Arkansas

The End of High School Football in Arkansas Has Begun

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2022

The End of High School Football in Arkansas Has Begun

FOUNTAIN LAKE, Ark. – On Tuesday afternoon, the information broke that Fountain Lake could be the the latest faculty, on this case a 4A program, to surrender funding a full soccer program in favor of 8-man soccer inArkansas.

A transfer like this could include a specific amount of shock, and it does to an extent. Nonetheless, it isn’t the kind of shock that one may count on.

The shock is not that there at the moment are sufficient 3A and 4A 8-man soccer groups to create their very own convention ought to they select. The shock is that it took this lengthy to get so far.

As research about CTE and mind trauma started to disclose the reason for so many points on the flip of the century, it grew to become clear that soccer would ultimately see a decline anticipated to achieve the degrees of boxing. It was straightforward to think about a world the place the one individuals who continued to play the game could be probably the most determined amongst us who noticed it as their solely possibility to alter their station in life.

What began as a motion amongst moms to guard their younger kids slowly started to unfold to fathers additionally as they started to acknowledge a number of the signs in themselves that had been described within the deaths of so many excessive profile athletes whose brains had been severely broken.

We have now hit the second era to see the value of soccer as too excessive to justify the price in youth sports activities. The variety of houses the place the game is to be seen, not performed, has dramatically elevated.

In lots of corners of the nation, the response is not astonishment {that a} household prefers their sons not play soccer. We have reached a balancing level that’s borderline to tipping into astonishment that somebody lets their youngster play soccer, particularly amongst households the place wealth and schooling are simply accessible.

In Arkansas, the place numbers have all the time been comparatively low when in comparison with different states, it would not take many athletes selecting to concentrate on different sports activities to dwindle the participation low sufficient to make Friday nights one or two accidents away from a forfeit. That is precisely what’s occurred.

For individuals who have lived their complete lives within the state, it is likely to be potential to view soccer as king. Nonetheless, when you step past the borders for a wider view, the game seems to be on life assist and has been for some time.

A strong 4A roster in Arkansas ran 35-40 gamers even earlier than CTE consciousness. JV groups had been a luxurious and included numerous varsity gamers.

In states the place soccer actually is king, a 4A crew has at the least three full groups with 40-45 gamers every.

Basketball is definitely king in Arkansas. Should you had been to take Bentonville’s soccer stadium, which is taken into account a jewel within the Pure State, and positioned it Texas, it might be an honest 3A stadium at greatest.

That does not imply it isn’t a pleasant stadium. It is what the game calls for.

Head right down to Mills in Little Rock, and you can find a stadium equal to a Class A, maybe small 2A, stadium in Texas. Once more, it is what demand requires, so there isn’t any have to construct a $120 million cathedral that holds 15,000-20,000 with big replay boards, cameras working down the rails and indoor golf/wrestling amenities buried inside.

Nonetheless, should you go to Frisco, Texas, the town that homes the Dallas Cowboys headquarters, you can find 13 excessive faculties, most of which have been constructed within the final decade that every home 2,000-3,000 college students. Whereas soccer is performed in huge cutting-edge stadiums, the smallest of which is the 12,000 seat indoor Ford Stadium, in these faculties, you can find darkish gyms the dimensions of a 1A-2A fitness center in Arkansas with flooring beat to items.

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To discover a fitness center on par with Cave Metropolis, an Arkansas faculty with an enrollment of 400, you need to go to the most important, wealthiest, most elite tax bases in Texas, and even then there may be a lot consternation about why the cash was used on a basketball fitness center.

Add in latest demand for sports activities like soccer, wrestling and swimming, three sports activities that weren’t obtainable at most Arkansas faculties within the Nineties, and there are many safer choices for younger males to fulfill their aggressive wants with out the danger of waking up subsequent to their wives sooner or later not capable of keep in mind who she is.

Fountain Lake is not going to be the final to take this step. Along with participation numbers taking place, faculty budgets historically get thinner every year as unfunded mandates, rising know-how prices, and the stress to pay lecturers sufficient to maintain their lights on and have meals improve.

Soccer is an costly sport to take care of. When the packages begin to go solely, there might be a bunch that can protest with their mouths with nice viciousness, however when requested to again up that bark with a chunk from their wallets, will exit with a whimper.

With e-sports gaining reputation as a aggressive possibility in different states whereas extra schools provide scholarships for its e-sports groups, it is potential the one soccer the grandchildren of the present graduating class play will happen on an enormous display in entrance of 1000’s of screaming followers in an Arkansas basketball fitness center.

