I’ve been really busy with “real life” and since most major sports are in their dead period I didn’t make updating a priority. So, I looked up today and realized “There is alot that I’ve missed that I need to cover”, so here I am. I haven’t went and pulled up all the stories that I’ll be putting in the trough yet but don’t be surprised when you see a couple of seprate troughs. Thanks for hanging around!
-Arkbear
In case you haven’t heard, the Diamond Hogs recaptured 8th place in the SEC standings with a sweep of #13 South Carolina. The weekend Series at Baum started with a bang when Freshman Jacob House hit a 1-0 pitch into the visiting bleachers for a walk-off grand slam, giving the Hogs a 12-11 win Friday Night. Here’s Video. That powered the Hogs to the sweep with finals of 6-3 Saturday and 4-2. The Hogs Followed that up with a win over Mississippi Valley St. 12-3. The Hogs have a RPI of 16 and are still projected to make a NCAA Regional. AS360 says the season hinges on the final SEC series of the year, at Mississippi St. Here’s a look at team leader Logan Forsythe.
Here’s some sound from last week’s Post Spring Press Conference with Bobby Petrino. The Razorbloggers talk about the High Expectations that the spring has brought. Frank Broyles will be inducted into the AD Hall of Fame. The second annual Paul Eells Stars N Strikes Celebrity Softball Game and Golf Outing is coming up and KATV is publishing more of Paul’s Calls…Via Slophouse and Expats. and Freshman forward Michael Sanchez is headed to China with the Reach USA squad to play in exhibition games against Chinese Pros.
Hog Tyler Hill and Ladyback senior Dacia Barr have been named to the SEC Good Works Team. Alex and Andy McClary, Long Distance Track Hogs, are Profiled. The Ladybacks have another Basketball Signee. The Ladyback Softball team has been selected to the NCAA Tournament. The Ladyback Tennis team has made the Sweet Sixteen. The Ladyback Golfers have advanced out of their regional to the NCAA Championships. The Men’s Golf team looks to do the same.
Finally one of my favorite sites, the one who’s disappearance prompted me to start the Hawg Blawg, has reappeared. The Slop is now being hosted at ARSN online. I won’t stop posting although they probably do a better job of what I aim to do. I just wanted to take a second to thank all of you for coming here and keeping me company. I really appreciate it. GO HOGS!
A year ago I started the Hawg Blawg. I didn’t really think that I’d stick it out this long but I’ve really enjoyed writing about the Hawgs. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal readers for their patronage. Just for fun I’ll list our highest ranked posts and my a couple of my favorites. Grab a piece of cake and Check it out below the fold…
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Earlier this week yours truly was asked if I was interested in a cross-blog interview with The Hoosier Report. The Hoosier Report has done a bang up job on breaking down Friday’s matchup and I encourage everyone to head over there. You might be asking right about now…”Where’s Part 1?”. Well, he’ll be posting the first four questions which you can find HERE! Part 1 contains questions about Kelvin Sampson, Nolan Richardson, Sanctions, IU’s Head Coaching Search and other interesting stuff to get you ready for tomorrow’s game. Below are the second set of questions. The Hoosier Report will be in Italics…
HR: How does the future look for Arkansas. Is Pelphrey recruiting well, and of this year’s moderately successful team, how much production do you lose and how much will be back?
HB:We have six seniors, who all play significant minutes, that will be gone after the season. As far as recruiting goes I’m excited to see point guard Courtney Fortson come in. He was Rivals No. 59 overall and we haven’t had consistent guard play since Nolan was roaming the sidelines. Also, Pelphrey likes a more up tempo style and with the six seniors leaving, and the recruits he’s bringing in, he’ll be able to return to that style. The state really misses Nolan’s “40 minutes of hell” style and hiring Pelphrey was a move back in that direction. Rivals ranks our ’08 class 14th so I think the future looks promising.
HB: I’ve read that for Indiana it all starts with Eric Gordon and Big Ten Player of the Year DJ White. How does Arkansas stop them? Also, who could surprise the Hogs?
