We are working on brackets and fans do not like one of Zach’s selections. Plus Shawn Murnin from the Naturals is here to play an emergency edition of “sear Shawn”.
Democrat-Gazette’s Tom Murphy on Razorbacks starting spring practice
What he saw Sunday and organization may be better but not a lot to learn from some basics with new coaching staff, revamped roster.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 3-17-26
Happy St. Patrick’s day! A little more “green” that typical in Tuscaloosa, Notes about Portland and talking about the strength of conferences in the NCAA Tournament.
Guests: Bruce Stanton and Tom Murphy!
479 Equipment Ruscin & Zach podcast March 16
Arkansas wins the SEC Tournament.
Bruce Pearl needs to shut his big mouth.
Alabama has a player arrested days before the NCAA Tournament.
Target is getting rid of the toy aisle? Plus bums of the week.
Razorbacks Silverfield, players on first day of spring practice Sunday
Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield with the media Monday on first spring practice held Sunday indoors.
Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson and defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes with the media Monday on first spring practice held Sunday indoors.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 3-16-26
Arkansas claims it’s first SEC Tournament Championship since 2000! Hogs take series from Ole Miss. Breaking down the tournament draw!
Razorbacks win SEC Tournament title, first since 2000
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The wait is finally over for Arkansas basketball.
After more than two decades without an SEC Tournament championship, the Razorbacks finished the job Sunday by defeating Vanderbilt 86–75 at Bridgestone Arena.
The victory gave Arkansas its first conference tournament title since 2000 and secured the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
It also marked a milestone moment for coach John Calipari and a roster that kept pushing through a demanding SEC schedule.
Behind a strong performance from guard Darius Acuff Jr., the Hogs controlled key stretches of the game and closed it out late to claim the program’s second SEC Tournament crown.
A long-awaited championship moment
Arkansas had come close before but hadn’t finished the job in this event for many years.
The program’s previous SEC Tournament title came in 2000 under Nolan Richardson, when the Razorbacks defeated Auburn in the championship game.
That drought ended Sunday afternoon.
The Razorbacks played with confidence early and gradually built momentum as the game progressed.
Vanderbilt made several runs, but Arkansas answered with timely baskets and steady defense.
The victory was another step forward for a team that had already shown it could compete with anyone in the conference this season.
Acuff leads the Razorbacks
Darius Acuff Jr. once again delivered when Arkansas needed him most.
The standout guard, who has been one of the team’s most reliable players throughout the season, helped pace the offense and earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
Acuff’s scoring and playmaking helped the Razorbacks maintain control during crucial moments, especially when Vanderbilt tried to cut into the lead.
His performance reflected the role he has played all season as a leader for Arkansas. When the game tightened, the ball often found its way into his hands.
Vanderbilt entered the championship game with momentum after an impressive tournament run.
But Arkansas handled the challenge.
Each time the Commodores threatened to shift the game’s direction, the Razorbacks responded with a big basket or defensive stop. The Hogs gradually stretched their lead late in the second half and eventually secured the 86–75 victory.
Arkansas’ balanced scoring and defensive effort helped prevent Vanderbilt from gaining sustained momentum.
By the final minutes, the Razorbacks were firmly in control.
Tournament run builds confidence
The championship victory capped a strong week for Arkansas in Nashville.
The Razorbacks had already survived a tough semifinal game against Ole Miss to reach the title matchup. That overtime win showed the team’s resilience and helped set the stage for Sunday’s celebration.
Arkansas’ ability to win close games throughout the tournament proved important. The Hogs stayed calm during pressure situations and relied on their experienced players to finish possessions.
That approach carried over into the championship game.
For Arkansas fans, the victory carries extra significance.
The program has produced strong teams over the years but had not captured the SEC Tournament title since the turn of the century. The Razorbacks’ triumph finally ended that stretch and added another chapter to the school’s basketball history.
The championship also gives Arkansas momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Winning four games in four days in one of college basketball’s toughest leagues is never easy. Doing it against quality opponents makes the accomplishment even more meaningful.
