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Arkansas basketball gains commitment from Lebanese forward

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The Arkansas Razorbacks are in Providence playing in the NCAA Tournament, but that hasn't stopped recruiting, as Lebanese forward Karim Rtail committed to the Hogs, according to a report from Joe Tipton.

Rtail chose the Razorbacks over teams like Butler, SMU and Penn State. The 20-year-old has been playing professionally for Neptūnas-Akvaservis in Lithuania.

According to Eurobasket, Rtail averages 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for Neptūnas-Akvaservis. His highest-scoring game came against Delikatesas on Nov. 2, when he dropped 22 points and had 10 rebounds in a 102-79 win.

Rtail also played for the Lebanese FIBA U19 team in 2022 and 2023. He appeared in 12 total games in that two-year span and averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Arkansas now has four players in the class of 2025, as Rtail joins signees Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff Jr. and Isaiah Sealy.

College Baseball 2025

What non-hog games have your attention this weekend? Any other teams you follow or root for? Any bets anyone likes?

I have Virginia at 25-1 and 22.5-1 to win it all. The line was so off on them and now it is down to 9/1 to 12/1 depending on the book.

Clemson- Ok St, Ole Miss vs Arizona and Vandy vs GCU are about the only good games tomorrow. I'm waiting on lines for Clemson and Vandy. Typically SEC teams don't do well when they travel out West for some reason.

For the season, I'd watch out for Florida. Seem to be under the radar this year. I've got Tennessee going back to back. I think they have something going on from a player development standpoint that is just better than everyone else.

Also, if you aren't participating in @Chauvinist Pig College Dickheat thread on The Main Board, you are missing out.

Arkansas vs. Kansas State

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From @masonchoate:

The No. 5 Arkansas Razorbacks will look to get a little bit of revenge Friday against the Kansas State Wildcats, who won the 2024 Fayetteville Regional, when the teams meet for a matchup in the College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field.

Arkansas opened its season with a four-game home sweep of the Washington State Cougars, while Kansas State sports a 1-4 record with all five of their games so far coming away from home. The Wildcats knocked off the Razorbacks before beating Southeast Missouri State in the Fayetteville Regional final last June.

ALSO READ: Arkansas Baseball Notebook - Hogs travel to Globe Life Field

Diamond Hogs' head coach Dave Van Horn and his staff were able to watch the Wildcats live Tuesday, when the suffered a 12-9 road loss at No. 6 North Carolina.

"Well obviously they’re going on the road and playing some really good competition," Van Horn said Wednesday. "They lost a tough one last night. Had an opportunity to watch it live, as I think all the coaches did, and they played a few different people and they swung the bats pretty good.

"It’s a different team than last year, couple, three starters back and couple guys they filled in are guys we knew about that were in the transfer portal. Other than that, just what we’ve seen, they’ll be scrappy and I feel like they probably feel like they should have won last night’s game. We’ll be getting their best effort on Friday."

Columbia transfer Seth Dardar is off to a hot start with a team-best 13 hits and six doubles through five games played for K-State. The Wildcats rank fifth in the Big 12 with a team batting average of .294, but their 55 strikeouts are second-most in the league. Kansas State is also dead-last in the Big 12 in errors (13) and fielding percentage (.940).

JUCO transfer Brent Iredale is pacing the Hogs with seven hits, nine RBIs and two home runs after opening weekend. Arkansas ranks second in the SEC with 12 doubles and it is only one of three teams in the conference (Missouri and LSU) with five or less total walks issued by pitchers so far.

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 (4-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (1-4, 0-0 Big 12)
When: Friday, February 21 at 7 p.m. CT
Where: Globe Life Field — Arlington, Texas
TV/Stream: FloCollege (Ben Wilson and Pat Combs)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network(Phil Elson)
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Starting Pitchers​


Friday, Feb. 21

Kansas State – LHP Jacob Frost (0-0, 3.37 ERA)
Arkansas – RHP Gabe Gaeckle (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday, Feb. 22

Arkansas – LHP Zach Root (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
TCU – RHP Tommy LaPour (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday, Feb. 23

Michigan – TBA
Arkansas – RHP Gage Wood (0-0, 3.60 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: -250
- Kansas State: +190

Double R Props (More available in the BetSaracen app)

- Arkansas team over 2.5 doubles and opponent under 2.5 doubles (+135)
- Arkansas team over 9.5 total hits and opponent under 6.5 total hits (+185)
- Charles Davalan over 0.5 RBI and over 0.5 base on balls (+105)
- Gabe Gaeckle over 5.5 innings pitched and over 7.5 strikeouts (+140)
- Logan Maxwell over 0.5 hits and over 0.5 base on balls (+120)
- Wehiwa Aloy over 0.5 extra base hits (+120)
- Kendall Diggs over 0.5 hits and over 1.5 strikeouts (+350)
- Brent Iredale over 1.5 hits and over 0.5 home run (+220)
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Catch Up On HawgBeat's Arkansas Baseball Coverage​


- Arkansas Baseball Notebook: Hogs travel to Globe Life Field
- WATCH: Van Horn previews College Baseball Series
- Arkansas freshman standouts on Opening Weekend
- How Arkansas starting rotation fared Opening Weekend
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Is Arkansas Now

The leader of the SEC in recent basketball postseason success?

Does a trip to the Final 4 have to happen to solidify it?


Alabama
2021 - Sweet 16
2022 - lost RD1
2023 - Sweet 16
2024 - Final 4
2025 - 1 win (so far)
- 9 total wins

Tenner
2021 - lost RD 1
2022 - lost RD 2
2023 - Sweet 16
2024 - Elite 8
2025 - 1 win (so far)
- 7 total wins

Arkansas
2021 - Elite 8
2022 - Elite 8
2023 - Sweet 16
2024 - Thanks Muss..
2025 - 2 wins (so far)
- 9 total wins
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Hoops Social media reacts to Arkansas' win over St. John's

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Coach John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks (22-13, 8-10 SEC) are still alive in the NCAA Tournament following their 75-66 win Saturday afternoon over 2-seed St. John's at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

Led by freshman Billy Richmond III's career-high 16 points, the Hogs fought through major foul trouble to advance to their fourth Sweet 16 in the last five seasons. Calipari's club received massive performances from freshmen Karter Knox (15 points) and Boogie Fland (six points) too.

As a team, Arkansas shot 27-of-63 from the field, 2-of-19 from beyond the arc and 19-of-27 from the charity stripe. Zvonimir Ivisic fouled out before the 10:00 minute mark in the second half, while Jonas Aidoo was also called for four fouls.

St. John's center Zuby Ejiofor was by far and away the Johnnies' best player. He poured in a game-high 23 points and racked up 12 boards to boot. Guard Devion Smith (13 points) was the only other player to record double digit points.

Below are highlights and social media reactions from the Hoop Hogs' victory...

CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTIONS
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