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Arkansas

#18 Arkansas Gets Hot From Deep to Defeat Troy

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Press Room

#18 Arkansas Gets Hot From Deep to Defeat Troy

FAYETTEVILLE – The 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks, behind a career-high night from Zvonimir Ivisic and 19 points from Adou Thiero, used a 12-2 run and later a 7-0 run to pull away from Troy in the second half for a 65-49 victory Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks trailed most of the first half and were down three (32-29) with 17:09 left. Ivisic hit the second of his six 3-pointers on the night to tie the game and Johnell Davis followed with a layup to give Arkansas a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the game. That started the 12-2 run and the Razorbacks were 5-of-5 from the field over the span.

Myles Rigsby answered with a pair of jumpers to work the Trojans’ deficit down to three (41-38) with 12:08 remaining. However, Thiero made a jumper and slammed home an alley-oop before Boogie Fland capped a 7-0 run to go up 10. Troy ended the run with a free throw before Ivisic drained another 3-pointer to give the Hogs a double-digit lead the rest of the game.

Ivisic scored a career-high 19 points, making a career-high 6-of-7 from 3-point range, while adding a career-high five blocked shots and three steals. Sixteen of Ivisic’s points (5-of-6 from deep) and four of his blocks came in the second half.

Thiero also scored 19 points, including 12 in the second half, with seven rebounds. Fland, like Thiero, threatened a double-double as well with 12 points and seven assists.

Troy was led by Jackson Fields (13 points) and Rigsby (12 points).

Arkansas returns to action next Monday (Nov. 18) to host Pacific. Tipoff is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.

FIRST HALF: Arkansas 26 – Troy 27
• Both teams struggled from deep, going a combined 5-of-22. Troy was 3-of-11 and Arkansas was 2-of-11.
• Also, the teams were a combined 6-of-8 at the line. Arkansas was 4-of-5 and Troy was 2-of-3.
• Troy out-rebounded the Hogs, 24-15.
• Adou Thiero led Arkansas with seven points.
• Arkansas blocked five shots, including two by Zvonimir Ivisic.
• Arkansas forced 11 turnovers thanks to eight steals.
• Arkansas only led once in the first half, 18-16, at 6:13. There were four ties.

SECOND HALF: Arkansas 39 – Troy 22
• It was a tale of two halves. Arkansas shot 29.4% from the field in the first half and 63.6% in the second. Arkansas was 8-of-12 from 3-point range in the period.
• Troy was held to 35.7% shooting in the half and was 0-of-8 from 3-point range.
• Arkansas had 11 of its 14 assists in the second half.
• While Arkansas was out-rebounded for the game, the Hogs held a 15-to-12 rebound advantage in the final 20 minutes.

GAME NOTES:

Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, Adou Thiero and Trevon Brazile.
Arkansas won the opening tip.
Troy’s Thomas Dowd scored the game’s first points, a 3-pointer at 19:07. Adou Thiero scored Arkansas’ first points, an old-fashion 3-point play at 18:49.
Karter Knox was Arkansas’ first sub.
Arkansas has won five straight in the series with Troy and leads the all-time series versus the Trojans, 6-1.
Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo both played in the first half but sat out the second due to injury.
Ivisic is the only Hog (dating back to 1996-97) to have at least four made 3-pointers, four blocks and three steals. He is also the only 7-footer in Arkansas history to make at least five 3-pointers in a game. The previous best was Connor Vanover making four. (HogStats)
Ivisic going 6-of-7 (87.5%) from deep, he ties for the second-best 3-point shooting percentage in a game by a Hog with 7+ attempts, behind Jannero Pargo, 87.5% (7-8) – vs Florida, 1/26/2002, and tying Patrick Beverley, 85.7% (6-7) – vs Southeast Missouri St., 11/10/2006. (HogStats)
Arkansas had 16 steals, the most since getting 16 versus Bradley on Dec. 17, 2022.
Arkansas forced 24 turnovers, the most by an opponent since Bradley had 27 on Dec. 17, 2022.
Arkansas is now 21-9 all-time when ranked #18 in the AP poll. The last time it won as the #18 team was Feb. 26, 2022 vs #6 Kentucky (75-73). Coach Calipari is 23-6 all-time when his team is ranked #18 in the AP poll, including a 13-1 mark at home.

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

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Arkansas

Arkansas basketball vs Troy score today: Live updates, game highlights, how to watch

Published

10 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas basketball vs Troy score today: Live updates, game highlights, how to watch

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas basketball returns to the hardwood of Bud Walton Arena tonight with an intriguing matchup against a mid-major foe.

The No. 21 Razorbacks (1-1) will host Troy on Wednesday in the third regular-season game of the John Calipari era. Arkansas is coming off a win over Lipscomb and a neutral-site loss to Baylor during its first week of the new campaign.