Razorbacks turn attention to March Madness
With the SEC Tournament trophy secured, Arkansas now shifts its focus to the NCAA Tournament.
The Razorbacks will enter the national bracket with confidence after proving they can handle high-pressure games.
Their offense has been explosive, and the team has shown the ability to respond when games become tight late.
If the Hogs continue to get strong performances from players like Acuff and maintain the balance they displayed in Nashville, they could be a difficult opponent in the weeks ahead.
For now, though, Arkansas can celebrate a moment that has been more than two decades in the making.
The Razorbacks are SEC Tournament champions once again.
Razorbacks rally late to clinch SEC opening series vs Mississippi State
Fifth-ranked Arkansas handled a long Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium by doing what it needed most — win the game that mattered.
After dropping the first game of a doubleheader, Arkansas responded with a late comeback in the nightcap to defeat third-ranked Mississippi State 7-3 and clinch the SEC Opening Weekend series.
The split gave the Razorbacks a 2-1 conference start and continued a strong trend in Fayetteville against the Bulldogs.
The Hogs improved to 14-6 overall and secured their ninth straight SEC Opening Weekend series victory, a streak that dates back to 2017.
Arkansas has also now won nine consecutive home series against Mississippi State at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The day included two very different games, beginning with a difficult afternoon for Arkansas before a determined comeback in the evening.
Mississippi State controls first game of doubleheader
The Razorbacks struggled to generate offense early Saturday as Mississippi State starter Tomas Valincius controlled the opening game.
Valincius worked seven shutout innings and struck out seven batters, preventing Arkansas from finding any rhythm at the plate. By the time the Hogs broke through late, the Bulldogs had already built a comfortable lead.
Mississippi State eventually claimed a 7-2 win in the first contest of the doubleheader.
Arkansas starter Hunter Dietz battled through 4.2 innings on the mound. The right-hander allowed five runs on four hits and issued three walks while recording eight strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Relievers Tate McGuire and Cooper Dossett combined to finish the game for the Razorbacks. McGuire worked 3.1 innings and allowed two runs while striking out two. Dossett handled the final inning and struck out one.
The Hogs finally pushed across runs in the eighth inning when Nolan Souza drove in a run with a single and Ryder Helfrick followed with an RBI double. The rally cut into the deficit but wasn’t enough to overcome Mississippi State’s early advantage.
Helfrick and TJ Pompey each finished with multiple hits in the opener. Helfrick went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while Pompey also recorded two hits and tripled during the game.
Despite the loss, Arkansas still had a chance to take the series heading into the nightcap.
Razorbacks erase deficit to clinch series
The second game began with another early challenge for the Razorbacks.
Mississippi State scored three runs in the second inning to take the lead and briefly put Arkansas in a difficult spot. But the Hogs gradually chipped away before delivering the decisive rally late.
Arkansas starter Colin Fisher settled in after the early damage. The right-hander worked 4.2 innings and allowed three runs while striking out six before handing the game over to the bullpen.
The Razorbacks trimmed the deficit in the third inning. Two runs crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a passed ball, pulling Arkansas within a run.
Ryder Helfrick later tied the game in the fifth inning with a two-out RBI single that brought the score even at 3-3.
The turning point came late.
Arkansas erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to take control of the game. Maika Niu delivered the go-ahead RBI single, and TJ Pompey followed with a run-scoring hit. The rally continued with a bases-loaded walk and a run coming home on an error.
The four-run inning turned a tight contest into a comfortable lead.
The Razorback bullpen played a major role in the comeback. Steele Eaves, Parker Coil and Ethan McElvain combined for 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, shutting down the Bulldogs and allowing the offense time to rally.
McElvain earned the win to move to 3-0 on the season and closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning to secure the 7-3 victory.
Arkansas continues strong home series run
With the win, the Razorbacks extended their dominance over Mississippi State in Fayetteville. Arkansas hasn’t lost a home series to the Bulldogs since 2007.
The series victory also continued the program’s success in SEC opening weekends. Arkansas hasn’t dropped an opening SEC series since 2016.
Next up, Arkansas will finish its season-long 18-game homestand with a midweek series against Northern Colorado. First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
