All Hogs

Razorbacks Get Leader Back for Final Run with Devo's Choice

Davonte Davis withdrawing from NBA Draft to return for senior season with Hogs

Andy Hodges

Arkansas Razorbacks guard Davonte Davis (4) yells after a UNC-Greensboro Spartans turnover during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 65-58. (Brett Rojo / USA TODAY Sports)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On a day when a highly-sought recruit turned down Arkansas for a minor league pro shot, the leader announced he's taking his name out of the NBA Draft. Davonte Davis is coming back for his senior season while a third one-and-done freshman is headed to the NBA.

Three of the highly-ranked recruiting class last year are now headed to a pro career after one season with the Razorbacks after Jordan Walsh announced his decision to stay for a shot in the NBA.

The biggest news here is Devo coming back. With all the newcomers, the Hogs needed an experienced leader returning and that's Davis, who coach Eric Musselman has talked about an extension of him on the floor in games. He's even called timeouts on his own and Muss was fine with it after the game. That's probably until he does it at the wrong time, but that's addressing a hypothetical that hasn't happened.

In March, when it counts the most, Devo steps up. He's averaged 12 points game in 11 NCAA Tournament games for the Hogs with highlights including his defense and between the legs football snap against Colgate, smothering late defense on Mac McClung to fend off Texas Tech and the game-winning jumper to propel Arkansas past Oral Roberts in the Sweet 16.

He stepped up huge for Arkansas with 14 points in last season's narrow win over Vermont in the Round of 64 in Buffalo. This year, Davis scored 16 on Illinois in the opening round before a whopping 25-point performance in a victory over No. 1 seed Kansas.

"He provides so much being a competitor," Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said Wednesday at the SEC's spring meetings in Destin, Fla. "He knows the system and he can play so many positions. He can play 1-4 and he's got a ton of experience in the [SEC]. I think all those factors are important [for us]."

When the games count the most, he's played his best. In a year when Musselman has added a ton of transfers, getting a leader on the floor back may be the best recruiting job he's done and it was something they need. Hopefully in March.

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HOGS FEED:

GAME TIMES, TV NETWORKS SET FOR RAZORBACKS' FIRST THREE FOOTBALL GAMES (IF YOU CALL OPENER TV)

SHOULD THE SEC START MOVING TEAMS OUT OF CONFERENCE, RAZORBACKS WON'T BE ON THE BLOCK

VAN HORN NOT EXPECTING EASY ROAD THROUGH REGIONAL

SEC COMMISSIONER GREG SANKEY MAY HAVE TO JUMP IN MIDDLE OF SCHEDULE FRACAS AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

COULD BASKETBALL BE LOOKING AT SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT IN SEC THAT FOOTBALL SCHEDULING?

RANDOM NOTES: NCAA BASEBALL REGIONALS

GETTING TO TRUTH BEHIND BAYE FALL RUMORS

NCAA REGIONAL PAIRINGS REVEALED

RAZORBACKS COACH DAVE VAN HORN DOESN'T WANT A QUICK ENDING IN NCAA REGIONAL NEXT WEEK

HOW IT HAPPENED: RAZORBACKS FALL TO TEXAS A&M IN SEC TOURNAMENT, NOW LOOKING AT NCAA REGIONAL

BEING DECISIVE IN FACE OF ANGER SHOW WHY VAN HORN IS SEC COACH OF THE YEAR

WHETHER POTENTIAL PERMANENT OPPONENTS TRUE MOST LIKELY REVEALED NEXT WEEK

RAZORBACK FANS ALREADY LINED UP ON RAZORBACK ROAD FOR HOGPEN TICKETS TO NCAA REGIONAL

RAZORBACKS COACH DAVE VAN HORN STICKING WITH PITCHING PLAN THROUGH SEC TOURNAMENT

ARKANSAS FANS ONCE AGAIN DENIED CHANCE TO GET TRUE EXPERIENCE OF 'THE SWAMP' WHEN HOGS VISIT FLORIDA IN NOVEMBER

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION GROUP TO ORGANIZE PROTEST THIS AFTERNOON NEAR RAZORBACK STADIUM

ACCUSATIONS ON INSTAGRAM LEAD TO ARKANSAS QUARTERBACK'S DISMISSAL

TOO MANY QUESTIONS HANG OVER RAZORBACKS TO PROJECT HOW THINGS MAY GO IN FALL

DO HOGS HAVE THE EDGE NEEDED TO MAKE A BIG POSTSEASON RUN?

ARKANSAS BASEBALL SCHEDULE

FAYETTEVILLE WEATHER UPDATE

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Andy Hodges
ANDY HODGES

Sports columnist, writer, former radio host and television host who has been expressing an opinion on sports in the media for over four decades. He has been at numerous media stops in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.