Sports

Legendary Razorback Reporter Bob Holt Passes

Published

1 month ago

December 5, 2024

COLUMBIA, MO – Bob Holt, a fixture on the Razorback beat for over forty years, died Wednesday night just days after suffering a reported medical emergency while covering the Hogs’ loss to the Missouri Tigers over the weekend.

“Bob Holt, one of the last great true Journalist passed at 10:38 tonight,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sports Editor Wally Hall posted on social media Wednesday. ” Ironically the doctor on duty was a former Razorback baseball player. Bob was an amazing person. Kindest most gentle man in the world, always lifting people up and helping them.”

Holt was a graduate of the famed University of Missouri journalism school, and came to Arkansas in 1981 following his graduation. Over the course of his career, He was voted Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year four times and has been inducted to the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.

“We are saddened to hear the news of the loss of longtime Arkansas sportswriter Bob Holt. Bob was the consummate journalist who helped tell the stories of Razorback student-athletes, coaches and fans to millions of readers across our state and beyond for four decades,” University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “His never-ending curiosity was genuine and allowed him to be inquisitive in a way that would allow him to get to the heart of any topic. Bob will be missed by many in our Razorback Family, throughout the Southeastern Conference and within collegiate athletics. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

Over the course of his career, Holt was known among his colleagues for providing his targets with an abundance of questions during press conferences. He became well known across the country with coaches and readers alike.

“”People kind of make fun of me for, I don’t know, wearing people down,” Holt told AL.Com in a profile published in 2014. “I’m not comparing myself to [late CBS newsman] Mike Wallace at all, but if you ask someone enough questions … I just have a natural curiosity that I think every reporter should have. I just like to ask questions.”

Arkansas Head Basketball Coach John Calipari took a moment to reflect on Holt during his postgame press conference at Miami on Tuesday night, saying that he had been praying fervently for him during the week.

“One of the good guys in this profession,” Calipari said. “Literally when you think of a good man, that’s who he is.”

Funeral services are pending.

Sports

Hogs fall to Ole Miss, remain winless in SEC play

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2025

Grant Merrill

FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-4, 0-2 SEC) remain winless in conference play after a tough 73-66 loss to No. 23 Ole Miss (13-2, 2-0 SEC) on Wednesday night. Despite a strong start and home-court advantage, Arkansas couldn’t hold off the Rebels, who surged ahead in the second half to secure the win.

The Razorbacks opened with a commanding 10-5 lead, setting the tone for a competitive first half. Arkansas led for most of the period until Ole Miss tied the game at 36-36 on a Sean Pedulla three-pointer with just 31 seconds remaining in the half. That shot marked a pivotal moment, as it was the last time Arkansas held a lead in the game.

Coming out of halftime, Matthew Murrell’s layup gave Ole Miss an early advantage in the second half. Although Arkansas guard Boogie Fland quickly answered with a jump shot to tie the game at 38-38, the Rebels responded with a three-pointer from Davon Barnes, putting them ahead for good.

Ole Miss extended its lead in the final moments, with D.J. Wagner’s layup bringing the score to 72-64 with just 21 seconds remaining. Arkansas managed to close the gap slightly, but the Razorbacks couldn’t convert critical opportunities, leaving them with another SEC loss.

For Arkansas, the loss highlights the challenges of conference play and the need for resilience as they seek their first SEC win under legendary coach John Calipari. The Razorbacks will look to regroup and capitalize on their next opportunity to break into the conference win column.

Sports

Hogs, #22 Ole Miss set to tangle in SEC home opener

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2025

Staff Reports

Who: rv/rv Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3, 0-1 SEC) vs #23/22 Ole Miss Rebels (12-2, 1-0 SEC)
What: Arkansas plays its 2025 SEC home opener.
When: Wednesday – Jan. 8 – 6:00 pm (CT)
Where: Fayetteville, Ark. • Bud Walton Arena/Nolan Richardson Court (19,200)
How (to follow):
– TV/Stream: ESPN2 / Watch ESPN (Tom Hart and Dane Bradshaw)
– Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
– Sirius/XM: Sirius: 132 / XM: 191 || SXM App Channel 961
– Arkansas Gameday App
– Live Stats

– Arkansas Game Notes
– Ole Miss Game Notes
– SEC Notes/Stats

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will host #23/22 Ole Miss on Wednesday (Jan. 8) for the Razorbacks’ 2025 SEC home opener. Tipoff is set for 6 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Later this week, Arkansas stays in Fayetteville to host #8 Florida on Saturday (Jan. 11). Tipoff is set for 3 pm.

