Odds and Ends and Mississippi State

The Razorback Red-White spring game has been set for April 26th.

Razorback Expats has a good two-part interview with former fan favorite, Eugene "The Dunking Machine" Nash


The Battle For West Supremacy:

Arkansas 17-6 (6-3) at Mississippi State 16-7 (7-2)
Tipoff: Saturday at 3 pm
TV: ESPN

Weems went for 22 point and six rebounds while Patrick Beverley added 19 and 10 in the Razorbacks 78-58 pounding of the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago in Fayetteville. A win in Starkville would definitely establish the Hogs as the best team in the West.

About Last Night

The first four minutes of the second half...

Well, where do I begin this morning? What good excuses can I come up with? Ahh, screw it. We got killed the second half and now we have to go to Mississippi State and try to bounce back. Tennessee has been the proverbial thorn in our side this football and basketball season. Jujuan Smith was out of his mind last night and we just disappeared the second half after trailing by only five at halftime.



And I was feeling pretty good at halftime since Patrick Beverley had been on the bench for about 13 minutes the first half due to foul trouble and had yet to score. But I didn't count on Jujuan making like Allen Iverson and I didn't think the Vols (one of the worst free throw shooting teams in the league) were going to shoot so well from the free throw line either (73%).

And Bruce Pearl didn't even wear his bright orange suit jacket. All in all it was a majorly disappointing game.





(You are getting sleepy... the second half of the Tennessee game never happened... you can now go back to your happy place...)






Well, everyone enjoy the rest of your Valentine's Day...
I'm moving forward now... singing dollar dollar bill yall

Take Me To Another Land

You remember the band Arrested Development? Maybe. Maybe not. Well, one of their big hits in the early 90's was a song called "Tennessee." In case you forgot, here are the lyrics to the chorus:

Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Help me understand your plan

Now, if I was living in Tennessee, that would be my feelings exactly.

Anyway, pertinent musical info aside, I'm here today to look at how the Arkansas Razorbacks are going to take down the Basketvols in Knoxville Wednesday night.




(Bruce Pearl: Just crazy or crazy like a horribly embarassing orange fox?)







The Preview:


Arkansas 17-5 (6-2) at #4 Tennessee 21-2 (8-1)
Tipoff: 7:05pm
TV: Raycom Sports


Tennessee is considered the best team in the SEC and with good reason. They are arguably the most athletic and best shooting team in the conference. It seems like Chris Lofton has started to really find his stroke going for 20+ points in five of their last six games.


(Chris Lofton is such a prima donna that he requires his "lesser" teammates to carry him to the bench when timeouts are called)





There are a lot of questions heading into the game that will determine the outcome: Will Arkansas be able to control the pace and pound away at Tennessee inside? Will the Hogs be able to win the battle on the boards? Can the Razorbacks limit their turnovers against a Tennessee team that is forcing opponents into 20 turnovers a game and has a +7 turnover margin against opponents? Will Gary Ervin punch Chris Lofton in the groin early on to set the tone?

I say yes, yes, yes, and let's hope so. Arkansas wins at Tennessee for the second time in three years either 99-38 or somewhere around 78-75.


(One things for certain, there's a 100% probability that there's a 50-50 chance that we'll get to see the worst looking sports jacket in college basketball on display Wednesday night)




And finally, Patrick Beverley is getting a little love this Valentine's eve towards the end of Pat Forde's column at ESPN.com

Two Sexy Men

1. Reggie Herring



Former Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie has landed with the Dallas Cowboys after a month on the job as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M and an 0-1 head coaching record at Arkansas.



2. Will Farrell



Check out the rest of Will and Heidi's photo shoot at SI.com and his new video "Love Me Sexy"

U-G-L-Y, That Game Ain't Got No Alibi

It was ugly, hey, hey, it was ugly.

In the Razorbacks poorest performance since the Georgia loss, Arkansas shot just 39% from the field, 24% from the three point line, and just 59% from the free throw line in their 75-69 win over Ole Miss. Arkansas threatened to blow away the Rebels after jumping to a 16-2 lead to start the game, but Ole Miss freshman Chris Warren went 6-8 from the three point line and ended up with 26 to lead the Rebel comeback.

