Razorback Basketball Remains Undefeated

Gideon Lytle

The Arkansas Razorbacks are playing strong so far this season. They opened up the season playing fast and efficiently and six games into the season, they are still putting in work. The Hogs’ last game was at home against, now 4-2, Iona, capturing a 94-77 victory. The #18 Arkansas team will travel to Iowa State on December 4th and look to continue their winning streak and move up in the rankings. The Razorbacks are one spot away from their #17 status in 2007. Be sure to keep up with the Hogs’ team as they try to continue their success this season.

Razorbacks Come Up Short Again

After winning their first two SEC games under coach Brett Bielema, the Razorbacks fall to the #17 Mizzou Tigers in Columbia. Though during the first half it was all Arkansas, the Mizzou defense stepped up and didn’t allow Arkansas to score during the second half. Late in the fourth quarter, the Hogs had a good chance to tie up the game and were driving into Tiger territory, but a fumble by Alex Collins ended the chances of a comeback.
The Razorbacks finished the regular season 6-6 and will be playing in a bowl game that will be announced sometime next week. Though the Hogs didn’t win today in Columbia, this season was a confidence booster for the next year. Arkansas had lost 17 straight SEC games, but then played very well in the LSU and Ole Miss games to halt that streak. Coach Bielema will look to continue the success of the Hogs into this bowl game and to the next season.
Fans should not be too worried about this loss to Missouri, and should make sure to keep up with information on the upcoming bowl game, in order to make travel arrangements.

Make sure to stay safe and have a great Thanksgiving weekend. Check in here next week for information on the Hogs bowl game.

Battle Line: A New Rivalry

With Missouri looking to clinch a spot in a second straight SEC championship game, Arkansas will look to start a new rivalry and spoil the Tigers’ plans. The #17 Tigers are 6-1 in SEC play and are tied with Georgia in the SEC east at 9-2. The Razorbacks have been close to victories in many of their SEC match ups this year, only to get lose in the final moments of the game. But that really doesn’t matter for this Arkansas team, they have dominated in their last two outings. The Hogs’ defense forced six turnovers against the Rebels last Saturday and the offense took advantage of those opportunities. Other than the underrated Battle for the Golden Boot, the Razorbacks don’t have a really strong rivalry. By knocking Mizzou out of the SEC championship game, the Hogs could very well find themselves in an intense, new Battle Line Rivalry.

This is going to be a fun game to watch, so make sure to keep up with it tomorrow afternoon and check in here for the post game report.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving from Who Dat-Razorbacks’ writer and editor, Gideon Lytle.

Razorback Fact of the Day

Tomorrow’s game against the Missouri Tigers will be only the sixth time that the two teams have met. Mizzou leads the series 3-2. Also, this will be the first time the teams have met as SEC rivals. If Arkansas wins, they will tie the series, and claim their third straight SEC victory.

Razorbacks #25 in Power Rankings

The Razorbacks push into 25th in this weeks’ ESPN Power Rankings after back to back dominations of SEC opponents. Though the Hogs are just 6-5 and aren’t ranked in any other poll, they are certainly a team you’d like to avoid playing. Arkansas played a tough schedule this year, having to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. The ‘Backs played each game down to the wire with the exception of Auburn, when turnovers and sloppy play led to a 45-21 loss, and the biggest margin of defeat. Alabama and Mississippi State were both held to 17 points or less, while LSU and Ole Miss were not allowed a single score.
With a win over Missouri on Friday, the Hogs are likely to move into the top 20 and may find themselves ranked in other polls.

Sources:
ESPN

Hogs’ Basketball Take Down SMU

Arkansas, now 4-0, claimed their first road win as a ranked team since 1999. The Razorbacks grabbed an early lead after the Mustangs gave up 7 turnovers, but the SMU defense held the Hogs to just 33 points in the first half.
The Mustangs never took the lead or even tied it up for the whole game. SMU pulled to within 5 points with 4:31 left in the game, but Arkansas scored 8 unanswered to quiet the crowd. The Hogs pulled off a 78-72 victory of the Mustangs, and will play host to North Texas on Friday night.

