Arkansas

Three John Calipari-themed questions for Arkansas basketball in 2024-25

Published

2 months ago

October 10, 2024

Three John Calipari-themed questions for Arkansas basketball in 2024-25

Speaking to the media last week, John Calipari insisted he still doesn’t know who will take the ball after a made basket out for Arkansas basketball this season.

With something so simple up in the air, it’s safe to assume there are plenty of other questions still unanswered for the Razorbacks.

The season is rapidly approaching. The Southeastern Conference will host its annual media day on Oct. 16, and the Razorbacks will send Adou Thiero and Johnell Davis to accompany John Calipari in Birmingham, Ala. Arkansas will open its first campaign under Calipari against Lipscomb on Nov. 6.

Here’s a look at three Calipari-related questions for Arkansas basketball to answer this season. There are high hopes that Calipari can translate his success to Fayetteville, but he will have to alter some foundational strategies behind all his wins at Kentucky.

More: ‘Slobbering Hog’ logo set to return to mid-court for Arkansas basketball home games

More: John Calipari ready to watch DJ Wagner bounce back for Arkansas basketball

Is there a first-round pick on the roster?

Calipari has a streak of 17 consecutive drafts with a first-round pick, but that run might be in jeopardy in 2025.

ESPN released its top-100 NBA Draft Prospects on Wednesday, and Arkansas doesn’t have a player inside the top-30. Guard Boogie Fland (No. 32), forward Adou Thiero (No. 40), center Zvonimir Ivišić (No. 45), center Jonas Aidoo (No. 71) and guard Johnell Davis (No. 99) are all within the top-100.

This will likely be a one-year issue for Arkansas, with Calipari expected to reel in top recruiting classes moving forward, but this is an opportunity for the head coach to solidify his reputation as a developer of talent.

If someone does turn into a first-round pick, it raises the ceiling of this year’s team.

Does age make a difference in March?

Calipari is embarking on a new adventure this season with an older roster that isn’t reliant on one-and-done freshman talent. He hopes it’ll lead to a revival in his NCAA tournament success after failing to make it out of the first weekend the past four years.

“We’re playing against a team and the guy is waving to his two kids in the stands,” Calipari said. “You’re just saying, ‘This got a little old now, what are we doing here?’ So, to say you’re going to do it with 18- and 19-year olds, 24- and 25-year olds, you got to make that adjustment.”

Calipari is making such a significant shift there’s a chance none of his three freshmen are starters this season. Multiple freshmen made at least 20 starts in every season while Calipari was at Kentucky.

Do Hogs play big or small?

Calipari’s most successful teams at Kentucky typically featured plenty of length.

The 2012 squad that won the national championship featured three players in the starting five who were at least 6-foot-7. The entire starting lineup from the 2014 team that lost in the national championship didn’t have a starter under 6-6.

That trend extends throughout Calipari’s career, but he might go a different route at Arkansas. None of the freshmen are taller than 6-6, and Adou Theiro would have to start at the three-position for the Hogs to have quality length in their starting five.

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Arkansas

How to Watch: Mizzou Basketball Hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Published

4 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

How to Watch: Mizzou Basketball Hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff

The Missouri Tigers have been rolling through their non-conference schedule. After a loss on the road to Memphis to open the season, Missouri has won the first four games of a 10-game stretch at home.

Sunday, Missouri will take on Arkansas Pine-Bluff in one of its final two matches before it faces another high major opponent: California in the second annual SEC-ACC challenge on Dec. 3.

Here’s how to watch and find Sunday afternoon’s matchup for the Missouri Tigers.

Who: Missouri Tigers (4-1, 0-0 SEC) vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions (1-5, 0-0 SWA)

What: Missouri’s sixth game of the 2024-’25 season

Where: Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

When: Sunday, November 24, 4:00 p.m.

