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No more Boogie: Set to enter draft | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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No more Boogie: Set to enter draft | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas freshman point guard Boogie Fland announced plans to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft via social media Friday afternoon.

“Thank you to all my fans and supporters, this year has been nothing short of unforgettable,” Fland said in an Instagram post. “Returning to the team for March Madness and competing alongside my brothers was an experience I’ll cherish forever. Much love to Razorback Nation, Coach Calipari & the entire coaching staff and every one of my teammates for believing in me.”

Coming out of high school, Fland had committed to Kentucky and followed Coach John Calipari from the Wildcats to Arkansas last offseason. He was a 5-star recruit out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y.

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He started 18 of the Razorbacks’ 36 games this season, appearing 21 times overall. He averaged 31.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 turnovers per game. This week he was named a freshman All-American by CollegeInsider.com and was a finalist for the Kyle Macy Award for the nation’s top freshman.

Fland injured his right (shooting) thumb in a Jan. 11 home loss to No. 8 Florida and played through it for two games. Then he had his UCL surgically repaired and missed the next 15 games.

He returned for the NCAA Tournament and played in all three games of the Razorbacks’ run to the Sweet 16 off the bench — the only times he didn’t start in games he played this season. He totaled 52 minutes and 12 points. In an opening win over Kansas, he recorded three assists and three steals in 23 minutes of his first game action in two months.

Fland is at No. 44 in the Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft released March 31, dropping 17 spots from the previous release. He was knocked for his athleticism and size when finishing at the rim, yet lauded for his ball-handling, creation, shot-making and playmaking.

Teammate Adou Thiero, who was also injured and practically out for the last month of the season, was listed at No. 39 to the Toronto Raptors by the Bleacher Report. The junior has not officially declared.

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Assuming Fland does not eventually return, it marks the fourth offseason departure for the Razorbacks.

Fland would then join the lengthy list of one-and-done players — 35 — Calipari has coached. Of those, 19 are classified as guards, like Fland.

Before this season began, ESPN predicted Fland would be taken 36th overall in the second round. The latest ESPN projections from mid-March had Fland at 38th, six picks higher than Bleacher Report.

Regardless of Fland’s destination, if it isn’t back with the Hogs, Calipari is already prepped with incoming talent at the point guard position for next season. Darius Acuff Jr., a 6-2 highest-rated point guard in the country, per 247Sports, signed his national letter of intent to Arkansas.

The NBA Draft will be held June 25-26 in Brooklyn, N.Y., across the East River from the Bronx, where Fland was born.

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“To my family, especially my mom and dad — thank you for all of the sacrifices you’ve made for me to be in this position,” Fland continued on his Instagram post. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Arkansas guard Boogie Fland makes a pass during practice March 26 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Fland, who helped lead the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 in 2024-25, declared for the NBA Draft on Friday after one collegiate season.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)



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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Bill Bowden

bbowden@nwaonline.com

Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions


The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.

Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.

Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.

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– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions

Prediction

Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73

BET ARKANSAS (-102).

This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.

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What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.

The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.

In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.

PASS.

No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.

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BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).

Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Cristina LaRue

clarue@adgnewsroom.com

Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.

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