Sources:
Arkansas Razorbacks Official App

Hogs’ Bowl Game: Terms and Conditions

The Razorbacks’ trip to Columbia, MO on Friday is an important one. If the Razorbacks grab the win, they also will squeeze into a more prestigious bowl game. The Hogs will still be playing in a bowl game if the # 17 Tigers claim the victory at home, but it is likely that they’ll have to settle for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport.
Regardless of if they win or loss in Missouri, the ‘Backs will get to play in a bowl game.
Winning against the Tigers will most likely put them in the Liberty Bowl against Texas. Losing, you’ll probably see them in Shreveport against an ‘at large’ opponent.

Remember, tune in Friday during the game for live stats and updates.

Sources:
CBS Sports

Arkansas-Missouri Preview

The Arkansas Razorbacks are making a trip north to take on the Missouri Tigers this Friday. The Tigers are 9-2 currently and are tied for the lead of the SEC east with Georgia. Missouri held off, SEC east foe, Tennessee last week 29-21 and hope to repeat that against an Arkansas team that has shut out two straight opponents. While Arkansas is sitting at 6-5, they are playing as if they are undefeated. With victories over #18 LSU and #8 Ole Miss, it seems that the Hogs are ready for any team. The Razorbacks powerful and time consuming offense is very effective and the Tigers will have to find a way to stop it or Arkansas may shut out a third straight team. Missouri has an offense that lives off of big plays, and if Arkansas’ defense can repeat their actions from the Ole Miss game, the Tigers won’t have a chance. The Razorbacks forced 6 turnovers in last weeks matchup, 3 picks and 3 fumble recoveries. One of the interceptions was returned from end zone to end zone for six points and a commanding 26-0 lead over the Rebels.
The basis for success the Razorback defense will need is to stop third down conversions. If the Tigers are able to convert many of those, it will allow them to develop a rhythm and attack the defense. The Hogs’ offense will just need to do what they always do, cram the run, wear down the clock, and tire the defense. If the run game is successful, Brandon Allen will have opportunities with the play action to throw some deep balls and make big plays.

My prediction:
Ark: 24
Mizzou: 13

Razorback Men’s Basketball Break into Top 25

After the Razorback’s third straight 3-0 start, they are ranked for the first time since being ranked 18 in 2007. The Razorbacks travel to Dallas next to take on SMU and open up the season 4-0. The Hogs are on a 12 game win streak against the Mustangs, six of those match ups were in Dallas. Last game Arkansas dominated Wake Forest 83-53. With SMU upcoming, the Hogs will try to continue climbing the rankings and go 4-0 for the first time since 2007.

Momentum Shifts for Razorbacks

     The 6-5 Razorbacks have had a terribly diffcult scedule this year, but most SEC scedules are. The Hogs ended a 17 game losing streak in the conference a little over a week ago, and it doesn’t seem that they are looking back. After shutting out #18 LSU in the Battle for the Golden Boot, 17-0, the Arkansas played host to #8 Ole Miss and sent them home with a goose-egg.

The Razorbacks forced Ole Miss to a three and out, and never slowed down. The Rebels went into half time with no points and Arkansas went in with 17. In the second half, Ole Miss got dangerously close to scoring, but the Hogs found two interceptions in the endzone, one of which was returned for six points.  Coach Bielema had been pressing for the domination of time of possession, and that is what the ‘Backs did, by a margin of 34:01 to 25:59. The Razorbacks took down the Ole Miss Rebels 30-0 for a second straight SEC shut out. It was the first time in NCAA history that an unranked team shut out two ranked teams in a row.

With six wins, the Razobacks are now bowl eligble, but they are focuesed on next weeks match up against the Mizzou Tigers. Coach Bielema will look to carry the momentum as they travel to Missouri and get his tenth win since coaching the Razorbacks.