Tag: razorbacks basketball

Alabama MBB takes down Arkansas 84-69, remains perfect in SEC play

Alabama earns the win on the road against a top-15 Arkansas Razorbacks team.

Alabama men’s basketball improves to 14-2 on the 2022-2023 college basketball season and remains perfect in conference play at 4-0 after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville with a final score of 84-69.

Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with 26 points with Noah Clowney scoring the next-highest amount with only 15. Star freshman Brandon Miller had a relatively quiet night, but still managed to put up 14 points and four rebounds.

After being tied at the half, the Razorbacks kept the game close until the final minutes of the game, when Alabama’s lead grew all the way to 15.

The Crimson Tide will host LSU in Tuscaloosa this Saturday in an expected sold-out Coleman Coliseum.

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Two assistants are promoted to full-time status on Musselman’s staff

Eric Musselman has promoted two graduate assistants to full-time members of the staff.

Two key members of Arkansas Men’s Basketball’s run to the Elite 8 have received promotions to remain on the staff.

Caleb Cline and Raheem Martin, two graduate assistants on head coach [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag]’s staff for the last two seasons, have earned full-time positions with the program, Arkansas Men’s Basketball says in a press release.

Cline has been officially named as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations. Prior to Arkansas, Cline played basketball at the University of South Dakota as a walk-on, graduating from USD in 2020.

Martin will now serve as Coordinator of Student-Development. Martin was a four-year letterman at Greensboro College, a Division III program in North Carolina. Prior to Arkansas, Martin served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, as well as Richard Bland College.

“Caleb and Raheem quickly established themselves as graduate assistants,” Musselman said in the press release. “Our staff, but more importantly our players, have the ultimate confidence and trust in them. They have been leaders in their previous roles and our players have benefitted from their knowledge. The program is fortunate to keep them in the family.”

According to the press release, Cline and Martin are the third and fourth staff members to be promoted within the Razorback program this off-season, joining Anthony Ruta (from director of operations to assistant coach) and Michael Musselman (from director of recruiting/assistant director of operations to director of operations).

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PHOTO GALLERY: First look at Jaylin Williams as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Jaylin Williams is officially a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder!

Arkansas forward [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] became the third player in the [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag] era to be selected in the NBA Draft last Thursday when he was selected 34th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“He’s going to be a great fit with the Thunder. He is a player that should be able to come in right away and contribute due to his high basketball I.Q., his ability to rebound and his play on dribble-handoffs,” said Musselman following Williams’ selection. “Our staff is extremely happy for Jaylin and his family.”

Williams has been a valuable member of Razorbacks Basketball over the last two seasons. In 63 career games at Arkansas, Williams has scored 499 points, pulled down 485 rebounds, and has a free throw percentage of 0.731.

During his sophomore campaign in 2021-22, Williams scored 10.9 points per game to go along with 9.83 rebounds per game for head coach Eric Musselman’s squad that ended their season in the Elite 8 for the second straight season.

Some notes of Williams’ introduction to the Thunder franchise, he met with fellow player of the same name who was also drafted by Oklahoma City, Jalen Williams. He also received his jersey number, he will wear No. 6 as a member of the Thunder.

Arkansas to partner with Topps in NIL trading card deal

Arkansas fans can soon collect trading cards of their favorite Razorbacks thanks to this new NIL deal with Topps and Fanatics.

Trading card fans rejoice, you will soon be able to add cards of top collegiate student-athletes to your collection.

Fanatics collectibles and Topps trading cards announced Thursday that a comprehensive agreement is in place to produce trading cards of football and basketball student-athletes beginning this fall, in an effort for athletes to earn profit through name, image, and likeness.

Flagship, the University of Arkansas’ program to aid student-athletes in finding NIL deals, also announced Thursday that Razorback student-athletes will have the opportunity to receive compensation by allowing their name, image, and likeness to be used on a trading card. One Razorback men’s basketball player, [autotag]Nick Smith Jr.[/autotag], has already signed a partnership with the company.

In a statement, Fanatics says that the trading cards will feature official university trademarks with NIL rights from both current athletes and former players, and student-athletes will receive payment based on popularity of card sales.