TV: ESPN+, SECN+

Radio: Tiger Radio Network

Series: Missouri leads 3-0

Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2023: Missouri opened the season with a 101-79 win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Five different players scored over 15 points for Missouri, including Sean East II, Nick Honor, Noah Carter, Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers handled business in a 91-56 win over Pacific. Guard Caleb Grill continued a hot streak, leading the team with 25 points, including 21 from three-point makes. Grill also notched a career-high with five steals.

Last Time Out, Arkansas Pine-Bluff:The Golden Lions fell on the road to Texas Tech, losing 98-64. Arkansas Pine-Bluff shot 52.1% from the field while Texas Tech shot 59.7%. The Golden Lions were led by guard Christian Moore with 20 points.

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Arkansas

Business people | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

13 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Business people | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Drew Waack has been appointed as mortgage adviser for United Federal Credit Union in Rogers. Waack is based at United’s Promenade branch, 2000 S. Promenade Blvd. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from John Brown University and an associate of arts and sciences degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

Makyla Jackson has been hired by Kutak Rock LLP as an associate in the firm’s commercial litigation practice and will be working in the firm’s Fayetteville office. Jackson earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, and a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Kayla Sherrill has been hired by Kutak Rock LLP as an associate for the firm’s litigation practice and will be working in the firm’s Rogers office. Sherrill earned her law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, and a bachelor of science from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Chelsey Deel has been hired as associate professor of pathology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Deel earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and her medical degree at the University of Texas Heath Science Center at San Antonio.

Alexis Gillett has been hired as associate professor of anatomy for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Gillett received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, her doctorate of physical therapy from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and her doctor of education in educational leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Stephen Nix has been hired as assistant professor of pathology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Nix received his bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

Trager Hintze has been hired as assistant professor of pharmacology for the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Hintze received his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Southern Virginia University and his doctor of pharmacy from Idaho State University.

Briefs are for people in Northwest Arkansas who are new hires, were promoted, received an award from outside their organization or received a certification. Email: [email protected] Information must be received by noon Wednesday prior to the Sunday the item is to be published.

Hintze

Nix

Waack

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Arkansas

Arkansas becomes bowl eligible with win over Louisiana Tech

Published

21 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Arkansas becomes bowl eligible with win over Louisiana Tech

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks (6-5, 3-4 SEC) secured bowl eligibility with a 35-14 win over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (4-7, 3-4 CUSA) on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The Razorback offense struggled in the first half and only scored 14 points before the two teams went to the locker rooms at halftime. Quarterback Taylen Green threw an interception, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong fumbled and the Hogs punted three times in the first two quarters.

Outside of the fumble, Armstrong had a strong game that put him into the Arkansas record books. With his eight reception, 81-yard game, he became the fifth player in school history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Armstrong also took sole position of second place in school history for single-season receptions with 69 on the season.

Arkansas’ offense fared somewhat better in the second half with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa — his second of the day — an eight-yard touchdown run by Green and a 13-yard score on the ground by running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. It wasn’t much, but it was all the Hogs needed to get the win.

For the game, Arkansas gained 454 yards, 221 through the air and 233 on the ground. Running back Rashod Dubinion got the start and was the Razorbacks’ leading rusher with 112 yards on 15 carries.

Ill-timed penalties plagued the Hogs several times in the game, the biggest was a holding penalty wiped out a kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kick. A roughing the passer call took away an interception late in the third quarter; Arkansas committed eight penalties for 78 yards throughout the game.

The Arkansas defense had another strong performance and held the Bulldogs to just 229 yards in the game, 190 through the air and 39 on the ground. They did give up two touchdowns, but it’s worth noting a muffed punt by Isaiah Sategna put Louisiana Tech in plus territory, which led to the first touchdown. The second touchdown came with just under six minutes to go, a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Jimmy Holliday on 3rd and 17.

The win will send the Razorbacks to a bowl game for the fourth time in the last five seasons, and they will turn their sights to a rivalry matchup with Missouri next Friday. Check out some of the highlights from the game below…

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