HR: Well, as I said above, Gordon isn’t beating anyone but the Hoosiers right now. I’m cutting him some slack because he is playing injured, but he’s been brutal for the last seven games. The Hoosiers have struggled this year against teams with strong interior defenders, and it seems that Arkansas may fit that bill. DJ White’s worst game was against a lanky Connecticut team. The guy who could surprise Arkansas is Jordan Crawford. Crawford is a freshman whose family is well-known to Arkansas fans: Kentucky’s Joe Crawford is his brother. Crawford loves to shoot, and has had some bad games, but he often explodes. Crawford scored 20 against Kentucky in a game that Gordon missed because of injury; 16 in a tough road win against Minnesota; 18 in a double overtime slugfest at Illinois; and a game-saving 21 at Northwestern the day after Sampson’s departure. Also, any production out of the four spot would be a surprise for IU and Arkansas fans alike. Deandre Thomas, Lance Stemler, and Mike White have been so unpredictable that Sampson and Dakich have resorted to giving lots of minutes to Kyle Taber, a walk-on with limited skills but who isn’t prone to turnovers, bad shots, or stupid fouls.
HR: For my final question, it’s prediction time: how will the Indiana-Arkansas game play out, and who is winning it all in your bracket?
HB:I think Indiana will still be in their funk and Arkansas’ size inside will prove too much for the Hoosiers. But the Hogs can’t make anything easy on themselves…Arkansas 71- Indiana 69. Now I’ll preface this with the fact that I don’t predetermine my Final Four when I pick my bracket. I tend to look at each game from start to finish and see how the cards fall. I have Tennessee and UCLA in the Final and I picked the Vols in a relatively close game…Tenn 79-UCLA 68
HB: And for my final question I’d like to hear your prediction for Friday’s Game, do either of us have a chance against UNC, and who’ll win it all?
HR: Sadly, I think your prediction is about right. IU probably has the bigger upside, but has shown nothing in recent weeks. Arkansas 66, Indiana 61. As for UNC, I don’t know much about Arkansas, but IU, with scoring options inside and out is capable of beating UNC, although the Tarheels certainly should win. As for the champ, they have burned me many, many times, so I should know better, but I have Kansas winning an all Big 12 final over Texas.
HR: Nice talking to you.
HB: Thanks it’s been fun!
Just as a reminder…Here is part one and thanks again to the Hoosier Report!
Well I’ve enjoyed spending 2007 with all of you and can’t wait to see what 08 has in store for the hogs. I wish all of my readers a happy and prosperous new year. With that out of the way here’s your last trough of the year…
McFadden is still eligible for the Cotton Bowl after KARK/KNWA reported that his mother, sports agent and former hog Mike Conley, and D-Mac went and bought a Cadillac Escalade last week. It turns out that McFadden’s Step-Mother bought the car which D-Mac drove to Dallas. KARK appologized but the UA is still looking into it. Here’s a roundup of info for the Cotton Bowl. Here’s some Cotton Bowl Predictions…Expats, Razorbloggers, CFN. Petrino has retained Bobby Allen. The Hoop Hogs Rolled in a win over ULM 85-60. The Ladyback Hoopsters stayed perfect with a win over Marquette 71-69 to capture the Blue Sky Classic title. They’re 14-0. Finally, The Hog Blogger has his top five stories of the year up…5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
I’ve got a lot happening in my personal life over the next few days and I’ll be unable to post till probably some time late next week. Maybe Earlier. Until then check out the links on the side bar and I’ll catch you on the flip side. Go Hogs!
I’ve had my home pc crash and am in the process of buying a house along with the normal work schedule. So, Needless to say I’ve been busy. I’m on my work laptop and I’m trying to get up to speed. It’s like all hell broke loose in the hog nation and I’ll be updating when possible. Thanks for your patience.
