Sports

Arkansas looks for first SEC win

Published

4 months ago

January 11, 2025

Who: rv/rv Arkansas Razorbacks (11-4, 0-2 SEC) vs #8/8 Florida Gators (14-1, 1-1 SEC)
What: For the first time in program history, Arkansas opens league play (SEC and SWC) versus three-straight, top-25 teams.
When: Saturday – Jan. 11 – 3:00 pm (CT)
Where: Fayetteville, Ark. • Bud Walton Arena/Nolan Richardson Court (19,200)
How (to follow):
– TV/Stream: ESPN / Watch ESPN (Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes)
– Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
– Sirius/XM: Sirius: 84 / XM: 84 || SXM App Channel 84
– Arkansas Gameday App
– Live Stats

– Arkansas Game Notes
– Florida Game Notes
– SEC Notes/Stats

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will close its two-game homestand by hosting #8 Florida on Saturday (Jan. 11). Tipoff is set for 3 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Next week, Arkansas plays a pair of road games starting at LSU on Tuesday (Jan. 14) with tipoff set for 8 pm (CT).

NOTES:

Versus Florida

Arkansas and Florida have met on 39 previous occasions, all since the Razorbacks entered the SEC for the 1991-92 season.
Florida owns a 27-15 advantage in the series overall. However, Arkansas leads 10-7 in games played in Fayetteville, including a two-game winning streak.
Last year, Florida won 90-68 in Gainesville. Arkansas got off to a slow start but used a 12-3 run to cut its deficit to 10 after a Joseph Pinion fastbreak basket with 6:56 left in the first half. However, Florida opened the second half with an 11-4 run to push its lead to 20 and never looked back. Florida, which led the NCAA in rebounding, held a 48-31 advantage on the boards including 15 offensive boards to out-score Arkansas 17-8 on second-chance points.

Playing #8

This will be the second time this year Arkansas has faced a team ranked #$8 in the AP poll. In game two, then #16 Arkansas lost to then #8 Baylor, 72-67, in Dallas.
All-time, Arkansas is 3-6 versus AP #8 teams.
However, Coach Calipari is 7-2 all-time versus AP #8 teams. (2-0 at UMass • 1-0 at Memphis • 4-1 at Kentucky • 0-1 at Arkansas)

Arkansas Has Tough Opening Stretch

Arkansas opened the SEC slate at #1 Tennessee, hosted #23 Ole Miss on Wednesday and hosts #8 Florida on Saturday.
The Razorbacks have never opened conference action (SEC nor SWC) by facing three-straight, top 25 opponents. The closest was playing three ranked opponents in games 2, 3 and 4 to open the 2022-23 SEC season. In 1999-00, Arkansas closed the regular season by facing six-straight, top-25 opponents (going 2-4) vs #11 Florida (L, 80-71) on Feb. 15, vs #16 LSU (L, 78-67) on Feb. 19, vs #24 Vanderbilt (W, 78-63), at #18 Kentucky (L, 60-55) on Feb. 26, at #11 Tennessee (L, 73-66) and vs #19 Auburn (W, 64-55).
The last time Arkansas played three-straight, top-25 opponents was twice in the 2022-23 season. First, games 2, 3 and 4 of the of the 2022-23 conference season, Arkansas faced #20 Missouri (W, 74-68) on Jan. 4, played at #22 Auburn (L, 72-59) on Jan. 7 and hosted #4 Alabama (L, 84-69) on Jan. 11. Later, the Razorbacks closed the regular season by playing at #2 Alabama (L, 86-83) on Feb. 25, at #2 Tennessee (L, 75-57) on Feb. 28 and vs #23 Kentucky (L, 88-79) on Mar. 4.
Overall, Arkansas has only played at least three-straight, top-25 opponents in the regular season 8 times including twice in 2022-23 (see above), once in 2002-03 (at #4 Florida, vs #22 Alabama, at #23 Miss State), once in 2001-02 (at #15 Georgia, vs #5 Florida, at #7 Alabama), once (technically twice) in 1999-00 (see above), once in 1998-99 (at #23 Florida, vs #6 Kentucky, vs #2 Auburn), once in 1990 Preseason NIT (vs #15 Oklahoma, vs #6 Duke, vs #3 Arizona) and once in 1980 Alaska Shootout (#11 Mizzou, #12 LSU, #13 North Carolina).

