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Igbokwe named SEC’s top runner of week after big weekend

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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BIRMINGHAM — Fresh off taking over as the world leader in the 400-meter dash this past weekend at the Razorback Invitational, Arkansas junior Obi Igbokwe has been named the Southeastern Conference Runner of the Week, announced Tuesday afternoon by the league office.

It is Igbokwe’s second honor of the season, having earned the recognition two weeks prior for his efforts in the 200-meter dash at the Arkansas Invitational.

Sprints Specialist

Matched up against two 2017 national indoor championships finalists in Florida’s Kunle Fasasi and Texas A&M’s Mylik Kerley, Igbokwe executed his race as instructed by Razorbacks assistant coach Doug Case, beating his competitors to the break.

He maintained his speed through the third turn before changing his gears over the final 100 meters to distance himself from his league rivals and cross the finish line in first place.

His 45.72-second performance tops the NCAA and world leader boards and ties him with former Arkansas quarter-miler great Marqueze Washington at No. 2 in program history.

Through three weeks of competition Igbokwe sits at No. 1 in the 400 and No. 5 in the 200 among NCAA sprinters.

Following a break competition this weekend Igbokwe and his teammates will resume competition Feb. 9-10 as Arkansas hosts the Tyson Invitational.

Foundation, Bielema reach agreement on buyout

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Former head coach Bret Bielema will be getting over $320,000 a month through 2020 to NOT coach the Razorbacks.

Bielema’s buyout with Arkansas has been finalized at $11.935 million, according to an announcement from the Razorback Foundation on Tuesday.

The agreement comes more than two months after Bielema was fired following a season-ending loss to Missouri and after several more months of confusion over the amount he would be due if fired for convenience.

Bielema will receive the buyout in monthly payments of $320,833.33 through Dec. 31, 2020, but that amount can be reduced if he is hired by another school or finds another job. The agreement requires Bielema “to diligently seek and to obtain other employment.”

“We are appreciative of the way Coach Bielema and his representatives at NC Sports, Neil Cornrich and Jonathan Hurst, cooperated in developing the necessary mechanism to implement the monthly guaranty payments while reducing them based upon other sources of income Coach Bielema earns in the future,” Razorback Foundation executive director Scott Varady said in a statement. “Both parties worked in good faith to complete this agreement.”

The buyout was originally reported to be $15.4 million, but the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported during the season that it could be closer to $6 million based on language in his contract.

There was no official statement from the UA or Razorback Foundation about the buyout until Tuesday’s press release.

“I wish Razorback Athletics and the Razorback Foundation continued success in the years ahead,” Bielema said in a statement. “I also want to express my gratitude to all the passionate Razorback fans I had the pleasure to meet at Razorback Clubs in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma during my tenure as head football coach. Having completed this agreement, I am pleased to move forward in my career and am excited about the future.”

Bielema compiled a 29-34 overall record, including an 11-29 mark in SEC play, during his five-year tenure with the Razorbacks.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

SI.com story updates on Bielema job prospects

Andy Hodges
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Considering his name didn’t pop up in any of the coaching carousel this time around, you got the idea Bret Bielema either isn’t working too hard to find another gig or just wasn’t that desirable.

Sports Illustrated was obviously wondering the same thing when Andy Staples did a story on what Arkansas’ former coach is up to these days.

As it turns out, he’s not doing a whole lot.

“I had a morning last week where I had to drop the dogs off to get groomed, pick up a UPS package, make a stop at the pharmacist to pick up a prescription for my daughter and pick the dogs back up,” said Bielema, who became a dad for the first time in July and who was fired in November after five seasons at Arkansas. “I said ‘I need to get back into coaching pretty quick. This is getting to be too much.’”

According to the story, Bielema has been offered assistant coaching jobs in the NFL and television analyst positions.

It doesn’t appear he’s that anxious to get back into the college game, though, as the growing social media trend is something he’s not really that fond of.

Bielema said “about a half dozen” NFL teams have reached out to him about coaching at that level next season. He’s thinking about it, too. He realizes he wouldn’t be able to walk into a head coaching job, but he’s intrigued by the idea of coaching the best players without dealing with some of the more annoying aspects of recruiting. “I don’t mind Twitter,” Bielema said. “But when a kid makes a decision based on how many Twitter followers he gets, that’s when I’m about ready to tap out.”

In the article, he does lament that he made mistakes with the Razorbacks, particularly in understanding the depth necessary to compete for championships in the SEC.

He admitted in the story he didn’t do enough homework. It was obvious halfway through his first season to some that he was completely out of his element in Arkansas and the SEC.

After getting a ridiculous new contract from former athletics director Jeff Long after a 7-6 season his second year that featured a ridiculously high buyout, he thought he had more time than he obviously had.