“Both the schools and athletes benefit through rights fees and royalties paid on the sale of collegiate cards. Higher profile universities and student-athletes command larger rights fees driven by demand from collectors.”

Several of College Football’s top players have already signed an NIL agreement with Topps, including Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, and USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

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Two Basketball signees sign early NIL deals

It did not take long at all for these athletes to land their first NIL deals.

It did not take long for these highly-touted freshmen to ink their first NIL deal.

[autotag]Nick Smith Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Jordan Walsh[/autotag], two headliners of the 2022 Arkansas Basketball recruiting class that ranks no. 2 in the nation, have announced their first NIL deals.

Smith has signed a deal with Topps, joining over 200 other student-athletes including Alabama’s Bryce Young and USC’s Caleb Williams who have signed agreements for their name and image to be featured on trading cards, in exchange for those athletes to earn profit.

According to On3’s Jeremy Crabtree, Fanatics said the agreements will include both exclusive and non-exclusive co-branded trading card products, incorporating official university trademarks and featuring current student-athletes and former athletes playing in the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

As for Walsh, he has agreed to partner with B-Unlimited, Inc. to release a line of apparel which features his name and image. The collection is supposed to be released later in the year.

B-Unlimited, based in Fayetteville, has partnered with several Razorback athletes including [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag], [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag], [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag], [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag], and [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag], as well as other athletes from schools such as Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn.

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Jordan Walsh named best “two-way” player in 2022 class

ESPN’s Paul Biancardi gives a nod to one of the headliners in Arkansas’ 2022 recruiting class.

When you think of Arkansas Basketball’s 2022 recruiting class, there is no doubt that five-star and McDonald’s All-American [autotag]Jordan Walsh[/autotag] comes to mind.

Walsh is the no. 7 ranked small forward in the nation, and the no. 2 overall player from the state of Texas. He was one of three five stars to sign with Arkansas out of high school, joining fellow Texan [autotag]Anthony Black[/autotag] as well as [autotag]Nick Smith Jr[/autotag].

What makes Walsh stand out? His ability to excel on both sides of the ball. He does so well in both aspects, that ESPN’s Paul Biancardi has named Walsh as the best two-way player from the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Brandon Jenkins of 247sports says that Walsh is hard to play with defensively.

Walsh’s calling card may be on the defensive end where he is disruptive guarding the ball and contesting shots. He has a nose for the ball and looks to control the glass when motivated and he can lead the break after securing a defensive rebound. 

Arkansas ended the 2022 recruiting cycle with the no. 2 class in the nation, behind only Duke. Among the class, were three five-stars, three four-stars, and five transfers.

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Devo Davis receives the key to his hometown

A great ambassador to the city of Jacksonville, Ark. Davonte Davis now has the key to the city.

One of Arkansas Basketball’s returning stars was recently recognized by his hometown.

[autotag]Davonte Davis[/autotag], known by Razorback fans simply as “Devo” recently received the key to Jacksonville, Ark. for how well he has represented his hometown at the University of Arkansas and by playing basketball for the Razorbacks.

“Since I’ve been little and have been playing sports, I have always represented Jacksonville, Arkansas,” said Davis in a video that he released on Twitter. “Through the good and the bad, (Jacksonville) always has my back. That’s why I love it.”

In two seasons at Arkansas, Davis has averaged 8.4 points while bringing down four rebounds per game. In 2021-22, Davis competed in 37 games while starting 14. Davis scored at least ten points in 15 games this season, headlined by his 26-point outing against Oklahoma on December 11.

Davis is probably best remembered for his “icing on the cake” dunk in Arkansas’ 80-76 win over then-no. 1 Auburn on February 8 at Bud Walton Arena.

Feb 8, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Davonte Davis (4) dunks the ball after the clock expired in overtime as Auburn Tigers guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Click below to view the video of Davis receiving the key to Jacksonville, Ark.

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Arkansas loses guard to Transfer Portal

Jaxson Robinson is the fourth Razorback to enter the transfer portal since the 2021-22 season concluded.

