Arkansas basketball – Page 9 – Syndication Server

Arkansas basketball vs. Texas A&M: How to watch, stream, listen

Short of winning the SEC Tournament and receiving an automatic qualifier, Arkansas basketball’s post-season hopes are all but over. All that’s left to play for is pride.

The Razorbacks will have a chance to win some back on Tuesday when they take on a scrappy Texas A&M team in College Station.

Against Mississippi State, Arkansas broke yet another negative record. In Coach Eric Musselman’s nine seasons as a college basketball head coach, not a single Musselman-led team fell below .500. Until Saturday’s 71-67 loss to the Bulldogs, that is.

Musselman and the Hogs can even out their record today with a win over Texas A&M. It’ll be tough for Arkansas to pull it off in College Station, however. Today’s game will be the first one back home for the Aggies since knocking off No. 6 Tennessee 85-69. ESPN Basketball Power Index only gives Arkansas a 9.7% chance to win.

Also, if they can beat the odds tonight, the Hogs will complete a sweep of A&M. The Aggies are one of two teams (Mizzou) left on the schedule that Arkansas has a chance to beat twice this season.

There are more than enough reasons to play for this down-but-not-out Razorback squad. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so expect a fun one.

Here’s how you can watch/listen:

Former Razorback Council making big statement on court with 76ers

Sixers guard Ricky Council is coming into his own after starring at Arkansas.

Just a year ago, Ricky Council IV was letting his play do his talking on the court for the Arkansas basketball team. Now the undrafted rookie is making his statement on the NBA court, for the Philadelphia 76ers.

“I feel like I’ve made a statement for sure,” he said during the recent All-Star break. “Now it’s just up to everybody else, if they felt the same way.”

The 6-foot-6 athletic guard made his NBA debut on Jan. 2, and has proceeded to become more of a factor in Philadelphia of late, with some increased playing time.

The Sixers have being limited by a rash of injuries this season, so they have turned to Council for an extra boost in the lineup. In the last three games before the All-Star break, the Durham, N.C., product averaged 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, on 46.7 percent shooting from the field.

Since being called up from the G-League’s Delaware Blue Coats, Council has taken the court in 13 games for Philadelphia. He has played just under 10 minutes per game, but has averaged 6.8 points and 2.1 rebounds over the last six weeks.

He has scored in double-digits four times, including his career-high 19 points, along with 10 rebounds, at Washington on Feb. 10.

“Ricky is an incredible athlete, who plays really hard, he makes things happen, he uses that to be a defender and a rebounder, first and foremost,” Sixers Head Coach Nick Nurse said. “That’s a pretty good start, then he’ll battle on the offensive glass and get a bucket or two.”

Council, who transferred to the Razorbacks from Wichita State prior to last season, departed Arkansas after his junior year to pursue his professional dreams. After going undrafted in the June NBA Draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Sixers on July 1. He was then waived and re-signed on Oct, 25.

In 16 G-League games, council led Delaware with 24.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Now, it’s looking like Philadelphia maybe have found a diamond in the rough.

“It’s just game by game,” Council said. “They tell me to stay ready. They’re proud of me. My teammates, for one, are super big in keeping positive thoughts in my head and just being able to stay ready so the coaches are just showing trust in me when they put me in the game. That’s all I need to see.”

It will be interesting to see how much faith the Sixers have in the youngster once play restarts after the All-Star break. Philadelphia will return to the court to host New York on Thursday night.

“I’ve said it about him a lot, but he does everything hard, everyday, every walk through, every practice, he’s focused and ready to go.” Nurse said. “It’s good to see him reap some rewards from that.”

Hogs given less than 10% chance to beat Texas A&M

Arkansas has been dreadful on the road this year. ESPN’s BPI doesn’t see that changing Tuesday.

The Arkansas basketball team can still finish its SEC season without a losing record in conference.

The Razorbacks just can’t lose again.

With six games left, the task is tall, nigh impossible. If the Hogs fall to Texas A&M on Tuesday down in College Station, Arkansas will have clinched a second straight losing season in SEC play for the first time since 2018-19 and 2019-20. Those seasons correspond to Mike Anderson’s last year as head coach and Eric Musselman’s first year.