Some Good News

In 2022-23, when Arkansas played three straight, top-25 teams in games 2, 3, and 4 of the SEC season, the Razorbacks went 1-2 by beating #20 Mizzou and losing to #22 Auburn and #4 Alabama. Overall, Arkansas started that season 1-5 in league play but finished the year by making its third-straight Sweet 16.
In 2021-22, Arkansas started league play 0-3 but finished 13-5 in the league and reached the NCAA Elite 8.
In 2020-21, Arkansas started league play 1-3 to start and was 2-4 in the league after six conference game. The Hogs won its final 13 league games, finishing 13-4 in the SEC, and reached the NCAA Elite 8.
The SEC has had at least one team make the NCAA Tournament field during five of the last six seasons after an 0-2 conference start when the Big Dance has been held including Florida (2024) • Texas A&M (2024) • Miss State (2023) • Arkansas (2022) • Mississippi State (2019) • Tennessee (2018) • Texas A&M( 2018)

Adou is Now #1

Adou Thiero, who was 7-of-12 from the field versus Ole Miss, now leads the SEC, and ranks 20th in the NCAA, in field goal percentage at 60.8%. He has shot over 60% from the field in 8 of his 14 games. He is shooting an impressive 68.6% (81-118) from inside the 3-point arc.
Last time out, Thiero led the team with 17 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Thiero has led the team in scoring a team-best seven times, led the team in rebounding a team-best eight times and led the team in steals a team-best seven times.

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

Sports

Legendary Arkansas Coach Passes Away Saturday

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2025

Staff Reports

Harold Horton

FAYETTEVILLE – Harold Horton, a revered figure in Arkansas football history, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. His family confirmed his passing through social media.

Born in DeWitt, Arkansas, Horton played as a defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1959 to 1961 under legendary coach Frank Broyles. During his playing career, the Razorbacks secured or shared the Southwest Conference (SWC) championship each season and won the 1960 Gator Bowl.

After a brief stint coaching high school football, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1968 as an assistant coach. Over the next 13 years, he served under Broyles and later Lou Holtz, helping to shape some of the Razorbacks’ most formidable defensive units.

In 1982, Horton became head coach at the University of Central Arkansas, where he compiled a remarkable 74–12–5 record over eight seasons. Under his leadership, UCA won back-to-back NAIA Division I national championships in 1984 and 1985 and captured seven consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles from 1983 to 1989.

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Head Coach Nathan Brown paid tribute to Horton, stating, “Prayers for the Coach Harold Horton family today. Coach Horton was one of the great coaches in UCA Football history. Him and his staffs brought championships and pride to the Bear program. Thanks for always supporting and rooting for me and the Bears over the years.”

Following his coaching career, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1990 to work in football operations. He later served as president of the Razorback Foundation from 2001 to 2012, playing a key role in fundraising and athletic development initiatives. His devotion to the Razorbacks spanned nearly four decades.

Horton’s legacy lives on through his family, including his son, Tim Horton, a former Razorbacks wide receiver who went on to a successful college coaching career of his own.

Sports

Hogs Shut Out Texas In Series Opener

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE – Behind a dominant outing from Zach Root, No. 11 Arkansas (38-9, 15-7 SEC) rolled to a 9-0 shutout win over No. 1 Texas (38-6, 19-3 SEC) in Thursday night’s series opener at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Root struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed just two hits and two walks over a career-long eight innings. Veteran reliever Will McEntire closed out the combined two-hit shutout with a scoreless ninth, adding three strikeouts.

With the win, Arkansas improved to 28-3 at home this season and secured its eighth straight year with at least 28 home victories. The Razorbacks have now reached that milestone every full season since 2017.

The offense gave Root plenty of support early. Carson Boles launched a two-run homer in the second inning to put the Hogs on top, 2-0. Cam Kozeal extended the lead to 5-0 in the third with a two-out, three-run shot to right center.

Arkansas broke the game open in the fourth with four more runs. Justin Thomas Jr. drove in one with a single, followed by a two-run double from Wehiwa Aloy and an RBI single from Kuhio Aloy, giving the Razorbacks a 9-0 cushion.

Kozeal finished with three RBIs and is now slashing .362/.409/.656 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs this season. Wehiwa Aloy raised his team-best slash line to .369/.454/.723.

The Razorbacks will look to clinch the series Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network with Karl Ravech and Kyle Peterson on the call.

Sports

Arkansas Softball Takes On LSU This Weekend

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 6/8 Arkansas wraps up its regular season with a top-10 showdown against No. 10 LSU this Thursday through Saturday at Bogle Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday’s finale beginning at 1 p.m. All games will stream on SEC Network+.

Arkansas (36-10, 12-9 SEC) is riding high after securing its highest-ranked series win in program history last weekend at No. 1/2 Texas A&M. The Razorbacks claimed the first two games, marking their fifth straight SEC series victory and fourth series win over a Top 10 opponent this season.

The Hogs have notched a program-best 21 run-rule wins and have outscored opponents 356-128. Defensively, they lead the nation with a .985 fielding percentage and have committed just 17 errors in 46 games.

This weekend is packed with promotions: a replica jersey giveaway and Autism Awareness Night on Thursday, a Red Out and postgame base run on Friday, and Senior Day and a trading card giveaway on Saturday.

