Arkansas
Desperate teams clash when Florida basketball hosts Arkansas
Swampcast discusses Florida Gators football, basketball
The Sun’s Kevin Brockway and David Whitley discuss the Florida football offseason and UF basketball’s big SEC opener at home against No. 6 Kentucky
Florida basketball hasn’t gotten off to the kind of start in conference play it envisioned.
Neither has an Arkansas team unable to build momentum from a non-conference upset of Duke at Walton Arena,
Something has to give when the Florida Gators (10-5, 0-2 SEC) host Arkansas (9-6, 0-2) on Saturday at the O’Connell Center (4 p.m., ESPN).
Porductive meeting: Florida basketball coach Todd Golden, sophomore guard Riley Kugel clear the air in meeting
Road razed: No resistance: Florida basketball defense unravels in second half again at Ole Miss
Another sellout is expected in a matchup of teams still seeking their first conference win of the season. Florida had a six-game win streak snapped last week when it lost 87-85 at home against No. 6 Kentucky, and followed that up with a 103-85 loss at Ole Miss on Wednesday night.
“The parallels are we are both 0-2 in league and we’ve got to find a way to get it on and get going,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. “I know they’re going to be hungry as hell to get this win, and we’re in the same boat.”
Defensive laspes hurting UF basketball
In the Ole Miss loss, Gators allowed the Rebels to shoot 75 percent from the field in the second half (21-28). Overall, Florida ranks 13th in the SEC in scoring defense, giving up 76.5 points per game.
Florida junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. said the Gators need to improve defensively in all apsects.
“Watching the film, just better ball-screen defense, better close-outs, better contesting, better contest on jump shots, you know, not fouling,” Clayton said. “So, there’s a lot of aspects we can get better on defense.”
Golden said UF’s offense can help its defense by limiting turnovers and finishing stronger at the rim. Ole Miss scored 24 points off of 13 Florida turnovers.
“We had a lot of possessions that led to transition for them,” Golden said. “A lot of it was blocked shots – they blocked 16 shots – and a lot those stayed in bounds. When that happens, usually a guy is flying in trying to make a layup, then pound it off the glass and now they’re going 4-on-3 the other way. There was nothing good about our defensive effort the other night, but we have to help ourselves more in terms of our offense not leading to putting us in predicaments on the defensive end.”
UF basketball, Arkansas coaches share friendship, mutual respect
Golden and Arkansas coach Eric Musselman will coach hard on the court on Saturday, but both share a bond off the court. Musselman offered Golden jobs when he was a G League head coach in Reno and later as a head coach at Nevada.
“I almost went out there to work with him in Reno, but it just never worked out timing-wise,” Golden said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and obviously he’s done a great job at Arkansas and won at an insanely high level. This league is full of great coaches and he’s definitely toward the top of that list. … I’ve known him since I was 21 years old.”
Like Florida, Arkanasas has struggled defensively this season, ranking last in the SEC in scoring defense at 76.8 points per game, Arkansas lost 76-66 at Georgia on Wednesday, and due to travel concerns related to the weather, opted to change plans and head directly from Athens, Ga., to Gainesville on Thursday. Golden let the Arkansas team use UF’s practice facility on Friday.
“Not often do coaches have camaraderie,” Musselman said. “I actually talked to Todd earlier (Wednesday). They’re big, they rebound, they have great guard play, they’re well-connected, they play extremely hard, they play very, very fast. You know, they’re one of the top tier teams in the SEC, there’s no question.”
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Ticks are out as people head outdoors this spring, and a doctor is warning about a little-known illness on the rise.
Dog ticks, deer ticks, Gulf Coast ticks and Lone Star ticks are among the most common in Arkansas. New York Institute of Technology at Arkansas State Dean Dr. Shane Speights said they can be found nearly anywhere in the state.
“So, when you think about certainly the deep woods in northeast Arkansas, along like the Spring River and things like that, anything along the rivers or large bodies of water, you’re going to be at a higher risk,” Speights said.
Those ticks can carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme Disease. Speights said there is a growing concern with another disease — Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
The Lone Star Tick carries a molecule that can transfer to humans through a bite and can cause an allergic reaction to red meat.
“That’s a smaller percentage of the population. But it can last for a long, long time. And it can be a violent response in terms of eating, you know, just a little bit of steak or a hamburger. You can get violently ill,” Speights said.
Data from the Arkansas Department of Health showed a sharp increase in Alpha-Gal Syndrome confirmed or probable cases in the state, from 70 in 2023 to 344 in 2024 and 249 in 2025.
The most common symptoms after a tick bite are fever and chills, aches and pains and rash. Speights said a person should seek medical attention after 36 hours if the tick is still attached.
“If the tick has been attached for more than 36 hours, we recommend you start antibiotics, promptly,” Speights said. He said antibiotics can be prescribed by a physician.
Ticks should not prevent someone from enjoying the outdoors. Speights said there are things people can do to prevent a tick hopping on them, like wearing light-colored clothing, pants, high socks and boots.
If one does get on a person, Speights said to remove it as quickly as possible to reduce the possibility of infection.
“You should remove the tick by carefully lifting up on the back of it with some tweezers and just kind of gently pulling until the teeth, um, let go of your skin. Uh, cause you do worry about, you know, parts of the tick being left there can cause infection,” Speights said.
Doctors say the best defense is to avoid tall grass, wear light-colored clothing and shower within two hours of being outdoors.
To report a typo or correction, please click here.
Copyright 2026 KAIT. All rights reserved.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas State Police has announced that they are now accepting applications for Troop Class 2027-A as part of a two-month recruitment program.
The training program is a 21-week law enforcement training program scheduled to start in January that is open to both certified and non-certified applicants.
“With the return of The Big Hat Law has come a renewed investment in our Troopers,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police (ASP). “This is more than a job – it’s a calling. We’re looking for the best of the best who are ready to step up, serve with honor, and wear the hat with pride.
New Troopers will receive the following compensation package:
- Starting salary of $67,675
- Family health insurance coverage
- Non-contributory retirement plan
- Total compensation valued at $108,684
- Overtime Opportunities
In addition to the compensation package, ASP says that their new Troopers will also earn the privilege of serving the public on the front lines, protecting communities, enforcing the law, and being a part of the 91-year-old nationally recognized tradition.
“Arkansas is investing in the next generation of state Troopers because we know that more law enforcement equals safer streets, safer communities, and a safer state,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “There is no better state to serve in law enforcement than Arkansas, and I encourage anyone who shares the Arkansas State Police’s values of bravery, integrity, and public service to apply.”
Applications for Troop School 2027-A will be open from 5 p.m. on May 1 to July 1, 2026. ASP encourages those interested to get ahead of the process and start their application now.
For more information about Troop School or application requirements, click here or email the ASP Recruiting Office at recruiting@asp.arkansas.gov.
-
Montana3 minutes agoThe announcement of the 2026 Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award winners
-
Nebraska9 minutes agoHow to watch Nebraska-Penn State softball Sunday: Time, TV channel
-
Nevada15 minutes agoNEVADA VIEWS: Ford’s travel raises transparency questions
-
New Hampshire21 minutes ago
NH Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day winning numbers for May 2, 2026
-
New Jersey27 minutes ago
NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Pick 6 Lotto winning numbers for Saturday, May 2
-
New Mexico33 minutes agoAt one rural New Mexico hospital, doctors turn to AI tools
-
North Carolina39 minutes agoOpen burning ban lifted for 81 counties
-
North Dakota45 minutes agoFOMO 10/40 Creamery to bring ice cream to small business across North Dakota