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index isn’t giving Arkansas much of a shot to avoid such a fate. The BPI provides Texas A&M with a 90% chance of victory when the two teams meet Tuesday. Arkansas did win the first meeting between the two by a point back on January 16. The Hogs have won just two games since.

Arkansas went 8-10 in SEC play last year but made the NCAA Tournament by virtue of a strong results in nonconference play. The only Dance-building win this year came against Duke, which while a high-quality win, is not bolstered by anything else of note.

If Arkansas were to fail to win any of its final six SEC games, the Razorbacks would finish with their worst league record since 2008-09 when they went 2-14.

Arkansas hoops looks to even record on trip to College Station

Texas A&M is Arkansas’ all-time most-faced team, holding a 107-61 series advantage.

After falling below .500 for the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman‘s tenure, the Arkansas basketball team (12-13, 3-9 SEC) will try to even its record again Tuesday night with a trip to Texas A&M.

The Razorbacks have lost three of their last four games, as Musselman continues to seeks ways to overcome injuries and inconsistent play on the court.

Arkansas was down two primary big men Saturday in a 71-67 loss at Mississippi State, after having the lead with a minute to play. Sophomore Trevon Brazile has remained out with a recurring knee injury since a loss to Ole Miss on Jan. 24. Senior Jalen Graham missed Saturday’s game with an inured shoulder, sustained in a loss to No. 8 Tennessee last Wednesday.

It is unknown if either player will return against the Aggies.

Texas A&M (15-10, 6-6 SEC) is Arkansas’ most-common opponent all-time in a series that dates back 100 years. In 168 previous meeting between the two schools, Arkansas has a 107-61 overall advantage, which gives them more wins against the Aggies than any other team.

The schools were each charter members of the now-defunct Southwest Conference from 1927-91, until the Razorbacks left for the Southeastern Conference, A&M joined them in the SEC in 2012.

Arkansas won this season’s first showdown in Fayetteville, 78-77, on junior Tramon Mark‘s buzzer beater, after the Hogs squandered a 20-point lead.

The Aggies are coming off of two losses, including a 74-73 defeat at Vanderbilt last Tuesday and Saturday’s 100-75 blowout to No. 15 Alabama.

Tuesday’s game will tip at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

Arkansas baseball vs. James Madison – Game 4: How to watch, stream, listen

Arkansas and James Madison will close out their season-opening series on Monday from Baum-Walker Stadium.

James Madison took game three with a 7-3 win over the Hogs and are seeking to split the set.

Arkansas had a decent day at the plate, recording 10 hits, six walks, and one hit-by-pitch. Unfortunately, finishing was not part of the equation on Sunday afternoon. Arkansas stranded runners on base nearly every scoreless inning, including one with the bases were loaded. One big hit could have been a difference in the game.

Arkansas was a bit lacking when it came to finishing at the plate, but the real damage was done when an otherwise stellar pitching performance imploded in the top of the seventh. Freshman Gabe Gaeckle rolled through the fifth and sixth innings, allowing just one walk. In the seventh, the underclassman was pulled after loading the bases and replaced with right-hander Jake Faherty. Subsequently, Faherty allowed all three to score, plus one more earned by him.

The Hogs tend to drop in hitting production after big games, so Sunday’s performance is nothing new. One reason Arkansas had so much trouble was because of righty Joe Vogatsky. With the 2023 draftee likely not playing on Monday, Arkansas is primed to take the series.

If the Diamond Hogs can finish innings and avoid pitching disasters, Arkansas should roll through the final game with little adversity. The Dukes will be strapped for arms toward the middle of the game. James Madison has spent 16 of its pitchers in three games. Arkansas’ hitters should be able to take advantage.

If you’re not able to make the game, here’s how you can watch/listen.

Everything Eric Musselman said after Arkansas’ struggle against MSU

Eric Musselman is trying his best to avoid a fine from the SEC. He’s coming awfully close to getting one.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman’s post-game press conferences are predictable at this point.

