Hog Feed: Musselman Breaks Silence
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With transfer portal season coming a little early this year and Arkansas sports feeling like it's entering its summer cycle despite it being mid-March, it's time to bring back a fan favorite for covering the time between Arkansas basketball and the beginning of football season. Welcome, once again, to the Hog Feed.
In today's Hog Feed, Arkansas fans finally hear something from Eric Musselman while Louisville seems to be seeping its way into all corners of Arkansas basketball. We catch up with a few Pro Hogs and watch as women's basketball dismantles itself.
Also, Dave Van Horn becomes the greatest wingman with the ladies Nolan Souza could ever ask for, there's a new Razorback shirt just in time for Easter and, of course, the transfer portal exists..
Breaking Silence
The social media for Eric Musselman has been dead quiet for a while now despite his love for promoting his former Arkansas players in the NBA and some of the performances they have put up lately. However, Tuesday morning he took time to make sure everyone knew about Stanley Umude's start in Detroit while bringing back #ProHogs. This immediately raised speculation with fans as to whether this means he is coming back.
Road from Hawaii to Arkansas
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn did a video interview with Perfect Game where the topic was how the Razorbacks managed to land a pair of Hawaiians on the roster. It's a good listen, but even better for Nolan Souza. If I'm him, I'm making sure my wing man has a copy of how Van Horn describes him physically and make sure he shows it to any girl in which he may have interest because his coach did him a lot of favors.
Transfer Portal: Day 1
The first round of contacts went out in the transfer portal from the Razorbacks. There were several, but it wasn't the breakneck pacing traditionally seen by Musselman in years past.
Louisville is Everywhere
Everyone knows the NIT is notorious for setting up match-ups that have a little spice to them. That's how Nolan Richardson ended up facing Arkansas State early in his tenure coaching the Razorbacks in lieu of Frank Broyles' policy to never play them.
It seems the Managers Games, which is unfamiliar to a good 90% of America at best, is following the NIT blueprint of stirring the pot as Arkansas takes on Louisville in the opening round of the Midwest Region. Everyone knows Eric Musselman's name has been thrown about for the Louisville job, so this is one tactic that was guaranteed to get eyeballs on something they wouldn't have seen otherwise.
Is Arkansas the Job?
A radio host out of Louisville made the claim Eric Musselman would be taking the better job if he ended up coaching the Cardinals. Obviously, he has to say that as part of the ESPN affiliate there, but just how do the jobs stack up against one another?
Top of the Food Chain
Last week there was still a little doubt as to whether Arkansas is the No. 1 baseball team in the land. Not so much this week. All polls now feature the Razorbacks receiving top billing.
Perfect Timing
You got to give it to this marketing team. They dropped this Shemar Easter t-shirt just in time to coincide with the Easter holidays. Any Arkansas fan trying to find an Easter basket online will definitely have this pop up in their feed courtesy of the algorithm.
The real question is how well this shirt sells down in Ashdown. How strong with Panthers fans support one of their own heading into the Easter holiday
Burning it Down
Mike Neighbors put together a strong, talented roster to take on the SEC this season. However, Jersey Wolfenbarger left back in November and Taliah Scott and Saylor Poffenberger announced yesterday they are leaving via transfer portal. With no NCAA Tournament success and now this, it's going to be hard for Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek to keep head coach Mike Neighbors on the payroll another year.
Walsh Talks Adjusting to G League
Former Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh is doing what he can to make the most of his time in the G League as he attempts to climb his way back into the NBA. He also wants to inspire confidence in those who face some of the challenges in life he's had to overcome.
Long Gone
Former Arkansas Razorback Christian Franklin goes deep for the Chicago Cubs.