For Arkansas, Sonny didn't shoot the ball very well but still went for 22 and 10 while Beverley hauled down 13 more rebounds to go with his 17 points as the Hogs move to 17-5 (6-2). Does anybody have a good nickname for our 6'1 rebounding machine? Too bad Thomas has the "Manimal" nickname, because it's Beverley who has been a beast on the boards for the Razorbacks this season.

Arkansas now takes its four game winning streak on the road against the best team in the SEC - Tennessee, for a Wednesday night showdown. The Tennessee game starts a crucial five game run that includes four road games (Tennessee, Miss St., Kentucky, and Alabama) that will really test these Razorbacks as we head into March.

Mississippi Queens

We get our theme song for this week's opponent circa 1970 from the little known band named Mountain. "Mississippi Queen" has been covered by ZZ Top, Grand Funk Railroad, and even Ozzy. The song also appears on Guitar Hero III, but regardless of where or when I hear it, I'll always associate it with Ole Miss sports! Now that I've expanded your musical knowledge, let's get to the game.




Arkansas 16-5 (5-2) vs. Ole Miss 16-4 (3-4)
Tipoff: Saturday 4:05 CST
TV: Fox Sports SW



After a week off, the Razorbacks return to action tomorrow afternoon hosting the league's most overrated team - the Ole Miss Rebel Queens. The Rebels come in with a 16-4 record and are 22nd in the RPI rankings. They've lost three of their last four including a home loss to South Carolina. I mean who loses to South Carolina at home?

The Rebel Queens are led by guard Chris Warren who averages about 16 points a game and also by Dwayne Curtis who averages 15 points and nearly nine rebounds a game inside.

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy, in his second season, brings his defending SEC West champions to Bud Walton to face former Ole Miss coach Rob Evans who was there from 1992-1998 and won 20 games his last three seasons. How is Ole Miss supposed to win when the best Ole Miss coach is on the Arkansas bench? I don't see it happening. But what I do see is a rejuvinated and rested Razorbacks' squad putting a serious hurt on the Queens from Mississippi as the Hogs continue their quest for SEC supremacy. Razorbacks roll 114-35.

Razorbacks Land "First Annual Best Recruiting Class of All Time"

"These are the 25 individuals that will help Arkansas dominate the SEC for the next four years. In the words of John "Bluto" Blutarsky - The SEC can kiss my ass from now on. The Razorbacks are not gonna take this losing anymore. Miles, he's a dead man! Saban, dead! Tuberville, dead!"
- Coach Bobby Petrino

I’m really tired of the whole star rankings thing. I mean, this may work well if you’re a general, but I'm blaming the recruiting services for all this four star/five star elephant dung. We just don’t need it. The recruiting gurus here at the Hog Tale have tirelessly surfed other recruiting forums for alternative ratings. Without further ado, here is Bobby Petrino’s "First Annual Best Recruiting Class of All Time" commitments (if you've been brainwashed by the rivals.com's of the world and still prefer the old stars rankings, I've included those rankings as well):


Joe Adams, DB, Little Rock (4 stars) - a last minute commitment has a "12 dollar bling" rating by Street Hustler Recruiting







Lavunce Askew DT, Camden, AR (3 stars) - as one of four Camden Fairview signees, Askew will be called upon to come in and bring some meat to the Defensive line like Bill brought to the White House - a six Billary rating from the Clinton Campaign Recruiting Services




Khiry Battle DB, Dacula, GA (3 stars) - a secondary gem who was rated as a 5 Disturbingly Funny Baby Faces recruit by Toddlers Magazine





Greg Childs WR, Warren, AR (3 stars) - Childs likes the deep ball and likes his privacy and that's why the recruiting experts at Leave Britney Alone.com have given him a four Britney shaved heads rating




Brian Christopher DE, Camden, AR (2 stars) - the McCain Camp Recruiting News thinks Christopher can turn into a solid Razorback and have the DE as a 5 1/2 Johnny Stud




De’Anthony Curtis RB, Camden, AR (4 stars) - arguably the best running back in the class, Anthony received an impressive 11 Platinum Grillz ranking by The Urban Dental Society Recruiting gurus.

