While Tennessee Gorges on the Hype, Arkansas Is Nearly Right Where It Wants to Be

Arkansas athletics are in contrast to any within the nation. Solely a handful of states within the nation have only one faculty that shines so brightly that it overshadows all the opposite Division I applications within the state. Nebraska has the Cornhuskers, however Creighton is healthier in basketball and infrequently baseball. West Virginia has the Mountaineers, however they’re by no means precisely beating the door down in any of the three main sports activities. Solely Connecticut with the Huskies can declare the standing Arkansas has with the Razorbacks.

OK, possibly Maryland and New Jersey, however does the Massive Ten actually matter?

Kidding apart, the state of athletics within the state of Arkansas is all concerning the Razorbacks. The principle distinction between the followers of the Hogs (and Huskies up at UConn) and others is the depth, thanks largely to the remainder of the state providing little in the way in which of options. Meaning when issues are going nicely with the large athletic applications, the joy feels extra insane than it ought to. When issues go poorly, the negativity feels harsher than it must be. And in-between, a bizarre netherworld exists, one the place the air of “they don’t respect us” sufficient at all times lingers.

A little bit of that’s taking place in 2022 with Arkansas baseball. The Baum-Walker devoted are spoiled – and that’s meant in the very best means. They’ve been to the NCAA Event however one since 2002. Six of these years have yielded journeys to the School World Collection. Success isn’t simply anticipated with Dave Van Horn’s Diamond Hogs – it’s virtually a given.

It’s a part of why this season feels unusual. Arkansas is nice. Nice, even. The Razorbacks are 31-9 and 12-6 in league play. They’re ranked within the top-10 within the nation. Internet hosting a Tremendous Regional isn’t out of the query. But it surely’s additionally a down 12 months for the SEC, lengthy probably the most highly effective school baseball convention within the nation. And the little annoyances are magnified in a season that sees Tennessee, Arkansas’ latest and most intense rival, emerge as a clear-cut No. 1 staff within the nation. The Vols have a five-game lead over second-place Arkansas within the convention standings. They’re additionally coached by former Arkansas baseball assistant Tony Vitello, whose previous with the Hogs is, nicely, fascinating.

Arkansas misplaced two of three over the weekend to Texas A&M, a staff that hasn’t spent a lot time within the Prime 25 this season. Now the Aggies are simply two video games again of the Diamond Hogs with 4 SEC collection to play. The collection loss confirmed Arkansas’ flaws, too: 

The Razorbacks are within the bottom-half of the SEC in practically each main hitting statistical class since SEC play has began. They’re not final in any of them, which is predicted given their second-place standing, however the lineup was purported to be a energy of the staff this 12 months and it merely hasn’t panned out. Pitching has carried the 12 months because the Hogs are within the high three in earned-run common, opponents’ batting common and opponents’ slugging share.

At the same time as a top-10 staff, although, it appears Arkansas is talked about lower than ordinary as one of many favorites for the nationwide championship. Being within the dialog yearly has created some moderation for the nationwide love – the Hogs are at all times good, so them being good once more isn’t a significant story. A lot of the nationwide highlight, nevertheless, has shined instantly on Rocky Prime.

Tennessee Baseball on Historic Tear

Tennessee baseball has by no means been near nearly as good as it’s this 12 months. The Vols’ finest earlier season got here in 1995 after they went 54-16 and received the SEC. They had been the fourth-to-last staff eradicated within the School World Collection that 12 months. This season has been unreal, nearly like Arkansas was in 2021. Tennessee is 37-3 total and 17-1 in league play. Third baseman Trey Lipscomb is having a season hitting just like the one Kevin Kopps had pitching for the Hogs final 12 months.

The Vols have spent nearly each week because the climate warmed because the No. 1 staff within the nation. They’re the clear favorites for the title. Arkansas baseball, after all, is aware of a bit of one thing concerning the weight that comes with such expectations. Coach Dave Van Horn’s 2021 staff rolled by means of the SEC Event, 4-0, then went 3-1 within the Regional in Fayetteville. North Carolina State visited Baum-Walker for the Supers, having received the Ruston Regional as a 2-seed. Arkansas’ fervent devoted felt assured.

Then the Wolfpack received two one-run video games after dropping the primary and broke hearts throughout the Pure State.

Arkansas doesn’t have that strain this 12 months. However the Tennessee baseball program does. As a lot as some within the Razorbacks’ fan camp might want extra respect placed on the Hogs’ title, maybe the place they’re proper now – not ignored, however merely on cruise management within the eyes of faculty baseball nation – is one of the best place for them.

The Diamond Hogs received’t win the SEC regular-season title. Not less than, they received’t barring one thing nutty taking place. Tennessee nearly actually will as an alternative. Then the Vols could have the eyes of faculty baseball on them, watching each transfer that Vitello and his demonstrative staff make. In the meantime, Arkansas will cruise together with restricted strain, its followers understanding Van Horn could have been there earlier than.

Tennessee can’t say the identical.

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See Mike Irwin talk about extra of Arkansas vs Tennessee baseball firstly of this video:

Beneath, Tony Vitello makes a ton of mates across the SEC by saying: “In between the traces, there are not any guidelines.” (To be honest, although, he’s an entertaining man who doesn’t come off as massive of a jerk as many followers assume he’s. Round 20:00, he tells a humorous recruiting story about former Razorback Nick Schmidt.)

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