walker showdown
The stage is set for an electrifying NCAA Super Regional matchup as No. 5 Arkansas (46-13) prepares to host No. 14 Tennessee (46-17) in a best-of-three series at Baum-Walker Stadium, with the winner punching their ticket to the College World Series in Omaha.
The series, scheduled for June 7-9, brings together two of college baseball’s best programs, both fresh off dominant regional performances. Arkansas swept through their regional without a loss, while Tennessee continued their postseason excellence by defeating Wake Forest 11-5 to advance to their fifth consecutive Super Regional.
The matchup features an intriguing subplot between the coaches.
Tennessee’s Tony Vitello, who served as an assistant under Arkansas’s Dave Van Horn, has transformed the Volunteers program into a national powerhouse.
“We know what we’re getting into with Tennessee,” Van Horn said during Monday’s press conference. “They’re playing their best baseball at the right time, and Tony has them prepared for every situation. It’s going to be a battle.”
Baum-Walker Stadium, renowned for its electric atmosphere, is expected to be at full capacity. The venue has been a fortress for the Razorbacks, who consistently rank among college baseball’s attendance leaders.
The stadium’s single-game attendance record of 11,103 could be challenged during this high-stakes series.
Both teams feature powerful offenses and deep pitching staffs.
The Volunteers have shown remarkable resilience in the postseason, extending their NCAA regional winning streak to 14 games.
Meanwhile, Arkansas has dominated at home, leveraging their passionate fan base and the intimidating environment of Baum-Walker Stadium.
The series opener is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN, followed by a Sunday afternoon clash at 2 p.m.
If necessary, the decisive third game will be played Monday, with the time to be determined.
Tickets are expected to be in high demand, with a limited quantity of Hog Pen tickets available to the general public and UA students starting Tuesday morning.
Tennessee’s path to Fayetteville included impressive victories over Cincinnati and Wake Forest in the Knoxville Regional.
The Volunteers’ offense has been clicking at the right time, averaging over eight runs per game in regional play.
Their pitching staff has shown depth and resilience, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Arkansas, meanwhile, showcased their championship potential by dominating their regional opponents.
The Razorbacks’ combination of power hitting and strategic small ball has kept opponents off balance, while their pitching staff has consistently delivered quality starts and reliable relief appearances.
The winner of this Super Regional will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, where both programs have rich histories.
Arkansas is seeking their ninth CWS appearance under Van Horn, while Tennessee aims to continue their remarkable postseason run under Vitello.
This series represents more than just a Super Regional matchup — it’s a showcase of SEC baseball excellence, featuring two programs that have helped establish the conference’s dominance in college baseball.
With both teams playing their best baseball of the season and a trip to Omaha on the line, fans can expect an unforgettable weekend of collegiate baseball at its finest.
For those unable to secure tickets, both games will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, bringing the intensity and atmosphere of Baum-Walker Stadium to baseball fans across the country.
As these SEC powerhouses prepare to clash, the road to Omaha runs through Fayetteville, promising three days of compelling baseball that will be remembered for years to come.
Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara on SEC football scheduling
Not confident league will go to a nine-game schedule and what it would take for them to get there.
Ruscin & Zach June 2
Arkansas wins the regional and moves to supers. Plus other observations to the first weekend most of America pays attention to the perfectly flawed sport of college baseball.
Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on ‘anything can happen’ in baseball
As Razorbacks going into Super Regional as highest-seeded team left, what they have to do to reach Omaha.
Frank Ragnow retires from Detroit Lions at 29, citing health, injuries
Former Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, the Detroit Lions’ four-time Pro Bowl center and cornerstone of their offensive line, announced his retirement from the NFL at age 29.
Ragnow’s decision, revealed via an emotional social media post, marks the end of a seven-year career defined by toughness, leadership, and relentless battles with injuries.
Drafted 20th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, Ragnow quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier centers.
He started all 96 games he played, anchoring a Detroit offensive line that became one of the NFL’s most formidable units during his tenure.
His accolades include four Pro Bowl selections (2020, 2022-2024) and three second-team All-Pro honors (2020, 2023, 2024).
Ragnow’s leadership extended beyond the field. He was a team captain and, as head coach Dan Campbell often noted, a cultural pillar during the Lions’ rise to playoff contention.
Despite his success, Ragnow’s career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries.
He played through a fractured throat in 2020, missed most of 2021 with a toe injury, and dealt with a cascade of ailments in subsequent seasons including groin, calf, back, knee, ankle, and a partially torn pectoral muscle.
The physical toll became insurmountable, leading to his difficult decision.
“I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good, but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family’s future,” Ragnow said in his retirement message. “I have given this team everything I have and thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body, and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.”
He added gratitude for the Lions organization and fans, saying, “It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
Ragnow’s decision was not financially motivated.
After signing a four-year, $54 million extension in 2021, he became the league’s highest-paid center.
He leaves behind approximately $20 million on his contract, underscoring that health and longevity outweighed monetary considerations.
Ragnow’s impact on the Lions is evident in both his personal achievements and the team’s resurgence.
He was a key figure during Detroit’s first division title run in three decades in 2023, with Campbell referring to him as part of the “old guard” that endured the franchise’s lean years.
His performance metrics in 2024 were elite, allowing only two sacks in 583 pass-blocking snaps and posting a 90.8 run-blocking grade, ranking third among all NFL centers.
Ragnow’s retirement leaves a significant void in the Lions’ offensive line.
The team will look to veteran Graham Glasgow and rookie Tate Ratledge to fill the gap.
Glasgow brings experience and versatility, while Ratledge, a recent second-round pick, offers promise but not the same level of chemistry or command that Ragnow provided.
Ragnow’s departure at 29, while still performing at an elite level, highlights the physical demands and risks inherent in professional football.
His story raises questions about the long-term health of NFL players and the difficult choices they face between career longevity and personal well-being.
“It takes a toll on you,” he said after the Lions’ playoff run last season. “I need to find a way to get back to Frank and I don’t regret any of this at all, but it weighs on you and I’m just going to take some time and really figure everything out to make sure that I’m feeling good, not only for me the football player but for me to be the best husband and best father and everything with that as well.”
His decision, though difficult, reflects a growing awareness among athletes of the importance of health and life beyond football.
ESPN’s Ryan McGee looking at Razorbacks’ history coming up short in Omaha
After Hogs left as the highest-seeded team going to Super Regional, how winning could get the monkey off Dave Van Horn’s back.