NOTES:
Versus Ole Miss

This will be the 87th meeting between Arkansas and Ole Miss. Arkansas owns a 52-34 advantage all-time in the series thanks to an 18-11 mark in games played in Fayetteville and a 24-2 advantage in neutral-site games.
Since Arkansas joined the SEC, the Razorback lead in the series is just 30-28 as the Hogs have won 9 of the last 12 in the series.
Ole Miss won the last meeting, 77-51, on Jan. 24, 2024, in Oxford. Arkansas was short-handed in the loss as it was without leading scorer – Tramon Mark (migraine) – for the game and leading rebounder – Trevon Brazile (knee soreness) – missed the second half. Arkansas got off to a slow start with eight turnovers in the first nine minutes but only committed two the rest of the first half and ended with 14 for the game. Ole Miss outscored the Hogs 17-2 on points off turnovers and raced out to a 24-9 lead. However, Arkansas answered with a 14-5 run to cut its deficit to six (29-23) with 4:08 left in the first half. Ole Miss led 38-26 at the break and put the game away midway through the second half with an 8-0 run to go up 63-43 and held at least a 20-point cushion the rest of the way.

Arkansas in SEC Home Openers

Arkansas will play its first SEC home game Wednesday by hosting Ole Miss.
The Razorbacks are 20-13 all-time in SEC home openers.
Arkansas is 4-4 when Ole Miss is the first home SEC game.

Razorbacks Are Pretty Good Shooting Overall

Arkansas ranks 9th in the NCAA (2nd in the SEC) in overall field goal percentage at 50.7% while ranking 19th in the NCAA (3rd SEC) in effective FG% (57.3%).

Less of a Threat

Arkansas is holding its opponents to 29.6% shooting from 3-point range. As good as that sounds, it ranks only 9th in the SEC but does rank 53rd in the NCAA.

Block Party

Arkansas has blocked at least five shots nine times this season and ranks 5th nationally in blocked shots, averaging 6.0 per game.

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.

Sports

Top ranked Tennessee trounces Hogs in SEC opener

Published

5 days ago

January 5, 2025

Staff Reports

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In their SEC opener, top-ranked Tennessee leveraged its rebounding prowess and perimeter shooting to defeat #23 Arkansas 76-52 on Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Volunteers out-rebounded the Razorbacks 51-29 and converted 10-of-26 three-point attempts to maintain their top-ranking status. Chaz Lanier led the charge for Tennessee, scoring 29 points, including five three-pointers, while Igor Milicic Jr. contributed a double-double with 13 points and an impressive 18 rebounds.

Despite Arkansas shooting 38% from the field and delivering a strong defensive showing with 10 blocked shots, the Razorbacks struggled on the boards, conceding 24 offensive rebounds to Tennessee. The Volunteers’ ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved critical, as they recorded 18 assists on their 28 made baskets compared to Arkansas’ nine assists on 20 field goals. The game marked Arkansas’ first time losing the second half this season, as Tennessee extended its lead after halftime to secure the win.

In the first half, Arkansas held an early 12-9 lead before Tennessee’s 14-2 run shifted the momentum. The Razorbacks faced scoring droughts and struggled from the free-throw line, going just 3-of-8 compared to Tennessee’s 7-of-8. Tennessee dominated the boards, out-rebounding Arkansas 27-12 in the first half, and entered the break with a 42-27 lead. Chaz Lanier scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the opening period, while D.J. Wagner led Arkansas with eight points, contributing to his season-high 17-point performance.

The second half saw both teams struggle offensively, with Tennessee shooting 37.5% and Arkansas 34.5% from the field. However, the Volunteers continued to excel from beyond the arc, making 5-of-12 three-pointers compared to Arkansas’ 2-of-17. Tennessee’s lead never dipped below 13 points, thanks to timely three-pointers and contributions from Lanier, who added 15 points in the second half. Jonas Aidoo also made an impact in the period, recording all five of his rebounds and four points.

The loss drops Arkansas to 10-4 overall and 0-1 in SEC play, while Tennessee improves to 14-0 and 1-0 in the conference. The Razorbacks will look to bounce back as they return to Bud Walton Arena for a two-game homestand starting with Ole Miss on Wednesday, January 8, at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2, offering Arkansas a chance to regroup and refocus after a challenging start to conference play.