Matt Goodheart batted lead-off most of his time playing baseball and was comfortable getting moved there for Wednesday afternoon’s game.
Finally official announcement of Musselman getting new contract
It took awhile for Hogs athletics director Hunter Yurachek to officially announce what everyone knew and Eric Musselman has a new deal.
Pittman looking forward to having first spring game Saturday
With things paused last spring, Sam Pittman didn’t get to do anything until August and he’s looking forward to playing in front of fans.
Henry recalling getting Baum-Walker Stadium opening
The 25th anniversary of the Razorbacks’ ballpark was Tuesday and Hawgs Illustrated’s Clay Henry talked about when it opened on Halftime.
King thinks Georgia’s QB room bulging with star-studded players
Bill King of Nashville Sports Radio said on Halftime J.T. Daniels might not be the best quarterback on Bulldogs’ roster, but he’s got most experience.
Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush: Where Muss Bus is headed
Tye & Tommy on the Muss Bus, change to high school sports in AR, What’s Your Beef Wed and more!
Reports have Muss agreeing to new deal, but nothing official
Apparently Eric Musselman and Hunter Yurachek have reached agreement on a new contract that’s kept Arkansas fans worrying themselves sick.
There were multiple reports Tuesday afternoon the sides reached a deal.
But the UA has been quiet over it, preferring to milk the publicity with social media posts.
On Monday, Yurachek posted what appeared to be a toast:
Sleep well Arkansas! @RazorbackMBB is in good hands. #OneRazorback pic.twitter.com/3dhOFjIEz4
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) April 13, 2021
Then followed with another of the well-produced videos Tuesday:
— Arkansas Razorback Basketball ? (@RazorbackMBB) April 13, 2021
Okay, there’s not going to be a lot of mystery left to resolve other than they are the best on campus at generating a lot of publicity over something that’s likely been in place for a few days.
Now everybody wants to talk about the numbers.
Musselman was making $2.5 million before this season and got an automatic $250,000 raise by making the Sweet 16, putting him at $2.75 million a year.
Bumping him to $3.5 million is really only a $750,000 raise and it may be higher than that.
Alabama gave Nate Oats a new deal that puts him around $3.2 million a year through 2026-27. Yes, the Crimson Tide are paying pretty big bucks for a coach that’s not named Nick Saban.
The new deal will make Musselman the highest-paid coach for the Razorbacks in any sport.
In the second-largest sport for the Hogs, when you take the program to heights not seen in over a quarter-century, well, you’ve earned a hefty raise. The fact that an Arkansas coach is mentioned every time there’s a big-time opening in the country will also play a role.
To be honest, it’s debatable who could be a better fit at Arkansas in today’s world of marketing and social media. Musselman works at that.
And it’s paying off in recruiting … both high school players and graduate transfers.
For now, though, it looks like the deal is done. How long it’s actually been done we may never know.
That really doesn’t matter, though.
All that matters is he keeps winning games and keep feeding the monster he awakened this past season.
Van Horn on Hogs playing well at times in win over Golden Lions
Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn felt UAPB pitcher Joel Barker’s speed on pitches caused some adjust problems at plate early.
Franklin on six-RBI game in 12-4 win over UAPB
Christian Franklin’s career night powered the unanimously top-ranked Razorbacks to their 27th win of the season.
The outfielder finished a triple shy of the cycle, recording three hits and driving in a career-best six runs to lift Arkansas to a 12-4 win against UA Pine Bluff Tuesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Hogs improve to 27-5 overall with their fourth victory of the season against an in-state opponent.
Franklin was hot from the start, doubling to the wall in left center in the bottom of the first before collecting a two-RBI single in the bottom of the second. He drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to bring home his third run of the night.
The consensus preseason All-American saved the best for his last at-bat of the evening, crushing a pitch over the wall in right in the bottom half of the eighth. Franklin’s three-run blast was his team-leading ninth of the year as his fourth, fifth and sixth RBI of the night put Arkansas ahead, 12-4.
Franklin’s big bat backed up a strong pitching performance from starter Caleb Bolden. The righty struck out a career-best nine in five innings of work while limiting UAPB to one run on seven hits and a walk.
Zack Morris, the first reliever out of the bullpen, dazzled as well, striking out four in two hitless frames. Gabe Starks and Heston Tole teamed up to pitch the final two innings, combining for five strikeouts en route to locking down the win.
Offensively, Brady Slavens and Jacob Nesbit also chipped in with productive nights. Slavens drove in two runs by way of two sacrifice flies, and Nesbit racked up his third multi-hit ballgame of the season.
Arkansas closes out its two-game midweek series against UAPB tomorrow night. First pitch in Wednesday’s contest is set for 4 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
Hutchinson with Ruscin & Zach on Muss’ deal, Ole Miss’ celebrations
Andrew Hutchinson of HawgBeat expecting new Musselman contract details soon and why everybody hates the Rebels for being too enthusiastic.
