Behind enemy line: previewing Arkansas vs. Kansas with JayhawkSlant
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Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Arkansas vs. Kansas with JayhawkSlant
Arkansas vs. Kansas matchup preview with Jayhawks perspective from JayhawkSlant.com.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are back in the NCAA Tournament field after a one-year hiatus, as first-year Head Hog John Calipari has navigated a season full of injuries and a short roster to earn the Razorbacks a bid into March Madness. What awaits for his team is a head-to-head matchup between two storied programs and two Hall of Fame coaches.
The 10-seed Kansas Jayhawks and 7-seed Razorbacks drew a first round matchup against each other in the NCAA Tournament, and it’ll mark the second time this season the teams have met, though this meeting will be the first that counts in the record books.
Arkansas and Kansas met in a preseason exhibition that resulted in the Razorbacks emerging victorious, 85-69, back on Oct. 25. The Jayhawks were without three key players that game, though, and Arkansas was also not at full strength. Plus, both teams have grown and evolved since October.
To get a better feel for exactly how Kansas has grown and what to expect in this matchup, we reached out to Shay Wildeboor of JayhawkSlant, the Kansas Rivals affiliate, to provide some context and intel on the matchup. Here is what Shay had for us:
It has been quite some time since the exhibition matchup between Arkansas and Kansas. The Jayhawks didn't play their full roster and the Razorbacks have had guys develop since then, as well. What would you say is the biggest difference in this Kansas team since that exhibition game?
Shay: "When Kansas and Arkansas met back on October 25 inside Bud Walton Arena, Hunter Dickinson, Rylan Griffen, and Shakeel Moore were sidelined with injuries. Dickinson, the 7-foot-2, 265-pound center from Alexandria, Va., leads Kansas in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (10.0), while Griffen averages 6.4 points per game on the season.
"Dickinson, in the previous three games, has logged 104 minutes, hit 32-of-59 field goals, 6-of-11 shots from behind the arc, 7-of-9 free-throws, pulled down 35 rebounds, dished out seven assists, blocked three shots, was credited with four steals and scored a total of 75 points.
"There’s no doubt that Dickinson is playing his best basketball at the right time for Kansas. He’s got the ability to score down low or from the perimeter.
"If Kansas is going to have any success in the NCAA Tournament, Dickinson will need to lead the way, but he can’t do it alone.
"Griffen, the 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard from Dallas, Texas, played a key role in Alabama reaching the Final Four a season ago, will need to regain his shooting touch from behind the arc in the NCAA Tournament opener against Arkansas.
"He has the ability to be a difference-maker, but doing so on a consistent basis has been the biggest problem. Currently, Griffen is averaging just 6.4 points per game and shooting just 33.6 percent (40-of-119) from behind the arc.
"Unless something changes last minute, I don’t anticipate Shakeel Moore playing many minutes, if any at all, on Thursday night."
Hunter Dickinson is one of the best big men in the country and has put together another strong season. He's back in the NCAA Tournament with the Jayhawks for the second time after a Round of 32 exit last year. Is there any pressure on him to take this team further this year? Is there any pressure on the team and coaching staff as a whole after back-to-back Round of 32 exits?
Shay: "If Kansas is going to make a run in March, Hunter Dickinson will need to lead the way for the Jayhawks. He can’t do it alone, but Coach Bill Self made it clear last week that Kansas is going to ride Dickinson in March, and he needs to be the guy that steps up and sets the tone.
"As I mentioned above, Dickinson, in the last three games, has logged 104 minutes, hit 32-of-59 field goals, 6-of-11 shots from behind the arc, 7-of-9 free-throws, pulled down 35 rebounds, dished out seven assists, blocked three shots, was credited with four steals and scored a total of 75 points.
"With the most important part of the season looming, Dickinson is playing his best basketball.
"As good as Dickinson has been lately, he’ll need some help from his supporting cast. In last week's Big 12 Tournament, senior guard Zeke Mayo, logged 74 minutes, hit 12-25 field goals, 10-of-12 shots from behind the arc, pulled down 12 rebounds, dished out five assists, and committed six turnovers.
