Tag: Devo Davis

Devo Davis has announced his plan to enter the transfer portal

After four years, Devo Davis is leaving the University of Arkansas and entering the transfer portal.

After four years of donning the Arkansas Razorbacks across his chest, Davonte “Devo” Davis announced that he would move on from his home-state school and enter the transfer portal.

Davis has been a fan favorite since his freshman year performance in March.  His suffocating defense kept Texas Tech’s Mac McClung from grabbing the final shot in Arkansas’ round of 32 match against the Red Raiders, and his clutch, game-winning shot against Oral Roberts secured the Razorbacks’ bid to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1996.

The state loved Devo, but he reciprocated that sentiment, too. In his message to Razorback Nation, he wrote,

Through years of practice and hard work, my goal was always to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks! It was a dream come true to wear a Razorback jersey and represent my home state.

I want to thank the Razorback fans, teammates and coaches for their support. I’m grateful for the amazing sponsors that gave me opportunities to partner with their brands.

From game clinching dunks, to hitting game winning shots in March, the memories will live with me forever.

with much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal and explore pro opportunities.

No matter where this journey takes me, Arkansas will always be home to my family and Me.

 

His tenure helped to foster a new era of success for the program, restoring the sleeping giant that Razorback basketball. In the process, the Jacksonville, Ark. native became just the ninth player in Arkansas history with 900+ points, 400+ rebounds, 200+ assists & 100+ steals in a Hogs uniform.

Davis led the Razorbacks to two Elite Eight and three Sweet Sixteen appearances and was named to the SEC All-defensive team his junior year. He was also honored off the court with three SEC Academic Honor Roll and four Department’s Honor Roll accolades.

Devo is the fourth player to announce his decision to leave Arkansas, along with Joseph Pinion, Denijay Harris, and Keyon Menifield Jr.

 

Column: Devo Davis, a Razorbacks icon, rightfully cheered in return to Hogs

Devo Davis is an Arkansas native who has given all four years to his home-state flagship school and helped the team to three Sweet Sixteens all as a starter. He deserves adoration.

The Arkansas basketball team has been at its best over the course of the last three seasons and this partial one when Devo Davis isn’t in a scorer’s role. Saturday against Georgia, Arkansas was near its best.

Relatively, of course, but with Davis back for his first game in two weeks after taking a leave of absence January 27 against Kentucky, the senior guard from Jacksonville did what he has always done best, playing high-quality defense, distributing the basketball when called for and rebounding better than most guards his size.

Arkansas may have made the Sweet 16 last year with Davis as a scorer – he was one of five players who averaged double figures in scoring last year – but defense and facilitiation has always been his calling card. Not offensive efficiency. And because the Razorbacks have struggled this season, Davis’ career-low points-per-game and shooting numbers have made him a goat among fans who have become frustrated.

When he left the team before Arkansas’ game against Kentucky two weeks ago, with the school choosing not to provide a reason, those fans assumed the worst. And, boy, were the assumptions horrible. But the reasonable folks had his back and showed during his return against the Bulldogs they appreciated everything he has provided the Razorbacks the last three-plus years as cheers and hoots-and-hollers resounded through Bud Walton Arena when he stepped onto the floor upon his return.

It was good see. And hear. Davis should, no matter what occurs the rest of the season, hold a place in Arkansas fans’ hearts forever. For a state that prides itself on isolationism, Davis should be a king as a home-grown (he’s from Jacksonville High) player who chose to stay home for all four years of college. Not only stay home, but play at a high level for all four of those years. He’s been starting since his freshman season.

His stats against Georgia were indicative of the player he truly is. Davis scored four points, grabbed four rebounds, doled out three assists and came up with two steals against the Bulldogs. Just the sort of stat line that complements a team of scorers.

Whatever happens with Arkansas basketball the rest of the way, the Razorbacks are a better team with Davis on the roster. Hogs fans should be glad he’s back.

Social media fans mostly content with Razorbacks’ after Georgia win

Most Hog basketball fans happy with win over Georgia and Devo’s return.

Although Tramon Mark’s final missed free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining prevented the Arkansas basketball team from covering the Vegas spread, by a half-point, Saturday, the Razorbacks got the points that counted most in a 78-75 win over Georgia.

After staggering through the early part of the conference schedule, Arkansas (12-11, 3-6 SEC) has won two of its last three games to keep slim postseason hopes alive.

The Razorback faithful has struggled to stay on board this season, which garnered high hopes of a fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

And fans have let their displeasure show through harsh posts on social media. Things were a little more docile after the victory over the Bulldogs.

Five Razorbacks finished with double-digit points, including senior El Ellis and sophomore Keyon Menifield Jr., who led the way with 15 each.

Senior Devonte Davis made his court return after a short absence, scoring four points, with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Most fans were more optimistic after the win, although some still remain bitter. Here is a taste of what was posted on X:

Fans on social media somewhat mum prior to clash with Georgia

Social media has been relatively quiet from Razorback basketball fans.

