Tag: Arkansas Auburn

Diamond Hogs clinch first SEC series with Saturday win over Auburn

Arkansas wins first SEC series by knocking off Auburn on Saturday, 9-3.

Twelve straight.

Arkansas clinched a series win over Auburn in both teams’ SEC-openers on the weekend with a win Saturday, 9-3. The victory was the Razorbacks’ 12th in a row.

The Diamond Hogs jumped out early and never looked back, plating five runs in the first two innings before picking up the final four in the fifth.

Kendall Diggs had a bases-clearing double with two outs in the first. Tavian Josenberger hit a two-run home run in the second. And the Hogs scored on two RBI singles, a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Will McEntire and Evan Carter never let Auburn gets its bats going too well. McEntire worked six innings, giving up just five hits and two walks while striking out six. Carter entered in the seventh and picked up a three-innning save while allowing just a single knock and striking out three.

Arkansas will go for the sweep of the Tigers on Sunday from Baum-Walker Stadium at 2 p.m.

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Behind Enemy Lines: No. 6 Arkansas – Auburn series preview with Auburn Wire’s Taylor Jones

To learn more about the Auburn Tigers, we went Behind Enemy Lines with Auburn Wire’s Taylor Jones ahead of this weekend’s series.

The No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks are riding a 10-game win streak entering this weekend’s first conference series of the year. Arkansas welcomes the Auburn Tigers (13-3-1) to Fayetteville too kick off SEC play.

In a surprising move, [autotag]Dave Van Horn[/autotag] has opted to switch up his pitching rotation for this weekend. Instead of starting LHP [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] on Sunday, he’ll opt to use Smith in whatever situation he’s needed against the Tigers.

“Wild card, closer, long reliever, finisher – however you want to say it,” Van Horn said. “When you have some things happen with arms, sometimes you’ve got to make some changes, and we just felt like that might be something we needed to do this weekend.”

It will be interesting to see how the move plays out against a talented Auburn squad that has only dropped one series all season.

To get more insight on what the Tigers might have in store for the [autotag]Diamond Hogs[/autotag] this weekend, we caught up with Taylor Jones of Auburn Wire. Who is Auburn’s weekend ace? Which Auburn bats will we need to watch? How does this weekend play out?

Those questions, and more, are answered in this latest edition of Behind Enemy Lines with Auburn Wire’s Taylor Jones.

Beyond the Box: Arkansas survives Auburn 76-73 to advance in SEC Tournament

Behind a pair of impressive performances from Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr., Arkansas holds on in 76-73 thriller over Auburn in SEC Tournament.

Survive and advance.

That’s the popular motto in which teams live by in March, and Arkansas was the epitome of it Thursday night.

After the Razorbacks built a 15-point lead halfway through the second half, the Auburn Tigers stormed back to take the lead with just 41 seconds left to play. It was a position that Arkansas has been in countless times this season: building up a big lead just to see it evaporate in a matter of minutes, eventually leading to a disappointing loss.

Except this time, they were able to flip the script. Instead of the blown lead turning into another heartbreaking loss, Arkansas was able to hang on for a 76-73 win. Freshman guard [autotag]Nick Smith Jr.[/autotag] drained a baseline jumper with only 16 seconds left in the game to give the Hogs a 74-73 lead, and [autotag]Devo Davis[/autotag]’ steal off an errant Tiger pass lead to two free throws to seal the win.

Aside from an awful stretch towards the end, it was an impressive showing from Arkansas. They showed some growth by being able to close this one out after losing such a big lead, so maybe this could ignite something special going forward.

Before looking ahead to tomorrow’s game vs. No. 2-seed Texas A&M, let’s go beyond the box and take a closer look at tonight’s win over the Auburn Tigers.

Social media reacts to Arkansas’ thrilling 76-73 win over Auburn in SEC Tournament

Here’s what they’re saying about Arkansas’ dramatic win over Auburn in the SEC Tournament.

The Arkansas Razorbacks were able to pick up their 20th win of the season in dramatic fashion over Auburn to advance in the SEC Tournament.

After leading by as much as 15 points in the second half, Arkansas let the Tigers storm back to take a 73-72 lead with just 41 seconds left. However, unlike earlier in the season, the Razorbacks were able to turn to star freshman Nick Smith Jr. who knocked down the go-ahead bucket – a 15-foot baseline jumper – with just 20 seconds left. The basket helped lift the Hogs to a 76-73 win.

As had happened many times this season, Arkansas blew a huge lead in the second half. This time, though, the Razorbacks were able to hang on and actually walk away victorious. Could this be what sparks a magical March run? Only time will tell.

Social media was very active during and after Arkansas’ win, and here’s some of the best reactions from a thrilling Thursday night in Nashville.

Photo gallery: Arkansas practically clinches NCAA Tourney bid with win over Auburn

It wasn’t close until it was. Arkansas escaped Nashville with a win over Auburn. A&M on Friday.

Smiles were aplenty Thursday night in Nashville.

On the Arkansas side of the floor, anyway.

After the game

The 10th-seeded Razorbacks beat No. 7-seed Auburn in the second round of the SEC Tournament to advance to a quarterfinals game against No. 2 Texas A&M, 76-73. Nick Smith Jr.’s jumper with 17 seconds left was the game-winner.

Arkansas’ win all but guarantees an NCAA Tournament berth, though the Razorbacks were considered on the right side of the bubble even before the game. Auburn, too, is likely Tourney bound, though the Tigers will have lost three of their last four heading to the NCAAs.

