Tye & Tommy on the Kendal Briles news, A&M tomorrow night, Jake Bequette joins and more!
Laying Odds Episode 1: w/ Lang Wittman (@TheRailBird333) and Scott Blair
Check out the first full podcast!
Hogs start fast, cruise to lopsided win over Crimson Tide
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It was never close and Arkansas 99-71 win over Alabama was more lopsided than that.
The Razorbacks (12-6, 2-3) got its first road win crushing the Crimson Tide (10-8, 1-6).
Alabama’s last lead in the game came with 8:51 in the first quarter. Arkansas caught fire from deep against Alabama, hitting 15 of their 29 three-pointers, a new season-high.
“Our most complete effort of the SEC season,” Hogs coach Mike Neighbors said later.
A big part was the return of Erynn Barnum, who had been out since a knee injury back on Dec. 5 against California.
“Erynn being back gave us kinda everybody back in their normal roles,” Neighbors said. “As a result we played together, we played hard. It was noticeable.”
Amber Ramirez led the way, nearly triple-doubling against the Tide. Ramirez finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. She hit five three’s, her third time already in conference play hitting five or more triples.
The lead guard duo of Samara Spencer and Makayla Daniels chipped in with 18 points each.
Turning point
The Hogs scored well in the first quarter, totaling 21 points and their defense was suffocating, holding the Tide to just 11 points.
Arkansas held Alabama to just 25 percent shooting in the frame and forced six Alabama turnovers. The Hogs led at halftime,44-27, and put the game away in the third quarter.
Barnum, who only played 10 minutes in the game had six points in the third quarter.
Hogs highlights
• Spencer’s 18 points was a career best for her. So were her four made three-pointers.
• Ramirez’s seven assists in the game matched her career-high (seven at Kentucky in 2018).
• Jersey Wolfenbarger got into double-figures with 12 points.
• Sasha Goforth also returned to double figures, her third time in five SEC games.
• Barnum scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and nabbed a steal.
Next game
The Hogs return to Bud Walton Arena on Sunday afternoon against Mississippi State. That game is set for at 3 p.m. Hogs on the SEC Network.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
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Hogs lose pitching ace for season with injury
It was not the kind of news Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn needed a month out from opening a new season.
Multiple reports surfaced Thursday morning that starting pitcher Peyton Pallette was going to miss the entire 2022 season with an injury that will require Tommy John surgery.
Van Horn was counting on the junior from Benton to be the ace of the staff.
“Throwing the ball better than ever,” Van Horn told the media back in October. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s really starting to look the part. He’s matured a lot physically and mentally.”
Pallette suffered an elbow injury during the final weekend of the regular season and missed the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, but there was no tear and surgery wasn’t required.
This is, according to multiple reports, a new injury.
He posted a 4.02 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 20 walks in 56 innings last year. That landed him a spot on the SEC All-Newcomer Team after his freshman season was cut short by the pandemic.
While his stats weren’t exactly overwhelming scouts a fastball in the upper 90’s combined with a curve ball that has what some call “an elite spin rate” does get folks’ attention.
Now the Razorbacks will be without their top five pitchers from last season and seven of the top eight pitchers.
Senior right-hander Connor Noland is coming off an impressive fall and is the most experienced of the bunch, while sophomore right-hander Jaxon Wiggins and freshman left-hander Hagen Smith have what some have called first-round talent.
The Hogs, ranked as high as No. 2 in preseason polls, is scheduled to begin practice next Friday and open the season against Illinois State on Feb. 18.
Halftime Pod Presented by Eastside Liquor: Holt, West
Briles Staying! Pallette Injured, Who Can Step Up?. WBB Visits Bama. Hogs Football Recruiting Update and more!
Guests- Bob Holt & Danny West
RECRUITING THURSDAY: Pittman putting final pieces together on class
With the final signing date coming up quickly, Richard Davenport of the Democrat-Gazette looks at who they are recruiting.