Arkbear
Sorry about the lack up updates. I got home from the hill late Sunday and got ill Monday Afternoon at work (Unfortunatly this doesn’t pay the bills). I’ll try to get a link dump up tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows that I don’t have an opinion on the people who fly the banners. Well, to be honest I do but I won’t be making my feelings public. I publish the emails that Reganite sends me so you, the audience, can see his side of the story and to help you generate an informed opinion. Again the one thing I will say is that everyone has a right to their opinion and the right to state that opinion. That doesn’t mean I agree or disagree with him. I’m just allowing him to use this site as a bullhorn. If I get a story from the players or coaches point of view, I’m just as likely to run with that as well. In fact there is a story on Whole Hog Sports that quotes David Lee and Weston Dacus on this subject that will be linked to when I post the next Trough.
Go Hogs!
These out of town trips are killing me! Here’s your late Wednesday Trough….
The Expats look into the Butch Davis rumors…Fanblogs says Davis’ contract with North Carolina has no “out” clause. The Hog Blogger beats me to the punch by posting the “Vote For Ned” video first during FIU week. The media has picked the hoop hawgs to finish first in the west at SEC Media Days. (Look for a flood of SEC Hoop days stories tomorrow) Marcus Monk’s status for Saturday’s FIU game depend on if his knee swelled today. Finally, here’s another look at Felix Jones.
Update: I forgot to acknowledge the greatness that is Jerkwheat for producing the ned video. You’ll find him either contributing to the pop culture blog Dead On or commenting on Deadspin posts.
I’ve got more links than usual so I’m going to try something different today…
ESPN takes a look around a typical SEC weekend by following SEC Commissioner Mike Slive’s Day and by following the Dacus’ (Weston’s Parents) trip to the game in Little Rock. Hogwired has a fluff piece on McFadden and his #5. Speaking of McFadden The Hog Source reminds everyone to help get D-Mac an official Heisman vote at ESPN.com. The Expats give us 5 Reasons to hate Auburn. Arkansas Sports 360 mentions WR Robert Johnson is still having trouble with his ankle and asks about Danny Nutt. One last link regarding the Cross Country hogs looking for payback at the Chili Pepper Festival this weekend.
I’ve also added a few new links to the sidebar.
Have A Great Weekend and GO HOGS!
UPDATE: I know I’ve mentioned this before, but if you’re in the Fayetteville area, tonight is the first basketball practice of the year. Doors open at 7:30pm. Practice begins at 9pm. The first 5,000 fans will get a free schedule poster and admission is free. Details Here.
Congratulations! You’ve made it thru the Feburary chill, the Spring Game, getting that horrible sunburn, two-a-days, and the final arrest of the preseason. It’s Game Day.
Since kickoff is creeping upon us, and I’m a total procrastinator, I’m now offering you a prediction for the season (split into several posts)….
Troy
It’ll be closer than most would like, but we’ll leave with a win.
Hogs 32-Troy 21
@Alabama
I can’t see this as a win for several reasons…Saban’s first home game, last seasons game, the loss of Cleveland and Monk….but it’ll be close.
Hogs 21-Bama 24
Kentucky
I was there the last time the Wildcats Visited Fayetteville and they walked out with a win. It can happen. Just not this time.
Hogs 35-UK 28
North Texas
I’m at a loss for words regarding UNT.
Hogs 45-UNT 10
I try to use most of the Whole Hog Sports (WHS) stories as blog posts but I’m getting really busy with work and I think I’m just going to do another trought type of deal for the WHS stories I “don’t have time/don’t care to” highlite. I’ll type the title of the story and place a word or two description with the link. I’ll try it out and we’ll see how it goes.
I’ve had a hellish week at work and couldn’t update. I’m going to categorize a few updates under specialized troughs and Highlight a few important stories. Thanks for sticking around!
Arkbear
With SEC Media Days upon us I’ll be running alot of stories from places around the SEC but I’ll do them with little more than a link in the body of the post unless I want to make note of something. I also would like to appologize for having the updates so few and far between. I’ve had a busy week and having it hit during media days has been a pain!
Thanks,
Arkbear
Hawg Blawg 