How rough was Arkansas’ season? Well, one thing happened for the first time in 21 years

Tramon Mark had a shot, but was left off the 17-man All-SEC coaches’ teams.

No Tramon Mark. No Khalif Battle. No Trevon Brazile. No Devo Davis. No anybody.

The Arkansas basketball was left without a single player among the All-SEC coaches’ teams that were announced Monday. It’s the first time for such an absence since 2002-03 and it’s only the third time in school history (1995-96 was the other).

Brazile and Davis were named to the league’s preseason teams, with Brazile even earning votes for preseason Player of the Year. But both players struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness during the regular season.

That 2002-03 team won just nine games. Jonathan Modica, Eric Ferguson and Kendrick Davis all averaged double-figures scoring, but all three were also freshmen. Modica earned pub the next year.

The Razorbacks joined Missouri, LSU and Vanderbilt as the only teams without any players earn honors. Arkansas may not go wholly without an All-SEC player, though, as the Associated Press teams are set to be released Tuesday. It’s unlikely Arkansas sees anyone there, either, however, as the teams are limited to 10 total players. The coaches’ teams included 17 players.

Arkansas will seek to continue its season for at least one more game on Wednesday when the Razorbacks, the No. 12-seed in the SEC Tournament, play 13th-seeded Vanderbilt in the first round from Nashville.

Hogs given 75% chance to beat Vandy in SEC Tournament

ESPN’s computers say the Hogs will extend their season Wednesday.

The last time Arkansas played Vanderbilt, the result was one of the most depressing of the Razorbacks’ basketball season. And that’s saying something.

But the computers at ESPN don’t see that happening again. Arkansas is being given a 75% chance to knock off the Commodores in the first of the SEC Tournament when the teams meet for a rematch Wednesday.

Arkansas enters the conference tourney as the No. 12-seed, whereas Vanderbilt is No. 13. They tip at 6 p.m. from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and the winner will get 5-seed South Carolina on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. The Gamecocks beat both teams during the regular season by double-digits.

The Hogs have to win the SEC Championship to make a fourth straight NCAA Tournament after finishing the regular season 15-16 overall and 6-12 in SEC play. Both marks yielded the team’s worst winning percentages since the 2008-09 season.

Arkansas has a shot, even if it’s a long one. Coach Eric Musselman’s team has plenty of talent on paper, having been picked to finish in the top four in the SEC during the regular season. Injuries and inconsistency put the Hogs on the back foot to start SEC play and every time it appeared Arkansas had fixed some things, a blight appeared. A blight like Vanderbilt, which beat the Razorbacks by three in Bud Walton Arena at the end of February.

Photo Gallery: Arkansas basketball falls below .500 as Alabama completed overtime comeback

Well… at least this emotional rollercoaster is coming to an end sooner rather than later.

You can say a lot about Arkansas basketball’s regular season performance, but you can’t say they didn’t fight all the way to the end.

The Razorbacks lose a heartbreaker against No. 16 Alabama in overtime. It is the first time in Coach Eric Musselman’s collegiate career to finish under .500 in the regular season.

Arkansas led for 38 minutes of today’s contest, but the Tide locked down their defense out of the break, holding the Hogs to 10 points less in the second half.

In overtime, Alabama knocked down 7-9 shots on their way to victory.

Khalif Battle and Makhi Mitchell led the Arkansas in scoring with 22 and 18 points, respectively. Alabama’s Mark Sears and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. had over 20 points a piece.

Musselman and the Hogs now look toward the SEC Tournament after a long, unexpected year. Arkansas awaits their official seeding, but mathematically, the Razorbacks are destined to play on Wednesday, March 13, missing their chance for a first-game bye.

Tide rolled: Arkansas collapses, falls in overtime to Alabama

Boy, if that didn’t sum up Arkansas’ season…

Aaron Estrada broke an 80-all tie and Mark Spears’ fastbreak lay-up gave Alabama a four-point lead with 1:38 left in overtime – the Crimson Tide’s first lead of the game – as the home team rallied to overcome Arkansas in both teams’ regular-season finale Saturday, 92-88.

Alabama didn’t lead a single time in regulation, needing a 3-pointer from Latrell Wrightstell Jr. with 21 seconds left to force overtime. Khalif Battle had a shot at a gamer-winner for Arkansas on the ensuing possession, but the shot went awry.

Estrada and Sears’ back-to-back buckets marked the first time in overtime that either team made two straight buckets without a response from the opponent. It was just enough of a window for Alabama to send Arkansas home with its first losing record in the regular season since 2009-2010.

Sears led Alabama with 22 points and Wrightsell added another 20 while Grant Nelson (14 points and 13 rebounds) and Nick Pringle (10 points and 10 rebounds) had double-doubles.