His Razorbacks fell Saturday at Mississippi State, 71-67, in game in which Arkansas was outshot at the free-throw line 32-19. Musselman has not been a fan lately of the discrepancy between his team’s number of shots from the line compared to their opponents, especially as that style of offense is Arkansas’ bread-and-butter.

Musselman has said time and again he hesitates in being too critical of officiating because he prefers not to have to pay a fine to the Southeastern Conference for getting on the officials too much. Such was the case again Wednesday.

The reality is Arkansas played a solid game for what it had. Neither Jalen Graham or Trevon Brazile were available, which meant the Hogs had zero power forwards on the roster. Guards had to defend MSU bigs most of the game leading to a 42-27 rebounding advantage for the Bulldogs.

The good news is some of Arkansas’ players who had been struggling stepped up, giving hope to Hogs faithful and Musselman himself that the team can finish the year strong.

Here’s what Musselman had to say after the game.

Social media fans still chiming in with jabs at Razorback basketball

Arkansas fans have started to turn their focus elsewhere, but still post displeasure with basketball team.

The Arkansas basketball team turned in one of its best efforts since SEC play began, but still came up short Saturday, in a 71-67 loss at Mississippi State.

The loss dropped the Hogs (12-13, 3-9 SEC) below .500 for the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman’s five seasons in Fayetteville. It also continues one of the most disappointing collapses in recent memory. Arkansas began the season with high hopes, and ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.

While many fans decided to focus on the baseball and softball teams Saturday, the basketball detractors still found their way to X – Twitter – for some postgame ranting.

After going to three straight Sweet 16s and a pair of Elite 8s the past three years, many fans want Head Coach Eric Musselman out. The fickle fanbases of today’s society leave no margin for error, and always believe the grass is greener on the other side.

Here is some of the chatter being posted on social media after Saturday’s loss:

Razorbacks’ record below .500 for first time in Musselman tenure

Makhi Mitchell turned in a game-high 21 points, but that didn’t prove to be enough for the Razorbacks.

After senior El Ellis gave Arkansas a two-point lead with 1:07 remaining Saturday – with a chance at victory – the Razorbacks went scoreless the rest of the way. The Hogs missed two shots from the field and two from the free throw line in the final minute, ultimately falling on the road at Mississippi State, 71-67.

This marks the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman’s tenure at Arkansas that the Hogs (12-13, 3-9 SEC) have fallen below .500. The last time they had more losses than wins, was under former coach Mike Anderson in 2018, after dropping the season-opener to Texas, 73-72, in overtime. The last time the Hogs sank that far during conference play was in 2015-16, when they fell to 12-14. yet they still finished 16-16 that season.

Arkansas was without two of their primary post players on Saturday, as 6-foot-11 sophomore Trevon Brazile continues to be out with a sore knee, and 6-foot-10 senior Jalen Graham was sidelined with a shoulder injury he sustained against Tennessee on Wednesday.

“First of all, I’m super proud of the effort,” Arkansas Head Coach Eric Musselman said. “When you’re without a preseason all-league player, who is 6-foot-11, any team in the league would go through some struggles.

“I know our fans, our locker room, our coaching staff, and our players are super frustrated without coming away with a win. But we played as hard as we possibly could tonight.”

Mississippi State true freshman Josh Hubbard turned in a team-high 19 points for the Bulldogs, but none bigger than his three-pointer with 58 seconds left, which put State up, 68-67, and proved to be the game-winner. The Dogs hit three free throws in the final 10 seconds to ice it.

Senior Makhi Mitchell was the workhorse for the Razorbacks, turning in his most impressive performance in his two seasons in Fayetteville. The 6-foot-10 forward scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, while adding six rebounds, a steal and two blocked shots. He finished 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line.

After scoring the first four points of the game, the Razorbacks surrendered 10 unanswered to the Bulldogs, over the next three minutes. The teams then began trading baskets, until El Ellis’ 13-foot jumper midway through the half cut the lead to 18-13.

Junior Tramon Mark drained a three to tie the score at 29-29 with 3:02 remaining, before Mississippi State scored the final five points of the half, to take a 34-29 lead into the intermission.