Despite its recent rocky road, the Arkansas basketball team returns to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday for the first time in 14 days, and is a 3.5-point favorite over Georgia.

The Razorbacks (11-11, 2-7 SEC) have struggled out of the gates in conference play, which includes a 76-66 loss at Georgia on Jan. 10. But now, the Bulldogs (14-9, 4-6 SEC) have lost their last four games, including a 75-62 defeat at Mississippi State on Wednesday night.

Arkansas will have senior guard Devante Davis back on the court. The 6-foot-4 Jacksonville product is the longest tenured Hog on the roster, playing in 121 games, including 80 starts, over the past four seasons. He returned to practice on Monday after several days away from the team for undisclosed reasons.

Following a losing football season, Razorback fans have struggled in dealing with a lackluster basketball season – especially with a team who was ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.

Social media has been slightly mum from fans heading into the showdown with the Bulldogs. Here are some of the items posted on X:

Arkansas basketball vs. Georgia: How to watch, stream, listen

If you’re an Arkansas fan and not curious how Devo Davis will play in his return, you’re not actually an Arkansas fan.

NCAA Tournament hopes for the Arkansas basketball team are all but finishing with a month left in the regular season. At this point, the Razorbacks are playing to avoid the status of Worst Team Since.

The question is since when.

Arkansas can avoid becoming the worst team since 2008-09 on Saturday. To do so, the Razorbacks must beat Georgia in Fayetteville. Georgia won the teams’ first meeting in early January handily. The ESPN Basketball Power Index gives Arkansas the edge at home, though.

That 2008-09 team finished 14-16 overall and 2-14 in the SEC. To be clear, beating the Bulldogs on Saturday would ensure Arkansas doesn’t finish league play as bad as John Pelphrey’s bunch did that year. But the Hogs’ overall record, which sits at 11-11, is still iffy.

Arkansas has never been under .500 in coach Eric Musselman’s four-plus seasons. The man who has led Arkansas to three straight Sweet Sixteens has been at sea, wondering what has gone wrong with his Hogs team that was a preseason Top-25 bunch.

While it may be too late in the year to figure it out now while getting rewarded with a postseason berth, Arkansas does, at least, still have pride to play for.

Here’s how you can catch them take on UGA.

Hogs’ Davis set to return to court as Georgia limps into Bud Walton

Arkansas and Georgia have both struggled of late, setting up a needed victory for both programs.

Senior guard Devante Davis is set to return to the court for the Arkansas basketball team on Saturday, while sophomore Trevon Brazile‘s status is still up in the air.

Davis, the longest tenured Hog on the roster, hopes to give the Razorbacks a well-needed boost as Georgia visits Bud Walton Arena for a 5 p.m. tipoff. It will be the first time in two weeks that the Hogs have played a home game.

“We’re excited to have Devo back, and I think he’s excited – he’s been working hard, he’s had a great week of practice,” Head Coach Eric Musselman said. “He feels like he is back to where he was, from a conditioning standpoint. He’s been a part of four really good years, and we’re certainly looking forward to having him back.”

The 6-foot-10 Brazile, who was the team’s top rebounder before going down on Jan. 3 against LSU, reinjured his knee after offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL. The timetable for his return remains unknown.

Arkansas (11-11, 2-7 SEC), who enters Saturday’s game as a two-point favorite by Vegas odds, has struggled mightily out of the gate in conference play, including a 76-66 loss at Georgia on Jan. 18. Musselman has instituted some new plays this week, hoping the new looks can improve the outcome.

“If they work we will use them again, but we’ve got to make shots and we’ve got to make good entry passes,” Musselman said. “You’re not going to change a lot in a week, but certainly we’ve added some tweaks and some other things. We’ve added four or five different wrinkles to some things that maybe we need to take more advantage of, especially when you play a team a second time.”

Junior Tramon Mark has been the Razorbacks’ go-to threat for most of the season and will likely be the offensive catalyst again. The Houston transfer is currently fifth in the SEC in scoring with 17.8 points a game, and has topped 20 points the past two games.

Mark led the Hogs with 24 points and seven rebounds in the first meeting with the Bulldogs. He went 10-of-10 from the free throw line, and also led the team in steals, assists and blocked shots in that game.

Georgia (14-9, 4-6 SEC) also limps in with four straight losses, including Wednesday’s 75-62 defeat at Mississippi State.

Arkansas is 26-17 all-time against Georgia, all coming since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1991, including 13-3 in games played in Fayetteville.

Saturday’s game will air on the SEC Network, with Razorback legend Joe Kleine providing the color commentary, along side Mike Morgan.

Jan 31, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots against Missouri Tigers guard Anthony Robinson II (14) and forward Aidan Shaw (23) during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN thinks Arkansas will beat Georgia on Saturday in Davis’ return

If the Hogs were to beat UGA in Devo’s return, at least a frustrated fan base could feel happy for a few days, anyway.

In the midst of the worst Arkansas basketball season in a decade and perhaps the most disappointing Arkansas basketball in a generation, the normally optimistic Razorbacks fan base has been left to wonder just what’s next.

A bout of good news, perhaps?