The Trojans are 2-0 with double-digit victories over Toledo and New Orleans. Troy went 20-12 last year and finished third in a competitive Sun Belt Conference, only to lose in the first round of its league tournament, but most of the players from last year’s squad are back for the Trojans this winter.

The Hogs will hope to get their offense going Wednesday night. Through the first two games of the season, Arkansas is shooting just 23.1% on 3-pointers and averaging 71.5 points per contest.

Below are live updates, highlights and other notes from Arkansas basketball vs. Troy.

Watch Arkansas basketball vs. Troy on FUBO (free trial)

Arkansas basketball vs. Troy score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

What time does Arkansas vs. Troy play today?

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Fayetteville

What channel is Arkansas vs. Troy game on today?

TV channel: N/A
Streaming: SEC+ (ESPN+)

Arkansas vs. Troy live stream options

Arkansas vs. Troy will not be on TV, but the matchup is available to stream via SEC+ on ESPN.com and the ESPN app. An ESPN+ or cable subscription is required, with FUBO offering a free trial.

Arkansas vs. Troy prediction

Arkansas 77, Troy 62: The Hogs will move to 2-1, but don’t be surprised if this game follows a similar script to last week’s victory over Lipscomb. The Bisons hung around and made things uneasy midway through the second half. Troy has an experienced team that plays tough defense. Still, the Razorbacks will have too much firepower and come away with the victory.

Arkansas vs. Troy betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday morning:

Spread: Arkansas -12.5
Over/under: 153.5
Moneyline: Troy +625

Arkansas basketball schedule

Record: 1-1

(Next five games)

Troy, Nov. 13
Pacific, Nov. 18
Little Rock, Nov. 22
Maryland Eastern Shore, Nov. 25
Illinois (Kansas City), Nov. 28

Troy basketball schedule

Record: 2-0

(Next five games)

at Arkansas, Nov. 13
at Oregon, Nov. 17
at West Georgia, Nov. 19
UTSA, Nov. 25
Merrimack, Nov. 29

Arkansas basketball news

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Arkansas

Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman Looks Forward to Challenging Texas Longhorns Offense

Published

17 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman Looks Forward to Challenging Texas Longhorns Offense

When the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks met for the final time as non-conference opponents in 2021, Steve Sarkisian had just one game of experience under his belt after taking over as head coach. On the opposing end, the Razorbacks had just entered their third season under Sam Pittman at the helm, and were unknowingly about to see the most successful season of the last 10 years.

Now Sarkisian sits in his fourth year with the Longhorns and has already brought his team to a Big 12 Championship title and College Football Playoff appearance while currently seeking out an SEC Championship. Arkansas has followed up its 4-8 performance from last season with a 5-4 record so far, while Texas has maintained consistency from a 12-2 record into an 8-1 showing in its first year as SEC members.

Pittman pointed out the obvious in his Monday media availability, describing how the Longhorns have found more speed and physicality on its roster than what they had three years ago, especially with breakout performances by wide receiver Isaiah Bond, running back Jaydon Blue, and edge Trey Moore against Florida last weekend.

“Certainly since we played them the last time, they’re a different team. Their talent level is certainly a lot faster and bigger than what they were last time we played them,” Pittman said. “We’re certainly looking forward to the challenge that we have, which is a huge challenge against a great Texas team.”

What especially caught Pittman’s attention about the new and improved Sarkisian-era squad is the fact that his play designs have been known to draw the attention off the ball. One of the plays that stood out to Pittman was the double fake screen when starting quarterback Quinn Ewers ended up handing the ball to Bond for a 44-yard gain. The head coach mentioned that he’ll have to prepare his guys for miscues like that if they want to avoid the Longhorns offense running up the sidelines.

“They want to get the ball on the edge and get you in space,” Pittman said. “We have to have our edge, we have to turn everything back inside, we have to. If they get outside of one of our guys, we’re in trouble. We’ve got to chase the ball and we have to play extremely hard.”

Although Arkansas has already faced some intimidating players at the quarterback position, including Jaxson Dart for Ole Miss and Nico Iamaleava for Tennessee, he praised Ewers for being one of the most impressive quarterbacks he’s seen all year.

“Ewers throwing the football, he has one of the fastest releases of guys I’ve seen,” Pittman said. “He can throw a bubble screen and it’s halfway there and you didn’t even see him throw. He’s really, really talented and has an extremely strong arm.”

Pittman hinted that he’s been fixing up his secondary ahead of Saturday to combat the agility of the Longhorns, but only time will tell who has come more prepared in Fayetteville for the revival of an overshadowed rivalry.

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