“I just wish I’d had a little bit more time, but the powers that be made that decision,” he said in the story.

He also realized he’d put on a little weight in his time at Arkansas and claims to be working on that, too.

“In the morning, I start off with one grapefruit. I’ve had 14 days of that now,” he said in the story. “I loved grapefruit 14 days ago. I don’t know about that now.”

 

Cosper scores 17, but Kentucky rolls over Razorbacks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEIVLLE — Devin Cosper scored 17 points on Monday night, but Arkansas fell, 76-65, to Kentucky in Southeastern Conference action in Bud Walton Arena.

The game was even in the opening minutes, with Kentucky up one, 13-12, at the 5:08 mark of the first frame.

The Wildcats moved into a zone defense and finished the first quarter on 6-2 run. They extended the margin with a double-digit scoring run in the second quarter to lead by 17 at the half.

The Razorbacks (11-11, 2-7 SEC) struggled with several long scoring lapses and never seemed to get in sync offensively. The Wildcats (11-11, 3-5 SEC) shot better than 50% for the first half opening a big lead that Arkansas was unable to overcome.

Jailyn Mason and Malica Monk also scored in double figures. Mason had 13 points and three rebounds while Monk added 11 points and six assists for Arkansas

The Razorbacks made four more 3-point field goals (9-5) than the Wildcats and the rebounds were nearly even with Kentucky finishing with a 35-33 advantage.

Notes

• Malica Monk scored 11 points, scoring in double figures for the 21st time in 22 games this season.

• Devin Cosper led the team in scoring with 17 points. It is Cosper’s 16th double-digit points game and it is the sixth time she has paced the team this year.

• Jailyn Mason added 13 points, scoring in double figures for the 14th time this year.

• Malica Monk dished out six assists. It is the seventh game of the year she has had five or more assists and it is the 14th game of her career with five or more assists.

Up Next

Arkansas plays four of its final seven games in Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks also host No. 10 Tennessee, No. 11 Missouri, LSU and No. 15 Texas A&M.

Arkansas sprinkles in road trips to Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt before the SEC Tournament.

Spring football practice starts March 1 for Hogs

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas will start spring practice under new coach Chad Morris on March 1 and will practice at least once after the April 7 Red-White game.

The Razorbacks released practice dates Monday via its football recruiting website. The spring football calendar featured 14 practice dates, leaving one open practice open to reach the allowable 15 workouts during the period.

The Twitter post with the spring schedule featured a line saying that all practices will be open to high school coaches and prospects and extending an invitation to them.

The scheduled practice days are March 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 prior to the UA’s spring break, then on March 26, 28, 29 and April 3 and 5 prior to the Red-White game on April 7 at 1 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The final practice day is scheduled for April 9, two days after the Red-White game, which is not ordinary, but nobody said you have to hold a spring game on the final day of practice.

Hogs set to have 11 games on national television

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Arkansas will make at least 11 national television appearances on an ESPN affiliated network in 2018, the league office announced Monday.

Now in its fourth full year of covering the Southeastern Conference, the SEC Network will feature the Razorbacks for eight of its 11 television games with ESPN2 picking up the remaining three. There will be a potential for more nationally televised games as the season progresses.

Nearly 100 SEC baseball games are slated to air across ESPN networks, including 76 on the SEC Network beginning on March 13, the opening week of conference play.

The schedule finishes the year with the SEC Network airing the entirety of the SEC Baseball Tournament, with the championship game on ESPN2.

The first chance fans will have to watch the Razorbacks on network television will be on Tuesday, March 13, when they face former Southwest Conference rival Texas at Baum Stadium at 7 p.m.

The Razorback-Longhorn matchup will be the first SEC baseball game televised nationally for the 2018 season.

Later that weekend, Arkansas will host the eighth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats for a three-game set starting on Friday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Game one between the Hogs and Wildcats is part of the SEC Network’s four-hour Bases Loaded special.

The show will feature a live compilation of seven games — all 14 teams — taking place that evening across the conference.

Every Bases Loaded game will also be available in its entirety, streaming live via SEC Network+ on Watch ESPN and the ESPN app.

The SEC will continue its Thursday Night Baseball tradition throughout the season on ESPNU and the SEC Network, featuring a preseason Top 25 team nearly every week of the regular season.

After the opening night of conference play, Arkansas will have six more home games televised nationally throughout the season including games against Auburn (April 8), South Carolina (April 12), Texas Tech (April 25), and the entire Texas A&M series (May 11-13).