Anthony Black led Arkansas with 19 points. He also had six rebounds and six assists. Smith had another 14 points and Jordan Walsh added 11and Makhi Mitchell 12.

The Hogs and Aggies are set for a 6 p.m. tip in the quarters on Friday night.

FINALLY! Arkansas closes a late-game scenario in beating Auburn at SEC Tournament

Arkansas had been miserable at closing games all season. Nick Smith Jr. saved the Hogs at the SEC Tournament.

Arkansas’ biggest problem all season long was its inability to close games. Coach Eric Musselman had made a point of remarking about it at several points throughout the year.

It nearly happened again Thursday night.

Nick Smith Jr.’s jumper with 16 seconds left proved the game-winner as Arkansas forced an Auburn turnover on the Tigers’ next possession and the Razorbacks held on, 76-73, in the second round of the SEC Tournament.

Arkansas advanced to the quartefinals to play Texas A&M on Friday night. The second-seeded Aggies and the No. 10-seeded Razorbacks split their regular-season series.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Razorbacks, who will almost certainly become the fifth SEC team in the last 20 years to make the NCAA Tournament with a losing record in conference play.

Arkansas’ second-ranked recruiting class was the biggest reason.

Freshmen Smith, Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh – the three highest-rated recruits in the Class of 2022 on the team – combined for 44 points on 16 of 27 shooting. Black was especially good, leading the team with 19 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists.

The Razorbacks build a lead as large as 15 points in the second half thanks a night in which they shot 56[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=130]% from the field. Auburn used a couple medium-sized runs to trim things back to within six points in the final eight minutes.

Little Rock native and Parkview graduate Allen Flanigan gave the Tigers their first lead since the game was 2-0 when his jumper went in with 41 seconds left. Smith hit his from mid-range on Arkansas’ ensuing possession.

Wendell Green had a clean look at a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the ball clanged off the front iron.

Arkansas will play Texas A&M on Friday at 6 p.m.

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Pregame tweets: Hogs begin postseason with rematch vs. Auburn in SEC Tournament

Here’s what they’re saying as Arkansas gets ready to take on Auburn in the SEC Tournament.

March Madness is here and the Arkansas Razorbacks will start postseason looking for revenge against the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Tournament. In their lone matchup this season, the Razorbacks went on the road and struggled to take care of the ball and knock down shots in their 72-59 loss to the Tigers.

The major difference from then to now is that Arkansas guard [autotag]Nick Smith Jr.[/autotag] is back for the team and playing good basketball since returning. Is he enough to get the Razorbacks over the hump this time? Vegas believes so. The Hogs are currently the favorite as the line sits at Arkansas -3.

ESPN’s BPI also favors Arkansas, as the Hogs have a 55% chance to beat Auburn and advance to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.

As we get ready for tip-off from Nashville, here’s what people are saying on social media ahead of the game.

Grading Arkansas’ road victory over Auburn

Arkansas grades out with honor-roll marks against Auburn on Saturday.

Sam Pittman said earlier in the week he thinks his team is getting ready for a late-season run, and it started against Auburn today.

Arkansas defeated the Tigers 41-27 with solid performances on all sides of the ball on the road. It was the type of performance the Hogs needed to salvage what was left of the season. This game was basically a fight for who will stay out of the bottom of the SEC West.

Now with two wins in the conference, the Hogs have some momentum to finish the remainder of the season with three SEC opponents left on the schedule.

While a bowl game is a primary goal, these games are very important for juniors and seniors looking to increase their draft stock.

Everything Sam Pittman said after Arkansas’ win over Auburn

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was relieved, thrilled after beating Auburn on the road for a huge win.

Arkansas is a better team than Auburn, simply put.

The Razorbacks showed it Saturday in a relatively easy 41-27 win that wasn’t that close. Arkansas ran for more than 200 yards in the second half alone to pull away after leading by four at halftime. An Auburn touchdown with three seconds left created the final score.

Hogs coach Sam Pittman was pleased after the game. Arkansas was coming off a bye week and needed to rest quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson responnded with an efficient day, going 16 for 24 passing for 234 yards and a touchdown and running for 45 yards and two more scores.

The win was Arkansas’ first at Auburn since 2012 and first against the Tigers, period, since 2016.

Next up? Former girls high school basketball coach in Arkansas Hugh Freeze and his Liberty Flames.

Before that, see what Pittman had to say about coach Bryan Harsin and the Tigers below.

Bye-bye, Bryan: Arkansas’ win over Auburn pushes Harsin closer to hot seat

Arkansas couldn’t afford a loss to Auburn on Saturday. The Hogs didn’t just win. They rolled.

A game Arkansas absolutely had to win was more than just a victory. It was a stamp.

The Razorbacks dominated Auburn, especially in the second half, en route to a 41-27 win on the road. It was Arkansas’ second straight victory after a three-game skid sent them from No. 9 in the nation to not even picking up votes three weeks ago.

Now at 5-3, the Hogs are in exactly the same place they were at this point last season when they had their best record since 2011.

Per usual, it was KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders leading the way offensively Saturday.

Jefferson ran for two touchdowns to go with his 45 yards and was 16 of 24 passing for 234 yards with a touchdown toss to Jadon Haselwood. Sanders didn’t have a touchdown, but the SEC’s leading rusher ran for 171 yards on just 16 carries, including one for 76 yards that set up the first of Rashod Dubinion’s two touchdowns on the day.

The Razorbacks are on the verge of playing three straight home games before ending the year at Missouri. Liberty, which is 7-1 and coached by Hugh Freeze, heads to Donald W. Reynolds Stadium next in Week 10.

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