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After weeks of scrimmaging against themselves in fall ball capped off with a three-game exhibition series against Oklahoma State over the weekend, the Diamond Hogs still have a position battle brewing at first base.

Arkansas' three main contenders for playing time at the corner infield position — returning redshirt sophomore Reese Robinett, Rhode Island junior transfer Michael Anderson and BYU sophomore transfer Kuhio Aloy — have all showcased different skill sets throughout the fall.

A big-bodied slugger from the northeast, Anderson led Rhode Island in RBI last season (41) and set the NCAA Division I single-game record with 12 RBI against Stonehill on March 20. In two seasons with the Rams, Anderson totaled 23 home runs and a .289 batting average.

According to stats collected by media during the fall, Anderson finished 6-of-32 at the plate (.188) with three long balls, nine RBI and 13 strikeouts. Between him and Aloy, according to head coach Dave Van Horn, Anderson is the better defender.

"Aloy, he's still learning the position," Van Horn said Thursday. "He may end up being an outfielder down the road. Last year, BYU, he just DHed, he didn't really do anything and they signed him as a pitcher, if that tells you anything. So they didn't have him hit in the fall and so he had a lot of time off from swinging the bat, trying to become a pitcher. He had a couple of really good weeks there."

At BYU, Aloy slashed .269/.329/.447 with nine doubles, a triple, eight home runs and a team-leading 37 RBI. He was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, but had a 60-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Sporting some of the best exit velocities on the team, according to Van Horn, Aloy has still struggled with swinging and missing (13 Ks this fall), but his four home runs and 11 RBIs give him an edge from the plate.

"Last week, it didn't go great for (Kuhio), but he's definitely a threat at the plate and he doesn't get cheated, pretty good eye," Van Horn said. "He's had some really good days and you'll see him this weekend, probably DH a little bit."

Finally, Robinett is the lone lefty of the trio and he impressed as a member of the Marth's Vineyard Sharks NECL Summer League team, as he hit for a .331 batting average with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 32 RBI.

Those offensive numbers have dropped off a bit with the Razorbacks this fall (9-for-37 at the plate, .243), but his experience within the Arkansas program and natural defensive ability make him a promising candidate for the upcoming season. Robinett even played third base in the Diamond Hogs' final exhibition match against Oklahoma State on Saturday.

"Robinett is the best defender, didn’t really have the great fall with the bat," Van Horn said Saturday. "Played outstanding defense, so we’ll get it figured out."

It should be mentioned that while Anderson, Aloy and Robinett are the three most likely options at first base, others could be in the mix as well. Junior college transfer Trenton Rowan played at the position in exhibition No. 3 against the Cowboys, and senior Kendall Diggs may be a possibility once he returns from injury.

Arkansas' 2024-25 baseball season will begin Feb. 14 with a four-game series against Washington State at Baum-Walker Stadium. Be sure to tune in to HawgBeat for updates on all the offseason action.

Heading into his third season with the Arkansas basketball team, redshirt junior forward Trevon Brazile hopes to elevate his game under first-year head coach John Calipari.

The 6-foot-10, 230-pound athlete tested the NBA Draft waters at the end of a rocky 2023-24 season, but he opted to return to the program after a chat with Calipari during the offseason. Fans got a first look at Brazile during Arkansas' first Tip-Off Tour event in Hot Springs on Saturday, which was essentially an open practice in front of around 4,000 fans.

When asked after the event what part of his game had improved the most over the offseason, Brazile had a short response — "Everything. I just have more confidence.”

That newfound self-belief will go a long way for Brazile, who averaged 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds as a redshirt sophomore last season. The former Missouri transfer started the year with seven double-digit performances in his first nine games, but knee problems and bad team play hindered his impact throughout the campaign.

The Springfield, Missouri, native credited his new teammates and coaches for his development over the offseason.

“When I came in, they told me how they want me to play, and how could I not listen to those guys?" Brazile said. "So just trying to go out there and do what they say.”

After grinding through the summer behind closed doors, performing in front of fans brought new juice to what was essentially an open practice, according to Brazile.

“It adds some adrenaline, obviously there’s a lot of people watching," Brazile said. "So you want to look your best no matter what. You always want to look your best, but it amplifies when there’s 4,000 people in the room.”

Even though he's been in Fayetteville for the last two seasons, because of the new coaching staff in town, Brazile said it doesn't feel like the same Arkansas program he transferred to in 2022.

“Obviously I’ve been here for a couple years, but when you have a whole different staff, they do things a whole different way," Brazile said. "It kind of feels like a new program. It’s definitely been an adjustment at first, but I feel like my teammates and my coaches have helped me adjust just fine.”

One of those adjustments has been Brazile's play. During the summer conditioning period, Calipari challenged Brazile — along with his teammates — to have an "attack dog" mentality.

"I mean, his resume speaks for itself, so I just try to do what he says." Brazile said July 29. "This summer I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress with not shooting threes. Just being what he calls an ‘attack dog.’ Just trying to be an attack dog."

The Tip-Off Tour will have its second and final stop in Pine Bluff on Sunday, and Brazile said the chance to get out in front of more fans across the state is something they should have been doing for a while.

“Going around the state, meeting people and playing in front of people that might not be able to get to a game or never see a practice or player in real life," Brazile said. "It’s a good thing for the state.”

Doors for the Tip-Off Tour at the Pine Bluff Convention Center will open at 3 p.m. CT Sunday. The team will participate in a meet-and-greet with fans, as well as a community service project with Samaritan's Feet, before beginning drill work on the court. Be sure to stay tuned to HawgBeat for the latest updates.