2018 Arkansas Baseball Television Schedule

Date Time (CT) Game Network
Tues, March 13 7 p.m. Texas at Arkansas SEC Network
Fri, March 16 6:30 p.m. Kentucky at Arkansas SECN+ (Bases Loaded)
Sat, March 24 11 a.m. Arkansas at Florida ESPN2
Sun, March 25 11 a.m. Arkansas at Florida SEC Network
Sun, April 8 4 p.m. Auburn at Arkansas SEC Network
Thurs, April 12 6 p.m. South Carolina at Arkansas SEC Network
Wed, April 25 6 p.m. Texas Tech at Arkansas SEC Network
Sat, May 5 7 p.m. Arkansas at LSU SEC Network
Fri, May 11 6 p.m. Texas A&M at Arkansas SEC Network
Sat, May 12 1 p.m. Texas A&M at Arkansas ESPN2
Sun, May 13 Noon Texas A&M at Arkansas ESPN2

Anderson talks about matchup with Texas A&M

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs coach Mike Anderson met with the media Monday afternoon before the team left for College Station and Tuesday night’s matchup with Texas A&M.

Razorbacks’ rally downs Iowa at ITA Kickoff in Georgia

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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ATHENS, Ga. — Down 3-2, Arkansas closed out the final two matches in three sets Monday to rally over Iowa, defeating the Hawkeyes 4-3.

After freshman Alex Reco defeated Iowa’s Jonas Larsen 7-6, 6-1 on court five to tie the match 3-3, everything came down to the sixth spot.

Freshman Jose Alonso found himself down 3-0 early in the first set to Will Davies. Alonso was able to rally over the Hawkeye, winning the first set 7-5, before Davies tied matched him with a 7-5 win of his own in the second set to force the decisive set.

In the third set, Alonso was able to put away Davies 6-4 to clinch the win for the Razorbacks.

Senior Jose Salazar won his second straight singles match of the season, improving his overall record to 4-1 in dual matches this spring. Salazar was able to handle Iowa’s Josh Silverstein 6-1, 6-2 at the top spot.

Arkansas’ other victory came on court four, as freshman Josh Howard-Tripp improved to 3-2 this spring with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 win over Kareem Allaf.

The Razorbacks fell on courts two and three, as juniors Adam Sanjurjo and Oscar Mesquida each dropped their matches to Piotr Smietana (6-4, 6-4) and Joe Tyler (7-6, 7-6), respectively.

Iowa was able to take the early lead, claiming the doubles points with a 6-1 win on court one and a 6-3 win on court two.

Arkansas 4, Iowa 3

Singles Results – Order of finish (1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6)
1. #113 Jose Salazar (AR) def. Josh Silverstein (IOWA) 6-1, 6-2
2. Piotr Smietana (IOWA) def. Adam Sanjurjo (AR) 6-4, 6-4
3. Joe Tyler (IOWA) def. Oscar Mesquida (AR) 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5)
4. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Kareem Allaf (IOWA) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
5. Alex Reco (AR) def. Jonas Larsen (IOWA) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
6. J. Alonso (AR) def. Will Davies (IOWA) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

Doubles – Order of Finish (1, 2)
1. Larsen/Allaf (IOWA) def. Sanjurjo/Mesquida (AR) 6-1
2. Davies/Smietana (IOWA) def. Salazar/Howard-Tripp (AR) 6-3
3. Tyler/Jacoby (IOWA) vs. Terrell/Reco (AR) 5-4, uf

Arkansas returns to action this weekend, as the Razorbacks host Wichita State on Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by a doubleheader against Saint Louis.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday

Macon becomes first Hog with three SEC honors

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Following two 20-point performances in comeback wins for Arkansas, senior guard Daryl Macon has been named SEC Player of the Week for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career.

Macon becomes the first Razorback in program history to earn the honor three times in a single season and four times in a career.

He averaged 23.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in two wins this week for Arkansas at Georgia and against Oklahoma State in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Macon went 14-of-27 (.519) from the floor, 9-of-17 (.529) from deep and a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line.

His two 20-point efforts bring his season total to eight this year, giving him 11 in his career, including each of the last three games, all off the bench.

Down by as many as 16 at Georgia, Macon helped Arkansas force overtime, where the Razorbacks and Bulldogs would need two extra periods to decide the outcome. Macon scored 25 of Arkansas’ last 41 points, including 16-of-17 in the two overtimes.

After going 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the two overtimes at Georgia, Daryl Macon is a perfect 19-of-19 from the free throw line in the final minute and overtime of games this season. In his career, he is 49-of-53 (.925).

He followed that performance with another 20-point effort against Oklahoma State, where he was the lone Razorback to score in double figures, shooting 7-of-13 (.538) from the field, 4-of-7 (.571) from behind the arc and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

This season, Macon is the only player in the SEC to rank in the top 10 in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (2nd – .431), scoring (4th – 16.6 point per game), free throw percentage (5th – .860), assists (8th – 4.0) and field goal percentage (9th – .457).

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