Battle was one of four Arkansas players in double figures, leading the team with 22 points. But the Razorbacks’ struggles were clear: the Hogs shot just 4 of 20 from 3-point range. Alabama went 9 of 30 from deep.

Arkansas has at least one more game before its season ends. The Razorbacks will play in the first round of next week’s SEC Tournament against either Missouri or Vanderbilt, depending on Georgia’s result later Saturday.

Hogs aim to keep head above water in regular-season finale at Alabama

The Razorbacks basketball team is fighting to stay above .500 in finale against Alabama.

It’s been 14 years since the Arkansas basketball team finished with an overall record below .500. Currently, at the break-even mark of 15-15, heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale at No. 16 Alabama, pride is still on the line.

The last time the Razorbacks finished with more losses than wins was under former Head Coach John Pelphrey, when they ended the season at 14-18 in 2009-10. The Mike Anderson-coached Hogs finished 16-16 in 2015-16.

A win against the Crimson Tide all be guarantees that Arkansas will finish at least 16-16, even with a first-round loss in next weekend’s SEC Tournament. A loss to Alabama on Saturday would force the Hogs into winning at least two games in the conference tournament, for a chance to break even. That could also change with any further postseason tournaments.

Arkansas, who is just 6-11 in SEC play, put on one of its best performances of the season in Wednesday’s 94-83 win over LSU, as the Razorbacks shot 60.8 percent from the field and senior Khalif Battle broke the SEC’s four-game scoring record.

Battle’s game-high 29 points left him one point short of being the first Razorback to ever score at least 30 points in four straight games. But it also game him 141 points over his past four outings, surpassing the previous four-game scoring total of 134, set by Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks in 2009.

Going into Wednesday’s game, Battle had put up a career-high 42 against Missouri, 36 against Vanderbilt and 34 in a slugfest loss to Kentucky.

“I always feel really confident,” Battle said following the LSU game. “I don’t think anyone can guard me one-on-one. Coach told me to go for those and-ones, where they had to make a decision whether to foul or just let me score.”

Although he is listed as a graduate senior, Battle still has two years of eligibility remaining after this season – thanks to COVID. Following the LSU win, he sounded like he was all in for at least one more season in Fayetteville, clarifying to the media that he had “another year left,” when asked about the Senior Night honors.

“I’m a Razorback,” he said. “I’m right here. I’m a Razorback. Ain’t nothing changed. I’m a Razorback until the end.”

Alabama (20-10, 12-5 SEC) comes in with three losses in its last four games, falling to No. 17 Kentucky, 117-95, before bouncing back with a 103-88 win over Ole Miss. But the Crimson Tide has dropped two straight – 81-74 at home to Tennessee and a 105-87 loss at Florida.

In the 68 previous meetings between the Hogs and Tide, Arkansas holds a slight 36-32 advantage in the all-time series. But the two programs are deadlocked at 29-29 since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1991.

The game will tip at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN, with Tom Hart and former Razorback Jimmy Dykes on the call.

Hello, WNIT…maybe: Arkansas falls to Auburn in SEC Tournament

Arkansas isn’t making the NCAAs, but another bid to the WNIT is possible, though not necessarily likely.

The Arkansas women’s basketball team will probably play in the postseason. Maybe.

Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, it won’t be in the NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas, the 10-seed in the SEC Tournament, fell to 7-seed Auburn in the second round Thursday night, 67-48. The Tigers went on a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter, ultimately outscoring the Hogs by 10 in the frame to break away late.

The Razorbacks shot just 32% from the field and were held 22 points below their season average. JaMya Mingo-Young caused Arkansas problems the whole game, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The loss leaves the Razorbacks with questions. They won’t be invited to the NCAA Tournament – they aren’t even listed as a bubble team in any bracketology – but with an 18-14 record, a spot in the Women’s NIT seems likely, though it isn’t a guarantee. Last year, Arkansas made the final eight in the WNIT, but entered that tournament with a 21-13 record, clearly superior to this year’s mark.

The women’s NCAA Tournament bracket is set to be revealed March 17 and Arkansas should know its fate shortly after the announcement.

Photo Gallery: Senior Night ends in triumphant fashion

To say this season has been up and down is an understatement, but what a way to end things in Bud Walton!

The crowd might have been lacking in Bud Walton Arena, but the Razorbacks put on a performance fit for 20,000 fans last night.

Arkansas continued its new-found offensive success with a 94-83 win over LSU.

The Tigers might be 16-14, but they were on a small 4-2 streak coming into Fayetteville, with wins against No. 11 South Carolina and No. 12 Kentucky.

They had much to play for, including SEC Tournament seeding and a potential NIT invitation. Instead, LSU met an Arkansas team that—although too little, too late—has started to figure things out.