"Mayo, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from Lawrence, Kan., was at his best at the Big 12 Tournament last week. In two games (defeated UCF and lost to Arizona), Mayo scored 44 points and, like he’s done so many times this season, converted a number of big shots when his team needed it the most.
"If Dickinson and Mayo have similar performances against Arkansas, Kansas will be a tough out. As good as Dickinson and Mayo were last week, AJ Storr (bench), Dajuan Harris, Rylan Griffen, David Coit, KJ Adams, and Flory Bidunga must find ways to impact the game on both ends of the court."
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Arkansas scoots by Oral Roberts in midweek, 4-1
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The No. 3 Arkansas baseball team (19-2, 2-1 SEC) defeated Oral Roberts (12-7, 1-2 Summit League) in a 4-1 midweek bout Tuesday evening at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
Both teams combined for 15 total hits, eight of which came from the Razorbacks. Charles Davalan poured in three singles, a walk and an RBI, while Wehiwa and Kuhio Aloy each had two hits.
Arkansas finished 8-for-28 at the plate, 6-for-17 with runners on, 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-3 with the bases loaded.
Hogs' starting pitcher Ben Bybee was excellent in four innings, as he struck out five batters and only allowed one hits on 55 pitches. That outing lowered his season ERA to 3.38.
Bybee's day started strong on the mound, as he struck out three-of-four batters he faced with one hit allowed in the top of the first. The Razorbacks loaded the bases their first time up to bat behind two singles and a walk, but that was all she wrote against Oral Roberts right-hander Brenden Asher.
After picking up two more punchouts in the second, Arkansas' offense finally clicked things into gear. Carson Boles led off with a walk, but he was erased off the base paths on a Nolan Souza fielder's choice. Zane Becker worked a great at-bat that ended with a hard-hit single, and Charles Davalan put the Hogs up 1-0 with an RBI hit to left field.
The third inning went as fast as it came, primarily because of Bybee's early at-bat success. That continued in the fourth, as he recorded his first two outs on only three pitches. His next adversary took the count to full, but Bybee drew a fly out for his second straight 1-2-3 frame.
Bybee was relieved in the fifth for freshman lefty Cole Gibler, who gave up three straight singles to allow Oral Roberts to tie the game, 1-1. Gibler bounced back with a strikeout, groundout and flyout to escape the jam.
Oral Roberts also changed pitchers in the fifth, and it backfired quickly. Davalan led off with his second single of the game, Wehiwa Aloy walked and Kuhio Aloy gave Arkansas the lead with a hit to left field. After a Maxwell catcher's interference play, Iredale smoked a ball to right field, but it was caught on a great sliding play and resulted in a sac-fly run. A double play ended the inning with the Razorbacks up 3-1.
Trust worthy junior Arkansas left-hander Parker Coil took the mound in the seventh for the Hogs, but he allowed a leadoff single to get the Eagles going. That didn't matter much, as Coil drew back-to-back first-pitch outs to end the frame.
Arkansas loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a close play at second on Souza's fielder's choice groundout ended the inning, after review. That upped the Hogs' stranded-on-base total to 10 in the game.
The Eagles made a run of things against Coil in the eighth, which included a two-on, one-out situation, but the southpaw punched back with a drawn flyout and a strikeout to close the door on the comeback.
Becker walked to start the eighth and Davalan picked up hit No. 3 to jumpstart the offense. The bases were loaded following a Wehiwa Aloy single and the Hogs increased their lead to 4-1 on a Kuhio Aloy RBI double-play groundout.
Wild righty closer Christian Foutch looked to return to form in the ninth, and he started well with a strikeout and flyout before issuing a four-pitch walk. The game ended on a first-pitch foulout.