Alfred Davis DT, College Park, GA (2 stars) - this Georgia signee could have signed with Hawaii and been a stud, but opted for the Razorbacks where he'll help shore up the defensive line - a Four Hang Loose man according to various Tropical Recruiting publications



Austin Eoff OL, Fort Smith, AR (2 stars) - in a continuous effort to promote his new movie, Will Farrell gives Eoff a rating of 9 Sexy Jackie Moons



Albert Gary RB, Citra, FL (2 stars) - as the only Floridan to sign with the Hogs, Gary is considered a Can't Miss recruit by recruiting expert/rapper, Flo Rida





Elton Ford LB, Lithonia, GA (2 stars) - this linebacker will be blowing up the holes on that Razorback defense for the next four years - a five tuber as rated by KY.




Chris Gragg WR, Warren, AR (2 stars) - Gragg will be looked at to help solidify the receiving core and is considered an 8 Barack O'Urkel player by the Obama Recruiting News








Matt Hall OL, Russellville, AR (4 stars) - this dude is 6'10, 320 lbs. - a 17 bagger as rated by Big & Tall Recruiting Services





Dennis Johnson RB, Texarkana, AR (3 stars) - this back from Texarkana hits the holes in a flash and is a 6 Rim Recruit according to The Rims Recruiting Report



Basmine Jones ATH, Warren, AR (2 stars) - the Sweet Mustache Society Recruting gurus give this athlete from Warren 4 Geraldo Mustaches






Jerico Nelson ATH, Destrehan, LA (4 stars) - Jerico can do it all, and as a stud athlete is used to putting moves on defenders (and also on the ladies) that leaves their jocks on the field - an 11 jock man according to Where's Your Jock Recruiting




Anthony Oden OL, Indianapolis, IN (2 stars) - this big O lineman likes Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain... he's a 7 Pina Colada stud according to the Jimmy Buffett Recruiting Guide




Chris Raggett DB, Beaumont, TX (2 stars) - though Raggett is not highly ranked by Rivals, we did see that he is a solid 4 1/2 Hello Kitty keyrings player in the Preteen Recruting Dream Magazine



Jelani Smith LB, Abbeville, LA (3 stars) - Cardplayer Magazine says that Jelani is a legit 4 aces recruit and that rivals.com is full of crap with only three stars




Zach Stadther DT, North Little Rock, AR (3 stars) - in an effort to remain hip and relevent in today's society, Barry Mannilow has started his own recruiting service and gives Stadther 8 bobbleheads




Tramain Thomas ATH, Winnie, TX (3 stars) - this athlete from Texas garnered a solid 4-Tat Hug-Life rating in Tats Fo Ats Recruiting Forum




Cruz Williams WR, Little Rock, AR (3 stars) - this guy's motor will get up and go and that's made him a 12 quart stud as rated by Pennzoil's Recruting Service




Tyler Wilson QB, Greenwood, AR (4 stars) - one of the premier QBs in the nation, this kid is ranked as a 14 McLovins' Prospect in the SuperBad Prospectus



Jarius Wright WR, Warren, AR (4 stars) - his 4.4 speed should play out well next season for the Hogs - ranked as a Truckload of Green Pumas standout receiver by Puma Shoes Recruiting.



Tenarius Wright LB, Memphis, TN (3 stars) - this studly linebacker from Memphis is listed as an 8 Keg & 4 Shots of Tequila prospect at the Drinking Heavily Recruting website




Jim Youngblood QB, Camden, AR (3 stars) - not as widely a heralded QB as Wilson, but still a solid 6 1/2 Dead Knomes as reported by The Knomes Recruiting Services




There you have it! Throw in Michigan QB transfer Ryan Mallett, who may be eligible next season, and you have yourself the best recruiting class of all time! Don't pay any attention to rivals.com and their 8th or 9th place ranking of Arkansas among SEC teams. Their rating system is all bogus. Can't wait to get these studs on the field.