Connect with us

Arkansas

Arkansas basketball’s Kentucky contingent hopes to avenge last year’s March Madness stunner

Published

on

Arkansas basketball’s Kentucky contingent hopes to avenge last year’s March Madness stunner


play

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament is an opportunity for Arkansas basketball to erase all of the struggles from earlier this season. Wins in March will ensure John Calipari’s first campaign in Fayetteville is remembered fondly, even after an 0-5 start in the SEC.

But it’s also a chance for a contingent of former Kentucky Wildcats to grasp some closure off last year’s disappointment. D.J. Wagner, Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero were stunned by 14-seed Oakland last year, which paved the rocky road for Calipari to leave Kentucky and join the Razorbacks (20-13).

Advertisement

Thiero won’t play Thursday against No. 7 Kansas (21-12) in the first round, but Wagner and Ivisic will suit up for No. 10 Arkansas. They might be wearing different colors this spring, but they can’t forget the hurt that came with last year’s early exit.

“For me personally, it was very painful. That wasn’t the plan to lose. That’s never the plan, though, to lose, especially in the first round and stuff like that,” Wagner said. “I’m just happy to be back, happy to have another opportunity and another go at it, and now I know you can’t take anything lightly or take anything for granted.”

Wagner, Ivisic and Thiero combined for five points in the loss to Oakland. They made just two shots, with Wagner going 0 for 5. Ivisic had three turnovers.

Advertisement

Watch Arkansas vs. Kansas in first round of March Madness on Fubo (free trial)

Neither player is hiding from last year’s disappointment. They know it’s a talking point as they prepare for another trip to the big dance, but the past struggles aren’t worth a discussion inside the Arkansas locker room.

“Tonight, maybe we’ll talk about it after we go over film,” Ivisic said. “You know, we don’t even have to say anything. We know what time it is.”

Advertisement

But not every player on the Arkansas roster is scarred by early exits.

Jonas Aidoo reached the Elite Eight last season with Tennessee, and Johnell Davis is two years removed from being the leading scorer on a Florida Atlantic team that reached the Final Four. Even with their veteran experience, Arkansas is one of the youngest teams in the field. Aidoo and Davis are embracing a mentorship role in Providence.

“I’m just trying to tell them how hard it is,” Davis said. “We got to take every game serious. Every moment matters.”

Wagner and Ivisic have first-hand experience on the difficulties of March. They want a longer run this time with the Hogs.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Advertisement



Source link

Arkansas

Arkansas needs balanced strategy to address educator concerns about AI

Published

on

Arkansas needs balanced strategy to address educator concerns about AI


COMMENTARY: While AI can offer transformative support for students who need it, it also risks eroding the foundational skills we are trying to help them acquire. Arkansas needs a balanced strategy that prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing rigor.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arkansas

Congressional subcommittee to hold hearing in Little Rock on ‘failures’ of local housing authority | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

on

Congressional subcommittee to hold hearing in Little Rock on ‘failures’ of local housing authority | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Joseph Flaherty

jflaherty@adgnewsroom.com

Joseph Flaherty covers the city of Little Rock for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, he has worked for the newspaper since 2020.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Arkansas

11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

on

11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


Arrests

Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Scott Minor, 45, of Elm Street in Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested Friday on suspicion of computer child pornography and sexually grooming a child. Minor was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,000 bond set.

Bentonville

Advertisement

Damond Drake, 52, of West Highland Drive in Rogers was arrested Saturday on suspicion of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine. Drake was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Fayetteville

Cornelius Anderson, 33, of Dawn Street in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. Anderson remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Eduard Korshakov, 37, of Prairie Dunes Trail in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree domestic battery and interference with emergency communications. Korshakov remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Efrain Quiroz, 29, of North Shamblin Avenue in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree battery and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Quiroz remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Advertisement

Leo Ward, 21, of West Tanner Drive in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of aggravated residential burglary and stalking. Ward was released from the Washington County Detention Center Monday on $25,000 bond.

Rogers

John Jenkins, 21, of Arkansas 351 in Jonesboro was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit/debit card. Jenkins was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Springdale

Ashlyn Neal, 19, of Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, second-degree battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operations. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Advertisement

Jose Neal, 37, of South Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree domestic battery, third-degree domestic battery, interference with emergency communications and resisting arrest. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Skyler Shane, 31, of Highway 62 in Westville, Ok., was arrested Sunday on suspicion of Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, carrying a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. Shane was released from the Washington County Detention Center Sunday on $3,500 bond.

University of Arkansas Police Department

Celso Adame-Gallegos, 19 of Jade Street in Springdale was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. Adame-Gallegos was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending