[00:00:00] Speaker A: You're listening to the Whole Hog sports podcast. And now here's your host, Matt Jones.
[00:00:06] Speaker B: Happy Wednesday everyone. This is Ethan Westerman filling in as host today. Happy to be joined by Anthony Christensen over a video call. Anthony, glad to have you. We're going to talk some off season basketball today, but first of all, we've had a little bit of time to I guess let this past season, you know, we've had some, some time in between that, that loss to Arizona. What are kind of like, you know, your closing thoughts on the 2025, 2026 razorb.
[00:00:32] Speaker A: Yeah, no, I thought it was, you know, I thought it was a, you know, a good season. I thought, you know, obviously, you know, it ends in the same spot that it ended last season. But you know, they, I, I thought their regular season was markedly better than it was last year.
You know, I think that the program is in a stronger position than it was obviously a year ago, which is natural, right? I mean, obviously you get more time in a place, things, you know, go some more smoothly.
But yeah, no, I thought it was, I thought it was a good season. Obviously. You know, Darius Acuff is a finalist for both the major national player of the year awards. You know, was a consensus first team all American. You get all, all of that.
And yeah, there's, there's, I think there's a lot of, of good stuff that happened for Arkansas this season. Obviously there are, you know, areas in which I'm sure they're going to be looking to improve, which I'm sure we'll get into. But you know, you know, I think overall I thought it was a pretty, pretty good season with some, with some holes. Obviously, you know, they, they struggled against bigger physical teams and you know, I, that's obviously a big reason why that Arizona game was pretty non competitive for a lot of it, but you know, a really elite offensive team. And I think one that was, I mean it was a lot of fun to, to watch and to cover from, you know, obviously our neutral perspective.
But yeah, a fun one that I think was, I thought it was a step upon, you know, the, you know, last season.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: Well, before we get into talking about off season basketball stuff, when I tell you about our friends at Bentonville Glass. Serving its community since 1971, Bentonville Glass is committed, professional and versatile. Looking for a quality leader in northwest Arkansas. Looking for skilled craftsmanship. Choose Bentonville Glass for all your glass market needs with the highest quality products. You can come by and see them today at 507 South Main in Bentonville. Or online at bentonvilleglass.com also want to tell you about our friends at Eglins Best. When it comes to game day, you want the best in your lineup, and that includes your eggs. Eglins Best delivers more of the nutrition you need with six times more vitamin D and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. Score now with Eglins Best. Better taste, better nutrition, better eggs. You can get More
[email protected] Anthony it's always, you know, the next natural, you know, line of thought is what's next for Arkansas basketball with the roster, with putting things together.
We'll get into. I know you've done a little bit of research of maybe some of the big names in the portal or I know they aren't in there officially yet, but the portal, let's be real, it's always open as far as, like, players announcing their intentions and stuff.
And so we'll get into that a little bit. But I think it's good to start naturally with, you know, the returners or potential ones.
And I'll start with Malik, you. And real quick, first, because he posted something on Twitter last night that was like, stay tuned for an announcement coming soon. And he dropped his Instagram.
Yeah.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: And I was refreshing his Instagram all night at the baseball game, and he didn't post anything.
[00:03:33] Speaker B: Are we still waiting? Is. It's April Fool's Day, first of all. So maybe they got jokes.
[00:03:40] Speaker A: But.
[00:03:40] Speaker B: But I think we're still waiting, aren't we?
[00:03:42] Speaker A: We are still waiting.
Yes, we are still waiting for. For Malik Ewan's, I guess, announcement.
And I guess, yeah, today is April. April Fool's Day, kind of. I saw this in a tweet today, this morning. Like, April Fool's Day loses some of its fun in a misinformation epidemic. But, yeah, shouts to. I think it was G Fed who tweeted that.
[00:04:03] Speaker B: So.
[00:04:03] Speaker A: Shouts. But, yeah, no, but wait, I'm not. I'm not applying. Implying that Malik Ewan is spreading misinformation. I'm sure he's going to announce something
[00:04:14] Speaker B: whenever you drop the tweet. I'm just saying it's. Yeah, whenever you drop the tweet like that, it sends the message to the rest of us like, oh, this is within the next hour or so. Like, be ready. And the fact that we're still waiting, which.
[00:04:27] Speaker A: Actually, let's check it real quick.
Little. Little live on the show.
[00:04:34] Speaker B: Malik, you an Instagram check. What's happening?
[00:04:38] Speaker A: Nothing. Nothing.
[00:04:39] Speaker B: Okay, well, so we're still waiting. Well, since we're still waiting on him and he's the one that's teased us a little bit, we'll start with him. As far as just going through kind of. I'm not going to get into, you know, your Amir Browns on the roster for sake of, you know, we want to keep this somewhat short on the show. I don't want to get into all the guys on the roster, but we'll talk about the impact guys and we'll start with Malik. You and, and. And love Amir Brown. This is not. That's not supposed to be a roast. I'm just saying. I think that we.
We don't really want to get in the weeds on if Aiden Kelly and Amir Brown are running it back, but I think Malik Ewan, Billy Richmond, Malik Thomas, D.J. wagner, some of these bigger names, everybody's very intrigued to know what they're gonna do. So I want to clarify, I guess, that with this, it's all kind of just speculative as far as, like, what makes sense. This isn't any sort of, like, official, like, like we've been told this person's coming back. I just want to get your thoughts on how you feel like the situations might play out just based on, you know, what makes sense. And I guess we'll start with Malik. You in of what you think might be best for him in his future.
[00:05:42] Speaker A: Yeah, I think, you know, obviously, if he's. If he's going to be allowed back, you know, obviously he's. He's played.
He's played out. I think he's played five years of college basketball, but one was a.
A juco year, so. And we've seen that year being granted to. To athletes again at the Division 1 level.
So, you know, he. He probably has that. That extra year of eligibility still.
And yeah, I think that he would. He would fit in. Obviously, he would be a big offensive piece for what they would want to do, you know, if they want to get, you know, a new big guy out of the portal, which I think is probably an area of need for them. You know, I think that you could probably shift him over to the four. And I think that would. I think that would benefit him, you know, on the defensive end and on the offensive end, because then he doesn't have to rely so much on. On paint touches and everything like that.
And playing back to the basket when I think he. I think he's at his best when he's going to the basket as opposed to, you know, when his back is to the basket. And I think. I think you know, I don't know if that's a popular opinion or not, but that's just my thought. But, yeah, I think if he. I think if he were to, you know, return, I. I think it would be good for. For. For all parties.
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Yeah. And he's someone. I think that it's become more interesting what he's going to do just based on the last, you know, few weeks of his season, how he really. It almost felt Trevor Brazilesque from the year before, how Trevin Brazile put together his best performances, you know, SEC Tournament, NCAA Tournament. Into the regular season, Malik Ewan kind of followed the same path. You think about what he did against Hawaii, against High Point, Like, I mean, he just had some of these big games in the NCAA Tournament and the SEC Tournament and in the SEC tournament. Yeah. So I guess for him, I think that he's an intriguing one, just based off that recency, bias of production and the progression that he did make last year.
[00:07:31] Speaker A: Yeah, no, for sure. And I thought you, you know, near the end of the season, I really thought that you would. You had seen him really kind of, you know, find a good space or good spot in the. In, I guess, the. The role he was playing. You know, I thought his offensive. I thought his offensive output was, you know, really, really good. Just kind of down the stretch of the season, you know, not starting with the game at Missouri, but that was the one that. That kind of really stood out.
But, yeah, I mean, his. His production both, you know, on, you know, in scoring and on the glass as well. I think he had three double doubles in the final five games of the season, if I'm not mistaken. I don't. I don't have the stats right in front of me, so I apologize if that's not entirely accurate, but it was something like that.
But, yeah, I think that. I think you. I think you made a very good point with just how he finished the season and how much that would, you know, potentially carry on into next year if everything goes the way that, you know, he and Arkansas would plan it if he were to. If he were to return. So. Yeah. Yeah, I agree with that.
[00:08:33] Speaker B: Yeah. And you were right. It was three of the last five with the. With double doubles, had the Ole Miss game, and then the two first and second round NCAA tournament games against Hawaii and High Point. And then if you want to, you know, even extend it a little bit further, he almost had four in the last. I think that seven, because at Mizzou he was just one rebound shy, but he scored 17 points that game, which was his most kind of on that last little stretch of the season.
Yeah, he's, he's a player who, I think that would really benefit from another year in the system just seeing how he was starting to hit his stride. And it's an adjustment like to any new coaching staff and system. And it kind of felt like for him, maybe, at least from, from my perspective, it seemed like maybe it was just that adjustment period to get a little bit more used to, to Calipari and kind of what was expected from him.
We'll move on to. I think the one that everybody, like this is when everybody's going to be curious about is Malik Thomas. He's the, I think probably the biggest wild card.
[00:09:28] Speaker A: Yeah, no, for sure. And you know, I mean, I think it wouldn't be a question pretty much any other year, you know, but this year's, this year's draft class is so deep and so strong at the top that it becomes a question.
And you know, I would be pretty surprised if he didn't go through the process at the very least, you know, get that feedback and see where he grades out as, as a prospect, you know.
So, yeah, I, I, I, I wonder, you know, and, and even if he doesn't get a first round grade, does he want to return to college? You know, there's, there's that question.
Yeah, he's, he's a really interesting one just because of how deep this draft class is and especially the, the quality at the top. You know, he's kind of, he's kind of, I don't want to say fallen or, or slips or anything because that, those words don't feel accurate, but he's just kind of, you know, kind of hovering as a late first, early second round prospect as, as things stand. And obviously that can change as, as the, as the draft process goes. I mean, for example, like Cedric Coward last year was viewed in the same light. He was actually committed to Duke out of the transfer portal and then he turned out to be a lottery pick. So this can change. Everything is very fluid and I'm not saying that is what's going to happen, but it could happen.
So you get, you get all of that, you know, the factors, you know, what does he want to do? What's the best for him and you know, know, you know, all, all of that. So it's, it's, I don't, I don't know what's going to happen.
It's, it's kind of difficult to, to give a, a prediction on what's going to happen because there's a lot of different variables at play and we don't, you know, the draft process hasn't even started yet. And yes, I think that's probably, you know, assuming he does, he goes through that, that's probably going to be the biggest or the biggest factor in this and is just kind of where he grades out and you know, can he get, you know, that a guaranteed first round draft selection I think is probably the biggest thing, biggest thing with him and a potential return or potential departure to the NBA.
[00:11:41] Speaker B: Yeah. And I think that's like certainly going to be the biggest, most ongoing conversation at least we have about Arkansas, you know, going into next season as far as returners go, is Malik Thomas because he's really the one out of the bunch that, you know, realistic returners that draws the most like NBA potential right now. I, I do want to, I guess I didn't mention it from the jump when we're going through these names. I said we're not going to do the walk ons. Also, we're, we're not going to mention Darius Acuff because I think we can both agree that we think he's.
[00:12:12] Speaker A: Yeah, I don't think he's, I don't,
[00:12:14] Speaker B: I don't think holding out hope that you'll see him in an Arkansas uniform again is very wise because he's going to be a very high draft pick. And then obviously Trevin Brazil, he's out of eligibility and so is Nick Prince Kringle. So those, those three we aren't going to have in these conversations just for sake of, you know, what's realistic.
But yeah, Malik Thomas, I think he's the, that's the big domino as far as the guards are concerned because he's. What he did as a freshman. I think I, I said it all season. I think that if it wasn't for just how really good this freshman class was nationally, he would have gotten a lot more attention.
[00:12:48] Speaker A: Yeah, no, for sure. I, I would, I would definitely, you know, agree, agree with that. And yeah, I think that's just the, it's, it's just kind of the, the luck of the draw, I guess. But, you know, I, I still think he had, you know, a really great year and you know, he's, he's still on, you know, draft boards for a reason. Right. So it's, it's just kind of, you know, what's best for him and you know, what is best for his family and everything that connected with that. And you know, I'm intrigued to see how it plays out because like I said, I would imagine he'll at least go through or I, I would guess he would at least go through the draft process and, and see where everything comes out and you know, maybe, maybe he decides to go through with the, with the draft or maybe he decides one more year and maybe maybe potentially boosting his draft stock for, for next year because next year's draft class doesn't look quite as deep as this one.
But yeah, I think he's probably the most intriguing name on the, on the list of, of potential pros or potential returners for sure.
[00:13:53] Speaker B: Let's move to Billy Richmond and what we think his future might consist of kind of what's your gauge on? Like does he need a, does he need to test out pro stuff right now, do you think? Another year of college. I think that we can certainly agree he's adored in Arkansas. So like transfer portal would be an absolute shock. I think for him. It seems like the question is just when do you test out your draft?
[00:14:15] Speaker A: Yeah, I, he's, I would imagine he would be back at Arkansas next year. Obviously I'm not saying that with, with any certainty but you know, he's, he's one that I would be surprised if, if he were to depart.
But you know, I think he, I think it's a credit to him that we were having this conversation. You know, obviously his offensive progression was, was very noticeable this year.
You know, his scoring output increased, you know, his rebounding increased, his, I want to say his assists average increased as well.
You know, he, I thought he, or I thought he improved as a ball handler and, and all of that. Just the, with regard to, you know, his professional stock, you know, it's, it all kind of comes down to, you know, his shooting range and his jump shot which you know, I thought we saw it, you know, definitely improve from where it was last year, but it's not quite probably at the NBA level. You know, he shot 25 from three. You know, he had a more consistent, you know, mid range jumper or better looking mid range jumper. But you know, is that going to get him into the NBA this year?
You know, in a first round grade I'm not so sure especially with how deep this draft class is. And you know, I wouldn't be shocked if he went through the process just to get, you know, the feedback and I guess the grade out of where he would be right now.
So I wouldn't be stunned to see him do that a bit like Carter Knox did last year.
But I would, I would be pretty surprised if, if Billy Richmond wasn't playing for Arkansas next season.
[00:15:49] Speaker B: Natural segue. You mentioned Carter Knox. Obviously his season was cut short this year with his injury. I guess we would have had they made the Final Four. There was maybe a potential world where we saw him again according to John Caliperi's timeline. Carter Knox's timeline, he said we never got to see that because Arkansas did not make it that, that far. But you know, he's an intriguing one, I would think too, because just the season didn't go how you would expect for him just off of, you know, how his first year ended. But also he was kind of dealing with nagging, like even before the season ending injury, he had like nagging stuff, I feel like all year long.
[00:16:24] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Yeah, I know he's, he's one I would, I would expect to be back, you know, after the game. You know, there's, I don't remember who on the beat tweeted the video of him saying that he would like to run it back. So that would kind of imply that he would like to be back, you know, so I would be, I would be surprised if he wasn't playing for Arkansas next season.
You know, obviously we, we saw, you know, at different points of the year that, you know, the, the player, the potential that he has. Obviously he had a great game against Texas Tech, he had a double double against Central Arkansas and you know, he had other moments throughout the season as well where you saw that it was just kind of, it was just kind of a rough go of it with the injuries and you know, maybe some consistency as well.
But yeah, I would be, I would be pretty surprised if he wasn't playing for Arkansas next season. Just to be, just to be frank, just based on, you know, the vibes we got from, from talking to him in the locker room post game and just kind of, you know, the different quotes that he, that he had after that. But yeah, no, I think he's one that, you know, he's not going to go to the NBA this year. I can, I, I can say that pretty confidently. Obviously you never say never and you don't want to end up with egg in your face. But, you know, it doesn't seem like the NBA is a this year timeline for him.
And yeah, I think another year, you know, in college would do a lot for him. You know, you know, being in the weight room and kind of going through workouts and everything and you know, kind of putting to work or putting to, to Practice even more. So the, the, you know, the things, the grades he got from the NBA draft combine and all of that. So you know, I think he would benefit from another year I think he would benefit from another year in, you know, familiar surroundings so he doesn't have to, you know, adjust, you know, a ton. Obviously there's going to be an adjustment coming back from injury, but yeah, I would, I would think that he would, he would be back at Arkansas.
[00:18:15] Speaker B: Okay, a few more that we'll, we'll touch on. D.J. wagner is a really intriguing one. Like, I think this one's really, really, you know, interesting for what's going to happen because it's like what's almost like it feels like what's a best for him. But he, and like what's would being at Arkansas be best for him next year? I think that personally kind of the way the roster shake up, he could be that natural point like true point guard. But I don't know. It's like what do you, what, what do you think is in D.J. wagner's best interest?
[00:18:46] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a good question. I mean, you know, he's, you know, he and Kenny Payne and John Caliperi, I mean their families all go way back. You know, Kenny Payne played with, you know, Milt Wagner, his grandfather at Louisville, obviously his father played for John Calipari and you know, obviously so there's so much connectivity there that you know, those guys are all, you know, going to bat for each other and, and doing all of that and you know, it's, it's a cool story too, right? I mean obviously all of those connections. But you know, what, as for what is, is best for him, you know, I, I, I don't know, you know, I, I, I, you know, I think that's for, for him and you know, his, his family and coaches all to decide that, you know, you know, what is, what is best for him. I could, I, like you said, I could see him kind of being a more on ball guard next season, you know, obviously transfer, incoming transfers, depending, you know. But you know, with him and you know, being a fourth year guy with all the experience that he has being on the ball more, you know, I think would be, would be good and you saw how good you know, Arkansas can be with him on the ball, you know, you know, specifically last season when Boogie Flynn got hurt and you know, he kind of spurred the, the turnaround.
So I think that, you know, I think Arkansas would benefit a lot from, from him coming back especially if they, you know, don't go and you know, get a, you know, big time ball handler out of the portal, which, you know, will they, won't they? I'm not sure.
But I think, I think his experience, I think, you know, everything that he can bring to the team, I think that would be valuable for, for them to have and you know, it's just kind of a, I guess a decision that you know, he and the coaching staff and you know, all the families and everything to kind of need to come to, to, to decide because you know, I'm sure there, there are, you know, opportunities out there that, you know, he could be, you know, not just the primary ball handler for an offense but also the go to offensive, you know, outlet.
So, you know, is that what he wants? I'm not sure. But yeah, I think, I think, I think there's very clear benefits to Arkansas keeping, you know, for, for him to stay at Arkansas and Arkansas keeping him. And you know, I think he's one. I think his, his story is going to be, you know, an interesting one to track in the off season just because of, just because of all of those, all of those factors.
[00:21:12] Speaker B: Yeah. And he's one to me that it's like, I think he's a guy that gets it to the fact that like this year I think a lot of guys would probably get pretty upset about, you know, a freshman comes in and takes a whole lot of your minutes and but like I think he's the type that gets it that Darius AKA like it's not like just some freshman came in. It's one that literally like, I mean first team all American, he's a finalist for these national player of the year honors. So I think that it's one of those things too where DJ Wagner really, I think could be in line to like he was just behind a really like elite. Like I know, I think didn't Sean Miller call him generational?
It's like that's just kind of, I think the cards that were dealt this year, I could see him coming in next year if he's back at Arkansas and, and really running the point guard show. I could just because of the other guards they have seem like more of off ball even like even the ones coming in because isn't Jordan Smith. He's a, he's. He's pretty much like, I know he's listed as a shooting guard. I'm sure he could probably handle the ball some too. But I think that DJ Wagner could be in line for really getting to kind of be that floor general again if he came back.
[00:22:17] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. And I think that's, you know, very possible.
You know, Jordan Smith is, he's, he's awesome, man.
[00:22:24] Speaker B: He's really, really good.
[00:22:25] Speaker A: He's, he's very good. You know, in a freshman class that isn't, you know, quite as deep as this year's freshman class was. I mean, he, Tyron Stokes, Jason Crow, kind of those guys, those guys are kind of ones who really stand out as like, okay, these guys would be, these guys would be guys in any class.
But yeah, I think I, yeah, I, I'm in agreement there. I think, you know, he's, he's got the opportunity to kind of really take the reins, you know, if, if that's what he wants, if that's what Arkansas wants. And yeah, I think, I think that there's, yeah, a lot of potential there for, for that to, to happen. And, you know, I'm intrigued to see, you know, how the offseason shakes out and how the, how the roster is built to see, you know, if that is going to be the case.
[00:23:08] Speaker B: Last player, returner potential, and we'll touch on real quick is Isaiah Sealy. I don't want to spend too long on this so we can get to some other stuff, but I guess, and I'm not also not mentioning Kareem Retail and Paulo Semedo because they didn't play this year. I mean, there's a lot of things that can happen with the roster. But just as far as the guys that we saw on the court this year, I guess the last one that we'll touch on is real quick. Isaiah Seely, just, you know, what you think about him. I mean, clearly a player who. Calipari is high on his future. He mentioned that much before the Arizona game, but it's like, you know, pretty unpolished right now. His game.
[00:23:43] Speaker A: Yeah, no, I mean, but you can, you can see the potential there, right? I mean, you've got the athleticism. You know, he's, he's bouncy, he's a little wiry, he's a little skinny right now, especially, you know, for, for power conference level basketball. But you give him, you know, another year in, you know, the weight room and, and in the environment that he's obviously in now and you know, you can, you can see all of the tools and when you, when he was on the floor, he was, he was getting the ball a lot. You know, he's kind of a ball magnet in, in that sense and obviously there's some of that is, you know, him kind of Being, you know, kind of going into the game at the end with, with some of the other reserves and him being kind of the, the lone guy who was, I guess, kind of on the fringes of the rotation. But, but still like, I think that's, that speaks to, you know, his, his potential, his, the, the trust the team has in him. And we saw that in a couple of games this season, obviously when, when both Carter Knox and DJ Wagner were hurt kind of in the middle of, in the middle of SEC play and Isaiah Sealy had to step into a larger role. I thought he did a really nice job in, in, in those moments.
So you can see the potential there. You can see why, you know, John Calipari has, he's, he's mentioned him a ton throughout the season. Just kind of unprompted, just kind of about how excited he is about, you know, his potential and, and everything that kind of goes into that. And obviously he's also, you know, a hometown kid. Right. I mean he's from Springdale, so he's, he's from what, 20 minutes from Bud Walton Arena. So I'm sure, you know, it's nice for him to be close to home and you know.
Yeah, just having all of the, the perks and benefits that come with, with that. So I, I would, I would imagine he would come back. It seems like Arkansas would want him back, you know, especially like, like we all, like we've mentioned with, with all of the potential he has and I think, I think it was evident whenever you watched him play that, you know, maybe a little unpolished, but you can see that, you know, you polish him a little bit and you're going to get, you know, a good player there.
[00:25:43] Speaker B: Yeah, he's super athletic. That's what stands out to me. Just watching him even like the two line layup or dunking lines, it's like, okay, this guy has some bunnies.
Real quick, before we talk about a little bit of just people who have already announced they're intending to enter the portal, I mentioned a little bit earlier, Jordan Smith. Arkansas has, according to espn, the second ranked high school recruiting class. Coming in with Jordan Smith, they rank him the number two player. They have just Sean Andrews, J.J. andrews from Little Rock Christian. He's a five star part of the class. He had a really good McDonald's All American game. I know, I think he was leading everybody in scoring at halftime and it's like they didn't pass him the ball in the second half. And then Abdou Ture, who's the he's number one player in Connecticut, right?
[00:26:27] Speaker A: I believe so, yes.
[00:26:28] Speaker B: And I, hopefully I, it's too Ray, Right?
[00:26:30] Speaker A: I'll do Toure. Yeah, yeah.
[00:26:32] Speaker B: And so those are the three that make up the high school class that's coming in that's highly rated. That's what you can. I feel like as long as John Calipari is the coach, you can expect that you're going to get some highly rated freshmen coming in.
But if there's anything, I think that this past, you know, the way that they exited this year taught us against Arizona. You do need some of those just veteran, big fan, physical guys, which I know he mentioned. John Calipari mentioned after the game that these freshmen coming in are physical guys that he thinks can hang, you know, with. I know he likes to say 25 year olds. Sometimes he'll say 28, sometimes he'll say 30 year olds. It's like whatever John Caliperi's feeling should be the age. But he said that he feels like these guys are, you know, these freshmen could come in and play against older guys and they're talented enough. But I guess there still is the question of what are they going to do in the portal? Are they going to go get some of those seasoned guys? So I know you've worked on a story where you've kind of just monitored like players who have said they're going to be entering the portal.
I'm just curious, maybe name three or four guys out of that bunch that, that's in that story at our website, whole hog sports.com that intrigue you the most. And I think we can go ahead and probably start with Santo Cereal, right?
[00:27:41] Speaker A: I was going, yeah. I mean, obviously, you know, Santos, Cyril, you know, he's a guy who, you know, he, he was committed to play for, for John Calipari and this staff, or I guess I should say a large part of this staff, you know, at Kentucky before he decided to, to go to Georgia. You know, he's just, I mean, he's, he's a very good rim protector. Right. I mean, he, he finished with eight blocks when Arkansas played against Georgia this year.
[00:28:05] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:05] Speaker A: You know, so he's, he's kind of. Yeah, he's, he, he's what you want, right? You know, he's, he's a good rebounder. You know, he can, he can finish around the basket and, you know, he's a guy who, you know, he can do what you need him to do, especially on the defensive end, you know, in, in the paint and all of that. So he's a guy who, you know, he entered the portal and it's just kind of immediately you draw that connection.
[00:28:30] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:30] Speaker A: You know, whether or not he ends up, you know, going to Arkansas or where he ends up, I guess, obviously remains to be seen. But you know, he's, you know, he's an elite level rim protector. I think, you know, he's a guy who, you know, can score. You know, he's, you know, he's very big, just a big guy and you know, like I said, an elite level rim protector. He's a really good rebounder. You know, he can get into foul trouble at times, but, you know, that's, that's just kind of something that you're gonna, I guess, take with, you know, when you have a guy who's that good on the defensive end and, you know, can finish on the offensive end, I think that's just kind of something they're going to take, you know, if, if, if they end up getting him. So. And obviously that's something that can be worked on as well. Right. So, yeah, I mean, he's, he's, you know, not just for Arkansas. I'm sure he's going to be a guy who's going to be heavily pursued, you know, wherever.
But you know, obviously he has that connection with, with Arkansas's coaching staff. So it's an immediate, you know, easy one to say, like this could happen and you know, maybe it will, maybe it won't. But yeah, he's, he's the, he's the one. From an Arkansas perspective that is the most intriguing, you know, to, to this point.
[00:29:41] Speaker B: Yeah, I think anytime a good big man gets in the portal right now, it's going to be Arkansas. Like fans at least are going to be like, you know, freaking out a little bit. Like, could this be the one? Because it's almost just a given that Arkansas is going to have to get some bigs and what I guess give me three more names. I have to go like too in depth, but just three more names. Maybe a little bit about them of maybe other players that at least from your research, you're like, you know, it wouldn't shock me if Arkansas at least reached out.
[00:30:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I think, you know, one guy I think would be really intriguing, intriguing is Anton Bonk from Charlotte. You know, he's a 7 foot 2 big, who's pretty, you know, athletic, you know, especially for his size. You know, he, he only attempted 28 threes, but he hit 34. So I mean, he can, you know, he can shoot, he's got good range, average 10 and 8, you know, and also a block and a half per game. So, you know, he was a really good rebounder. He was a good rim protector. You know, obviously Charlotte maybe didn't have the season that it would have wanted, but, you know, he was, you know, he was efficient, he was effective. You know, he was, you know, a good shot blocker and, you know, a big time, you know, a guy to look out for on both ends of the floor. And, you know, he was a big time contributor to that Charlotte team. You know, if you're looking at, you know, power conference experienced guys, I mean, Keanu Dawes at Utah, he's a guy who's entered the portal. Bengal Dog isn't, you know, from Colorado. You know, Keanu, Keanu Dawes is six, nine, Bangor Doc is seven foot. You know, both obviously rim protectors, good rebounders, you know, guys who can finish around the rim, you know, all, all of that. So those are, those are guys who, you know, have, have that experience at the power conference level.
I would imagine Andrew McKeever and Paulus Marowskis, both guys from St. Mary's you would think they'll probably just end up following Randy Bennett to Arizona State, but you never know. So worth a mention, you know, both, you know, big guys who, you know, are good rebounders and you know, can finish around the rim and Morawskis especially, you know, he's a guy who, you know, he can shoot as well. He was an 80 plus percent free throw shooter. He can, he's got some range to his shooting. So, you know, you probably kick the, you know, kick the tires on those guys, even though you kind of can assume that they would probably end up at an Arizona State. But yeah, those are, those are probably the bigs that, you know, have announced their intentions center the portal who I'm most intrigued by. And yeah, I know I went, I went over the, the three to four limit.
[00:32:05] Speaker B: No, you're, you're good, you're good. And then I guess as far as guards are concerned, it's. I think Arkansas is looking pretty good at guard, but I mean, there are still a few, couple intriguing ones, I guess if they out of necessity needed to try and get one.
[00:32:18] Speaker A: Yeah, I think you would want to if you're Arkansas or at least if I were making a decision, I would probably want to get, you know, another guy with, with some shooting range for sure. You know, especially if, you know, Malik Thomas does end up staying in, in the draft. You know, I think that it would be you know, important to get a guy with, with some range, you know. So I think that's, I, I would be, I would imagine that they're at least going to be looking at guys like that.
So I think, you know, Jeremiah Wilkinson, also from Georgia is kind of an obvious one to, to look at. You know, 17 points per game, 35, three point shooter, 41 from the field. You know, he's looking for his third school in as many years. You know, he started his career at Cal before going to Georgia, you know, but he's, he's an effective three level scorer and you know, he scored I think it was 20 points against Arkansas this season, if I'm not mistaken.
[00:33:09] Speaker B: So he had some big shots, I remember.
[00:33:11] Speaker A: Yes. Yeah. And then, you know, some of the, I guess more under the radar names. Brett Decker from Liberty, you know, he shot 47% from three, which is kind of crazy. Yeah, or 45 somewhere in that range. 45, 47. And you know, it was on high volume too. He took 222, three points.
[00:33:29] Speaker B: Let's say for comparison. That's about what Darius Sayoff shot from three.
[00:33:32] Speaker A: Yes. So I mean he's a guy, you know, and you know, it wasn't like he was just a three point shooter too. I mean he averaged 16, 16, 17 points per game this year for, you know, a good Liberty team. You know, Liberty got upset in the, in the Conference USA tournament, but it was still a good team that won, you know, 25 plus games if I'm not mistaken.
You know, Finley Biz Jack from Butler, you know, he's a guy who's flirted with the Portal before, flirted with the draft before, but has kind of stayed at Butler. But you know, with Thadmata retiring, maybe, maybe now is the time for him to, to go somewhere else.
And you know, he's you know, 35, three point shooter. So he's, you know, a decent three point shooter. Average 17 points this season. And know, he's obviously playing in the Big east, so he has that power conference experience.
I think maybe the most intriguing.
Well, that's probably not the most, the best word to use but Money Williams from Montana, you know, 20, 20 points per game, almost 50% from the three from the field.
You know, and his, his production has improved each season. You know, he's going to be a senior next year. He spent each of his three years at Montana.
So you know, he's, I guess kind of looking for that shot at the next or the, you know, a higher level, you know, of college basketball and yeah, you know, he's a guy who can fill it up. You know, he's not a great three point shooter, you know, 34% this season, but that was also his career best. So, you know, maybe, maybe that trend continues and he becomes an even better three point shooter. But you could also see especially the Big sky to the SEC would be a big, big jump.
So yeah, I mean that's, that's a concern. Daniel Freitag from, from Buffalo, you know, started his career at Wisconsin but then averaged, I think it was 19 points per game this season. Really good shooter, really good scorer, you know, guy with experience, you know. So yeah, there's, there's a lot of guys, you know, you can, you can look at who you know, can score, can shoot, you know. So yeah, those are, those are just a few of them. I still need to add some names like Tyler Lundblade from Belmont. You know, he, he's, he's a rare exception because he's already in the portal because of the coaching change there at Belmont with Chrissy Alexander going to, to, to Kansas State. You know, he just had an official visit with Tennessee.
So you know, maybe he's just wants to stay in 10 in the state of Tennessee. But you know, he's, you know, a really high level three point shooter and you know, a good guard to have, you know, he was a great, you know, Missouri Valley player of the year this year and you know, so he's, he's one who is going to end up, you know, at a power conference somewhere, whether that's Kansas State, Tennessee, wherever it may be. But you know, he's a high level scorer. So I wouldn't be surprised to see them go and try to grab a guard who, you know, is that, who can shoot, who can score. Because I think that's something that they, they need, you know, especially if, if you know, Malik Thomas ends up staying in the draft or, you know, assuming he goes into the draft, obviously. So, yeah, I think those are, those are some names that I'm at least monitoring. I still need to go in and add some more.
But yeah, that's, that's the, that's the preliminary Anthony Christensen list.
[00:36:42] Speaker B: We'll end on this real quick.
Give me your three, just real quick. Three top off season questions for Arkansas.
[00:36:51] Speaker A: Yeah, I think the, you know, I think number one obviously is, you know, the NBA draft stuff. You know, does Malik Thomas stay? Does he go? You know, you could say the same thing for, for Billy Richmond, obviously, like we mentioned earlier, Darius Acuff. I don't I don't think there's any question that he's going to be staying in the draft, nor do I think there should be. You know, I think he's earned that, you know, with, with how well he played this year.
But the other guys, I think it's a, you know, I think it's a valid question. I think it's a big question, you know, whether or not they, they go and stay and, and all of that. And then number two, I think is, I think it's probably, you know, the, the portal, you know, who stays, who goes, you know, who comes in.
You know, obviously, like we mentioned, they, they kind of need, desperately kind of need front court additions, you know, you know, obviously with Nick Pringle and Trevin Brazil, you know, both exhausting their eligibility, you know, the assumption would be that Malik Ewan comes back, but you know, that's obviously not certain.
So you need front court reinforcements and then, you know, do you add more guys from the back court and, and everything like that. And then I guess number three would be scheduling stuff. Obviously the Michigan State stuff, which, you know, appears to be real, that they're
[00:38:12] Speaker B: going to be playing, let's say, fill in the people real quick what this is.
[00:38:15] Speaker A: Yeah. So instead of a home game against Michigan State this season, it seems like that's going to be a quote unquote neutral site on Thanksgiving in Detroit, which I've never been to Detroit, so I'd be excited for that.
Maybe, maybe I'd get to cross the, across the bridge, go over to Canada for the first time so I could scratch off Canada. I'm a little scratch off map that I've got in my room.
[00:38:36] Speaker B: Well, you're excited though. Fans wanted them in Bud Walton this year.
[00:38:39] Speaker A: Oh no, trust me, I, yeah, I, I fully understand that. I, I am looking at it from a completely selfish point of view. Yeah, but, but I mean, yeah, so I, I think it's going to be interesting to see, you know, who else do they get on the schedule. Obviously, you know, this season they played, you know, however many neutral site games. Texas Tech, Houston, etc, you know, so those are, those are sums to look Duke. Those are some things to look out for, you know, because you know, you know, with John Caliperi that he's going to want to play those games and you know, I'm always intrigued by who the buy game opponents are going to be. Obviously I would, you know, Central Arkansas ended up being good this year, just an overtime period away from the NCAA tournaments. You know, Queens ended up making it to the NCAA tournament. So they're trying to get, you know, teams that are going to A, help they're not, but B, you know, be in that tournament. And yeah, I think and obviously you're going to get your, your, your Jackson states and stuff like that as well. But, you know, I think those are probably my, my, my three, my three questions for the off season.
[00:39:48] Speaker B: Good stuff, Anthony. Well, we'll be buckled up for a lot of this stuff going down over the next, you know, month or the scheduling stuff will go on well beyond that. But good stuff. And you can check Anthony's work@whole hogsports.com he's all over any basketball news that happens. So Anthony, appreciate you taking time to do this and a lot of good stuff today.
[00:40:09] Speaker A: Absolutely. Let's look forward to the Final Four. Thank you very much for having me.
[00:40:13] Speaker B: So we'll be back with another show tomorrow. Until then, you can check out all of our
[email protected] have a great day, everyone.