Arkansas will host Georgia on Saturday from Bud Walton Arena and 5 p.m. and, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Razorbacks have a 51.5% chance of heading home that night victorious. A win would be a badly needed boon for the Hogs, who have never fallen below .500 in coach Eric Musselman’s four-plus seasons running the show. A loss against the Bulldogs would snap that skid.

Georgia beat Arkansas in the teams’ first meeting in early January. The Razorbacks looked listless in Athens and ultimately fell to 0-2 in conference play. It hasn’t gotten much better as Arkansas is now 11-11 overall and 2-7 in the SEC.

Saturday’s game will mark the return, too, of guard Devo Davis, who missed the last three games, having taken a leave of absence from the team. No reason was provided, which fueled Bobby’s-and-Susie’s grapevine, what with a fan base angered, looking for someone to blame.

Most of the response to Davis’ return to the team earlier this week was positive. He is a Jacksonville High graduate and responsible for lifting Arkansas to the Elite Eight his freshman season. And a win over Georgia might allow the Hogs and their fans to keep happy.

For a while, at least.

Arkansas guard Devo Davis returns to Razorbacks

Devo’s back. The Jacksonville High grad missed three games because of unspecified reasons.

Arkansas guard Devo Davis has returned to the team, coach Eric Musselman said Monday on his radio show.

Davis, a four-year starter, took a leave of absence from the team that was announced 10 minutes before Arkansas’ game just under two weeks ago against Kentucky. It was the second time Davis’ tenure he left the team during the season. Last year’s absence lasted two days. Davis missed three games this year.

No reason was given for his leaving the team, nor was one given about his return. Given Arkansas’ penchant for tight-lippedness, it’s doubtful one will be known by the masses.

Davis has averaged just 6.5 points and four rebounds this season with the points average a career low. The last time he played, against Ole Miss on January 24, he was benched in the first half and did not return, per Musselman’s decision.

“Devo and I met yesterday and had a great meeting in the office,” Musselman said. “He is back with the team and practiced today. We’re excited to have him back.”

The Jacksonville High product has been in the spotlight nearly his entire Arkansas career. As a freshman, his game-winner against Oral Roberts lifted the Razorbacks to the Elite Eight. Last year, his step forward offensively – he is largely considered an elite defender – helped Arkansas back to the Sweet 16. With the Hogs’ struggles as a team this year, Davis shouldered a lot of the blame from angry fans due in large part to his individual struggles.

Arkansas is off the rest of the week with its longest break of SEC play. The Razorbacks return to action Saturday at home against Georgia and Davis will almost certainly be dressed and playing.

Rumors run wild on social media, as Razorbacks seek win over Mizzou

With rumors running rampant about the Arkansas basketball team, fans have little hope for the remainder of the season.

With the Arkansas basketball team desperately needing a win with a trip to Missouri on Wednesday night, the program’s troubles appear to stretch far beyond the court.

After three straight Sweet 16 appearances – including a pair of Elite 8s – then beginning the season ranked No. 14 in the AP Preseason Top 25, the Razorbacks (10-10, 1-6 SEC) have struggled to gain much footing this season.

With early wins over Purdue, in an exhibition game, and Duke on Nov. 29, the ugly home loss to UNC Greensboro seemed like an anomaly. But since the SEC slate began on Jan. 6 with a 32-point loss to Auburn – the worst home loss ever inside Bud Walton Area – success has been a rarity.

Other than a buzzer-beating win over Texas A&M two weeks ago, in which the Razorbacks blew a 20-point lead, the Hogs have fallen flat in their other six conference games. Arkansas had lost those first five games by an average defeat of 20.6 points per game, but at least showed some fight in a 63-57 loss to No. 6 Kentucky on Saturday,

Per the norm, Razorback fans have taken to social media to post their displeasure for this year’s team, which has now swirled into a huge rumor mill.

The only definite answer publicly known at this point, is the fact that the program is in major disarray.

Here are some of the posts that appeared on X, prior to the Missouri game:

Twitter/X reacts to Arkansas guard Devo Davis’ absence from Razorbacks basketball

The best fans wish Davis the best. The other fans are comtempuous of the Arkansas guard. Wrongly.

Arkansas guard Devo Davis stepped away from the team, per a press release sent by the Razorbacks’ sports information department 10 minutes before Saturday’s tip against Kentucky.

The wording of the sentence is active, mind. Officially, the sentence in the release read “Arkansas senior guard Davonte Davis has stepped away from the program.” The way it’s written means that the move was Davis’ not anyone else’s.

Of course in the era of tight-lipped coaches, players and sports information departments, no reason was given. Nor will one be. That, of course, won’t stop people from speculating.

The closest we know is from ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who called the game on Saturday. Bilas stated Davis as “AWOL,” meaning absent without leave. That means he took time away from the team without permission.

Reasons are irrelevant, really. Davis put in extreme effort in his three-plus seasons with the team and he very well could be back in a matter of days. Or not.

Let’s see how the always sane (read: never sane) folks on Twitter/X are reacting.