The Hogs seemingly couldn’t miss, scoring 61% from the floor and 82% from the free throw line. They were also unselfish, with 18 assists to LSU’s 9. From start to finish, Arkansas controlled the game.

The Razorbacks have a chance to stay above .500 for the regular season, but it’ll be tough. Arkansas will have to play No. 16 Alabama in Tuscaloosa to end the season.

The chemistry seems to have finally settled in for Arkansas, but is it enough to beat the Tide and go on a run in the SEC Tournament?

Sounds like he’s returning – Khalif Battle: “I’m a Razorback til the end”

Woooo! Talk about some good news. KB plans to return to Hogs in 2024-25.

Arkansas guard Khalif Battle said after the Razorbacks’ win over LSU on Wednesday that he planned to return to the team in 2024-25.

Battle has scored 42, 36, 34 and 29 points in his last four games, setting the record for the highest-scoring four-game stretch in the SEC in the last 20 years. His breakout during the last three weeks has coincided with Arkansas’ best stretch of the season.

During the post-game press conference Wednesday, Battle was asked what his plans may be next year. He has a year of eligibility left.

“I’m a Razorback,” he said. “I’m a Razorback til the end.”

The remarks may have been in the passion of the post-game moment, but are clearly a positive for his return to the team next season, even in an era in which the transfer portal has created a multitude of questions for teams across the country.

For the season Battle has averaged more than 13 points per game and has shot more than 85% from the free-throw line. He has shot a double-digit number of free throws in each of his last five games. Arkansas has gone 3-2 in that stretch.

The win Wednesday lifted the Razorbacks to 15-15 overall and 6-11 in SEC play. Arkansas will close its regular season Saturday at Alabama.

Razorbacks shoot 61%, knock off LSU to close Bud Walton Arena

Would it be an Arkansas win if we didn’t ask “Where has this been all season?”

It wouldn’t be an Arkansas basketball game if during the good performances, folks didn’t ask the same question.

Where has this been?

The Razorbacks beat LSU on Wednesday night, 94-83, to close out their home campaign at Bud Walton Arena behind a strong defense and some hot shooting.

As a team, Arkansas shot 61% from the floor and picked up double-digit scoring games from Khalif Battle (29), El Ellis (16) and Makhi Mitchell (19). On the defensive end, the Hogs limited LSU until the final five minutes to a field goal percentage below 40% and ultimately a 5-of-18 mark from 3-point range.

The curious thing was Arkansas was in control just about the entire way. The home bunch took the lead three minutes into the game and never lost it. They outshined LSU in just about every meaningful team statistic except second-change points.

Arkansas’ win gives the team a chance to finish the regular season with a winning record. The Hogs things out Saturday at Alabama. The following week, the Razorbacks will head to the SEC Tournament with a seed to-be-determined.

Razorbacks to honor nine seniors, host LSU in home-season finale

Senior Khalif Battle will challenge scoring record as Razorbacks host LSU in Bud Walton Arena.

With a winning or losing record still in the balance, the Arkansas basketball team will look to return to the break-even mark Wednesday night when rival LSU comes to Bud Walton Arena for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

Arkansas (14-15, 5-11 SEC) nearly pulled off a huge upset at No. 15 Kentucky on Saturday, but got the short end of the foul parade and stumbled late to a 111-102 loss.

A win or loss against the Tigers (16-13, 8-8 SEC) won’t mean much in the big picture, as Arkansas would need a miracle run to win the upcoming SEC Tournament, regardless. But I win over their long-time adversary would at least be a feather in the cap.

It will be Senior Night, so all nine of the Razorbacks’ seniors will be recognized, led by four-year Hog, Davonte “Devo” Davis.

The only real question is whether senior Khalif Battle can become the first Razorback to ever score at least 30 points in his fourth straight game. The 6-foot-5 Temple-transfer has lit up the scoreboard of late, knocking down a career-high 42 against Missouri, followed by 36 against Vanderbilt, then 34 in Saturday’s loss to Kentucky.

He helped bolster his output by making an astounding 45-of-49 free throws – 91.8 percent – over those three games.

Battle and former Hog Mason Jones are the only two players to tally three straight 30-point games. Jones did it in 2020, while eventually being named SEC Player of the Year.

This will be the 79th time the Razorbacks and Tigers have met on the court, dating back to 1949, when LSU claimed a 62-46 win in Baton Rouge. The teams split their first 10 matchups, before Arkansas went on an 11-game win streak against the Tigers. The Hogs leads the all-time series, 42-36, including 38-31 since joining the SEC in 1991.

Arkansas has won four of the last six overall meetings, but did fall at LSU earlier this season, 95-74. The Razorbacks also hold a 23-8 advantage in games played in Fayetteville.

Wednesday’s game will air live on the SEC Network, with Mike Morgan and former Razorback Joe Kleine on the call.