Up next, Arkansas will face Oral Roberts in Game 2 of their midweek set Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Arkansas vs. Oral Roberts
- By masonchoate
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The No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks (18-2, 2-1 SEC) are set to host the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (12-6, 1-2 Summit League) for a two-game midweek series starting Tuesday evening at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
Tuesday’s game is set for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch with junior right-handed pitcher Ben Bybee (2-0, 4.50 ERA) starting on the mound for Arkansas. Sophomore left Colin Fisher (2-0, 3.09 ERA) will start Wednesday’s contest, which is set for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch. Both games will stream on SEC Network+.
Arkansas is fresh off a top-15 series win at Ole Miss over the weekend to open Southeastern Conference play. The Razorbacks are winners of 16 midweek games in a row, including a perfect 5-0 mark this year.
Razorbacks’ shortstop Wehiwa Aloy continued his hot streak at the plate over the weekend, including his two home run day in Sunday’s rubber match win over the 13th-ranked Rebels. Aloy is one of just five SEC players with at least nine home runs already this season.
Oral Roberts took a five-game winning streak into a weekend series with North Dakota State, but the Golden Eagles dropped the first two games of the series before salvaging things with a Sunday win. The Golden Eagles rank third in the Summit League with a .271 team batting average and their 5.72 team ERA leads the conference.
Arkansas is 71-35 all-time against Oral Roberts, including a 40-14 record in games played in Fayetteville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks are 17-6 overall and 11-3 against the Golden Eagles at Baum-Walker Stadium. Arkansas is off to a perfect 14-0 start at home this season.
Below are details on how to watch, BetSaracen betting lines, links to stream and links to all of our coverage leading up to the game...
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How to Watch/Listen
Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (18-2, 2-1 SEC) vs. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (12-6, 1-2 Summit League)When: Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. CT
Where: Baum-Walker Stadium - Fayetteville, Arkansas
TV/Stream: SEC Network+ / Watch ESPN(Brett Dolan and Troy Eklund)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network(Phil Elson and Bubba Carpenter)
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Starting Pitchers
Oral Roberts – RHP Brendan Asher (1-0, 14.40 ERA)Arkansas – RHP Ben Bybee (2-0, 4.50 ERA)
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BetSaracen Odds
Below are details on the betting odds for the game and Double R Prop bets. To get in on the action, visit BetSaracen.com and click on the Arkansas Specials tab.(Lines and odds are subject to change at any point after the publishing of this story. HawgBeat does not guarantee any bet as a winner or loser. You must be at least 21 years of age to use BetSaracen. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net)
*All odds accurate as of the publishing of this story. They are subject to change.*
Moneyline
- Arkansas: -1300
- Oral Roberts: +550
Run Line
- Arkansas: -4.5 (-130)
- Oral Roberts: +4.5 (-105)
Over/Under
- Over/Under 12.5 runs (-110/-110)
Double R Props (More available in the BetSaracen app)
- TBA
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Catch Up On HawgBeat's Arkansas Baseball Coverage
- WATCH: Dave Van Horn postgame - Arkansas 12, Ole Miss 9- Wehiwa Aloy lifts Arkansas past Ole Miss in rubber match
- WATCH: Dave Van Horn postgame - Arkansas 12, Ole Miss 3
- Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
- WATCH: Dave Van Horn postgame - Ole Miss 10, Arkansas 6
- Arkansas drops SEC Opener at Ole Miss, 10-6
Wehiwa Aloy lifts Arkansas past Ole Miss in rubber match
- By masonchoate
- The Trough
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Junior shortstop Wehiwa Aloy's ninth inning three-run home run lifted the No. 3 Arkansas baseball team (18-2, 2-1 SEC) past the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels (16-4, 1-2 SEC) in a 12-9 series-clinching win Sunday afternoon at Swayze Field in Oxford, Mississippi.
The Razorbacks were down to their final out in the top ninth inning with the Rebels leading 9-8, but outfielder Charles Davalan tied it with an RBI single and Aloy left no doubt with his 346-foot blast to right field. True freshman Carson Wiggins pitched two innings of one run ball and ended up with the win after closing down the final two innings.