In the polls, Arkansas reached a program-high No. 2 in the Softball America rankings and remains in the Top 10 across all major national polls.

LSU (39-11, 11-10 SEC) enters the series after a road series win over No. 8 Florida. The Tigers are batting .341 as a team, led by freshman Tori Edwards (.423, 18 HR, 68 RBI). In the circle, LSU holds a 2.72 ERA, led by Sydney Berzon (17-5, 2.29 ERA).

Freshman standout Ella McDowell is hitting .397 with 56 hits and 47 RBI, leading Arkansas in SEC play with a .420 average. She has earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors three times and was recently named D1 Softball National Player of the Week.

First baseman Bri Ellis is putting up historic numbers, batting .491 with 24 home runs and a 1.863 OPS — the best in the nation and potentially the highest single-season OPS since 2016.

In the circle, junior lefty Robyn Herron leads the Razorbacks with a 15-4 record, 2.25 ERA, and 127 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .178 against her.

Outfielder Reagan Johnson continues to climb the Razorbacks’ record books, now the program’s all-time batting average leader (.376). She has recorded multiple 70+ hit seasons and ranks top five in career stolen bases.

As a team, Arkansas has advanced runners in 58% of opportunities this season and is 169-46 under Coach Courtney Deifel when playing error-free.

Sports

Hogs Seek First Series Win At Florida Since 2012

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2025

Staff Reports

(PHOTO: University of Arkansas Sports Information)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fifth-ranked Arkansas (36-7, 13-5 SEC) travels to Condron Family Ballpark for a key three-game SEC series against Florida (28-15, 6-12 SEC) from April 25-27. The Razorbacks are chasing their first series win in Gainesville since 2012.

Game 1 is set for 5:30 p.m. CT Friday on SEC Network+, with Sean Kelley and Nick Belmonte on the call. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on SEC Network and concludes Sunday at noon on SEC Network+.

Arkansas enters the weekend in second place in the SEC standings but is looking to bounce back after dropping back-to-back series for the first time this season. A third straight SEC series loss would be the program’s first since 2016.

The Razorbacks have won two of three SEC road series this year, including a sweep at then-No. 14 Vanderbilt. Arkansas snapped a 15-year drought without a series win at Vanderbilt in March and now hopes to do the same at Florida.

The pitching matchups are set:
Friday – Arkansas LHP Zach Root (5-2, 4.19 ERA) vs. Florida RHP Liam Peterson (6-2, 3.74 ERA)
Saturday – Arkansas RHP Gage Wood (0-0, 6.14 ERA) vs. Florida RHP Aidan King (4-1, 3.63 ERA)
Sunday – Arkansas LHP Landon Beidelschies (4-0, 4.06 ERA), Florida starter TBD

Fans can also listen to the Razorback Sports Network with Phil Elson on the call, available via the Razorback app and affiliate stations.

Historically, Arkansas holds a narrow 38-36 edge in the all-time series, but trails 13-20 in games played in Gainesville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks are 10-14 on the road against Florida. The Hogs have won two of their last three series against the Gators, both in Fayetteville, but dropped the 2022 series in Gainesville.

Arkansas has recorded 18 or more SEC wins in seven straight seasons and finished with 20 or more wins five times, including four under Van Horn. They are the first team since LSU (1994–97) to post four 20-win SEC campaigns in five years.

With a strong record and postseason positioning on the line, the Razorbacks hope to end a 13-year Gainesville slump and stay among the conference elite.

Sports

Razorbacks Blank UALR To Complete Midweek Sweep

Published

2 weeks ago

April 24, 2025

Staff Reports

LITTLE ROCK – No. 5 Arkansas (36-7) completed a dominant midweek sweep of Little Rock (18-22) with a 4-0 shutout Wednesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium — the Razorbacks’ fifth shutout of the season and second in as many nights.

Six Arkansas pitchers combined for a 15-strikeout gem, holding the Trojans scoreless for nine innings. Starter Colin Fisher tossed two frames before turning things over to the bullpen. True freshman Steele Eaves earned his first collegiate win with two scoreless innings, followed by clean appearances from Cole Gibler (6 SO), Ben Bybee, Christian Foutch, and Will McEntire.

Offensively, Arkansas struck early in the third inning with a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead. That cushion held until the seventh when shortstop Wehiwa Aloy blasted his team-leading 16th home run of the season. Aloy went 2-for-5, boosting his season average to .379 while leading the team in nearly every offensive category, including runs (61), hits (69), and total bases (134).

Outfielder Charles Davalan added to the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the eighth, marking his 22nd multi-hit game of the season.

The Razorbacks improved to 11-1 in midweek games and will wrap up their midweek schedule on Tuesday, April 29, at Missouri State. But first, they head to Florida for a key SEC road series April 25-27. Friday’s opener in Gainesville is set for 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.