An old-fashioned three-point play – a layup and a free throw – by Mitchell eventually tied the game at 46-46 with 12:28 remaining. Then Mitchell scored another layup to give the Razorbacks a 48-46 advantage.

The game stayed within three points until the end, as neither offense produced much down the stretch. Mitchell tied the score at 61-61 with a dunk, then gave the Hogs a two-point lead on a layup with 2:15 left in the game.

With State up 68-67, Bulldog senior Cameron Matthews missed a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left, giving Arkansas a chance to take the lead. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks failed to get a shot off before turning it back over with 11 seconds to go.

Mississippi State (17-8, 6-6) outrebound Arkansas, 42-27, in the game, including 17 offensive boards. The Bulldogs were 19-of-32 from the line, and made as many free throws as Arkansas took (14-of-19).

Senior Khalif Battle was the only other Razorback to finish with double-digit scoring, putting up a solid 18 points, to go with two rebounds and two assists

Matthews turned in a double-double for the Dogs, scoring 17, by hitting 6-of-7 shots from the field, and yanking down a game-high 10 rebounds.

Arkansas will face another road challenge on Tuesday, with a trip to Texas A&M. The game will tip at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

Hogs’ pregame basketball chatter much the same on social media

Arkansas basketball continues to give fans reason not to believe.

As the Arkansas basketball team strives to keep from going below .500 for the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman’s five-year tenure with the Razorbacks, the challenge will take place at Mississippi State’s Humphrey Coliseum today at 1 p.m.

Arkansas (12-12, 3-8 SEC) has frustrated fans, especially since conference play began in January. The Razorbacks began the season as the No. 14 team in the AP Top 25 and have continued to struggle for footing. The Bulldogs (16-8, 5-6) come in riding a two-game win streak.

Razorback fans were already reeling from a disappointing football season and had put their faith in the basketball team, only to suffer more turmoil. They are now turning their hopes to baseball.

The Hogs are coming off of a 92-63 home loss to No. 8 Tennessee on Wednesday night. That was their third-worse loss in the 31-year history of Bud Walton Arena. The worst loss came earlier this season with a 32-point beat down to Auburn.

Fans have not held back their feelings for the stumbling hoopsters, using social media to take jabs at Musselman and his troops. Here is some of what has been posted leading up to the showdown with the Bulldogs:

Razorbacks could drop below .500 for first time in Musselman tenure

Arkansas basketball will try to stay above .500 with a win at Mississippi State.

The Arkansas basketball team is in jeopardy of dropping below .500 for the first time in Head Coach Eric Musselman’s five-year reign.

This will be just the third time Musselman’s Hogs (12-12, 3-8 SEC) have had an even record, but have rallied back the first two times. At 10-10, the Razorbacks stayed above ground with a 91-84 win at Missouri on Jan 31, then at 11-11, they survived by defeating Georgia, 78-75, on Feb. 10.

Now Arkansas must hit the road again for a showdown against Mississippi State on Saturday. The Razorbacks, who have lost eight of their 11 conference games this season, are wobbling off a 92-63 blowout loss to No. 8 Tennessee on Wednesday. It was the program’s third-worse loss in the 31-year history of Bud Walton Arena. The worse loss came earlier this year in a 32-point beatdown by Auburn.

The Hogs are 13-underdogs to the Bulldogs, and given just a 9.7 percent chance to win, according to ESPN’s Power Index.

Mississippi State (16-8, 5-6 SEC) is riding a two-game win streak, including last Saturday’s 75-51 triumph at Missouri. The Bulldogs are led by senior forward Tolu Smith III, who averages team highs with 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and freshman guard Josh Hubbard, who averages 14.8 points a game, and leads the team with 66 made three-pointers.

Arkansas junior guard Tramon Mark averages 17.3 points per game, but managed just 12 points against the Vols, and was the only Hog to score in double-digits.

The Razorbacks are 35-33 all-time against State, but just 6-21 in Starkville, where they have lost four straight inside Humphrey Coliseum.

Saturday’s game will air live on ESPNU at 1 p.m. Arkansas will then continue it’s two-game road swing on Tuesday, with a trip to Texas A&M.