Arkansas guard [autotag]Jaxson Robinson[/autotag] will look to play for his third college in as many seasons, as he has entered the transfer portal.

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Transferring to Arkansas from Texas A&M following the 2020-21 season, Robinson made 16 appearances this season for the Razorbacks with four starts. Two highlights of his season included career-high 15 minutes played against Central Arkansas on December 1, and scoring a career-best 14 points against Elon on December 21.

Moving to the transfer portal could be considered costly for Robinson. Not only is this his second time transferring, but he entered the portal after the May 1 deadline.

Players have until May 1 to enter the portal, and be eligible to play the following season. But, since Robinson entered on May 12, he will need a waiver in order to become eligible to play in the 2022-23 season. If his waiver is not approved, Robinson will not only have to sit out a season, but will have to use a season of eligibility as well.

Since the season ended for Arkansas in the Elite 8, four Razorbacks have entered the transfer portal with three players finding a new home. Forward Chance Moore announced on April 11 his intent to transfer to Missouri State. Connor Vanover is headed to Oral Roberts, and KK Robinson is staying in the SEC by moving on to Texas A&M.

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Arkansas Baseball calls for fans to “stripe out” Baum Walker Stadium

The “stripe out” for the basketball game with Kentucky was amazing. Expect the one at Baum-Walker on Saturday to be just as stunning.

Arkansas Baseball is pulling out all the stops to ensure that Baum Walker Stadium is packed for the final SEC home series of the season.

The no. 4 Razorbacks welcome the no. 21 Vanderbilt Commodores to town for a three-game SEC series, and there will be plenty of promotions for fans to take advantage of. One promo, however, sticks out over the rest.

On Saturday, fans who are making plans to attend the game have been asked to “stripe” the stadium, similar to what Arkansas Basketball called for during the game with Kentucky on February 26.

Below is a diagram of how each section of the stadium should look:

Fans who have tickets in the even-numbered sections have been asked to wear red, while fans in odd-numbered sections should wear white. Fans that have the tickets for the Hog Pen in left field should wear red.

Other Promotions for the weekend include:

Fans who are wanting to try a new menu item can do so. Wright’s Barbecue has partnered with [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] to create a walking taco dubbed the “Turner’s Oppo Taco” that will be available this weekend.

Arkansas opens a three-game series with Vanderbilt on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

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Nick Smith Jr. sits at the top of the 247sports Top 150 list

Arkansas Basketball’s record-breaking 2022 signing class got more great news on Wednesday, as Nick Smith Jr was listed as the top player in the class.

Arkansas Basketball head coach [autotag]Eric Musselman[/autotag] has had plenty to celebrate this year. He recently led his squad to their second-straight Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Tournament and is bringing in one of the top signing classes in the nation for the 2022 recruiting cycle.

The nation’s No. 2 signing class according to 247sports just earned more star power, as a member of the said class has been ranked No. 1 overall for the class of 2022 in the 247sports Top 150.

[autotag]Nick Smith Jr.[/autotag], a five-star guard from North Little Rock, has taken the top spot in the final update to the 247sports top 150.

“It’s cool, I mean I’ve never really been the No. 1 player in the nation before,” Smith said to 247Sports. “It’s been a good journey for me to show my talent on the court and it is definitely a blessing to see somebody think that I’m the No. 1 player in the class.”

What makes Smith the No. 1 player in the country? Eric Bossi of 247sports explains:

Today’s game dictates that guards must be capable of generating their own offense. Whether it be out of pick and roll action, with a shot clock winding down or just a situation where guy needs to go and make a play, if a guard can’t generate offense on their own, their ceiling will be limited. Smith can do all of that and he does it with an electric first step, bounce at the rim and some flair.

Joining Smith in the 247sports top-150 list, are the remaining four members of Arkansas’ record-breaking signing class. [autotag]Anthony Black[/autotag] (14), [autotag]Jordan Walsh[/autotag] (19), [autotag]Derrian Ford[/autotag] (69), [autotag]Barry Dunning[/autotag] (126),[autotag]Joseph Pinion[/autotag] (142).

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