Both teams combined for 26 total hits, 16 of which came via the Razorbacks. Aloy drove in five runs on three hits, two of which were home runs to push his season total to nine longballs. Outfielder Logan Maxwell also had three hits, while three other Hogs had multi-hit days and nine total Razorbacks recorded a hit in the game.
Arkansas starting pitcher Landon Beidelschies did not have his best stuff, as he gave up four earned runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in just 2.1 innings pitched. Veteran right-hander Will McEntire threw 3.1 innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts, but the Rebels found more success after McEntire's outing ended.
Beidelschies issued a nine-pitch walk and then gave up a two-run home run against his first two batters. He picked up two quick outs after that before loading the bases just to leave them stranded and keep the deficit at 2-0 after the first inning. The Ohio State transfer lefty looked much better with a 1-2-3 bottom of the second that featured a pair of strikeouts.
Ole Miss starter Mason Nichols continued to deal with a three up, three down top of the third inning to keep the Hogs' lineup quiet. Beidelschies gave up a one out double followed by another two run home run, this one by Rebels' third baseman Judd Utermark, that chased the Hogs' starter from the game. McEntire relieved Beidelschies and quickly picked up two outs to end the frame.
Nichols gave up just his second hit of the day on a two out single by Maxwell in the top of the fourth inning. Third basemen Brent Iredale walked and then first baseman Cam Kozeal scored Maxwell with a bloop RBI single, but that was all the Hogs could scratch across in the frame.
McEntire overcame the Hogs' third error of the weekend and faced just one more than the minimum in the bottom of the fourth inning.
After scoring eight runs in the top of the fifth inning Saturday, the Razorbacks found more success in the frame Sunday with back-to-back two out RBI knocks from Kuhio Aloy and Maxwell to cut the deficit to 4-3. McEntire followed it up with a dominant 9-pitch bottom of the fifth inning.
With Ole Miss reliever Walter Hooks pitching in the top of the sixth inning, the Hogs put three of their first four batters on base. Second baseman Nolan Souza's RBI double to the wall in right field tied the game at 4-4 and chased Hooks in a key moment. Ole Miss turned to right-hander Brayden Jones, who gave up a go-ahead RBI groundout to Charles Davalan followed by a two-run home run to Wehiwa Aloy that made the lead 7-4.
McEntire gave up a leadoff homer run to Ole Miss first baseman Will Furniss in the bottom of the sixth. The Bryant (Ark.) native picked up two straight outs before allowing a two out double that chased him and brought on Hogs' righty Christian Foutch, who issued a walk and hit by pitch before leaving the bases loaded.
Kozeal hit another RBI single with one out in the top of the seventh inning to make the Hogs' lead three runs. Jones was relieved by Rebels closer Connor Spencer, who quickly got out of the frame without allowing anymore scoring.
Sophomore left-hander Colin Fisher was taken deep to right field on the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh by Rebels' right fielder Mitchell Sanford to cut the Hogs lead to 8-6. Back-to-back RBI swings by Ole Miss catcher Austin Fawley and shortstop Owen Paino tied the game and Fisher was relieved by Dylan Carter after issuing walk to put two runners on with two outs. Carter needed just one pitch to get out of the inning.
With bases loaded and one out in the top of the eighth inning, Iredale hit into a 4-6-3 double play to send the Swayze Field crowd into a frenzy as Spencer escaped what could've been disaster for the Rebels. Wiggins gave up the lead on a two out hit-and-run RBI single from Furniss that made it a 9-8 game.
Down to their final out in the top of the ninth, the Hogs tied the game at 9-9 on an RBI single from Davalan. Two pitches later, Wehiwa Aloy drove his second home run of the day to right field to score three runs, giving the Hogs a 12-9 lead.
Wiggins stranded a pair and picked up the win in the process by closing things down in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Up next, Arkansas will return home to Fayetteville for a two-game midweek series against Oral Roberts on Tuesday and Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch Tuesday is set for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Box Score
