Adios

The roller coaster ride this years' Hog team provided is officially over. So, on behalf of Razorback fans please allow me to be the first one to say, WHEW!!!
The North Carolina game is irrelevant because even if the Hogs brought their "A" game, they still would have lost by double digits to that buzz saw. The Tar Heels could do no wrong and Arkansas looked like Davenport running the forty against Darren McFadden.
There has to be a reality show for this senior class, seriously. Below is the Sporsrap casting call.
Gary Irvin on Survivor.
Vincent Hunter would for sure take the cash on Big Brother.
Darian Townes would smooth his way to victory on Dancing with the Stars.
Charles Thomas could replace Bret Michaels on Rock of Love.
Steven Hill would be a shoe in on The Apprentice.
Sorry Sonny, I think the NBA will be calling you so you will not be cast on any of the above mentioned shows. Good luck!
In fairness, this class didn't overachieve but they didn't underachieve either. They just went through the motions and if they won, great. If they didn't do well, they would lace up their shoes and try it again. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost and for better or worse, this class will always be remembered.

Shawn

Duke vs Belmont Highlights...With Puppets

A TV sports reporter finds a loophole around the tight video usage restrictions for NCAA tournament video highlights...by reenacting the game with using dolls and puppets.

Watch first round coverage of the 2008 Men's Basketball Division I Tournament match up between Duke and Belmont.

They Wanted it More Than We Did

Thank goodness our founding fathers didn't say that or we would be talking about a whole other set of issues.
I cringe every time I hear a player use THAT phrase after a lose. Note to all players; please keep THAT comment to yourself. Seriously, the phrase sounds like the Hogs performance against Georgia, lazy and passive. Ouch!
And speaking of their play, the most frustrating part is how it was all right there for the taking. I seriously doubt Arkansas will ever have a chance to play for the SEC Championship again against a sub .500 team. But hey, they wanted it more than Arkansas.
CRINGE!!!
So let's rally the team against the Hoosiers. Which Hog team will show up? Hopefully, the team will inform their hard working blue collar coach before tip off. Because, if the Arkansas players aren't feeling it then at least let the Man know so he can put players in the game who want it more than Indiana.
It is time for the Hogs to want it more.

Impressed with Oaklawn

It was my first time to the track and by the money I invested, I clearly have no idea how to bet on horses. Lanny Beavers gave us tickets to his family's suite and we were sitting beside a horse owner who had two horses competing. Logic tells anyone with an IQ of a horse to ask and follow the owners bets. Ask him, pick his brain! Nope, not me, because after reading my program for five minutes, I became a racing expert.
As for our neighbor, his first horse got blown out of the water (4-1 odds too) so I decided to lay off his other horse.
After another round of tickets hit the cement, the owners’ next horse was set with 10-1 odds. NOT TOUCHING IT, LESSON LEARNED!!
His joy became my pain, he took his ticket to the window, mine hit the pavement...again. By the way, his horse with 10-1 odds won first.
The next race the owner played some action and hit a trifecta, it paid him $875. My ticket hit the pavement...again.
The moral to the story is that if you ever find yourself sitting next to a horse owner who has been attending Oaklawn for 15 years, ask him a question or two. Who knows, you may have fewer tickets hitting the cement.

SIDEBAR: The folks at Oaklawn were terrific. They baked Wally one amazing birthday cake and named the last race after him. The limo ride was a lot of fun and thanks to Dr. Jolly for making it happen.

Shawn

Davensport Runs The 40

Richard Davenport runs his official 40 for the Sports Rap bet. Hilarity ensues...

Click these links for photos & video of the big event!

Download problems? Just watch it on YouTube.

Help Me Understand

Recap, from November to February, central Arkansas was snow exempt. Not a flake, notta! After a dusting earlier this week, I was just told the Little Rock area is under a Winter Storm Warning? Are you kidding me?
This should be interesting; nothing is more joyful yet painful to watch than Arkansans driving in the snow. It is sorta like watching the Hogs on the road, we try but we just can't do it. There is no middle ground for us, I promise you tomorrow will include one of the two scenarios.

1) You will be stuck behind a driver who is so scared that they lean forward over the steering wheel and brake check every two feet.

2)My personal favorite, the good ole boy with a Mossy Oak bumper sticker, passes you like you are sitting still. As he passes you hear "Gimme Three Steps" blasting out of truck as he "YEEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWWWWS" down the highway....let the party begin.

So let's all jump in our cars and go buy some bread. Yep, bread, the mandatory purchase when Ole Man Winter pays a visit.

SIDEBAR:Tonight should be a fun show. Davenport is running the forty and Auburn coach Jeff Lebo will talk about his team.

shawn

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights

Yep, I drank the cool-aid. There, I admit it; I thought the Hogs would knock off Ole Miss in Oxford. This team does have the uncanny ability to screw things up (that ones for you coach).
We can talk about heart, diving after balls, and all the other basketball jargon that has been dissected with this team. It just comes down to sheer talent. It saddens me to say, there is not a lot of high caliber SEC talent on this team. Sure, there are some good players but they all seem to be on the same playing level. Sonny Weems has emerged but if he is stopped, who can pick up the pace?
Today, they are on the bubble and maybe it is where they are supposed to be. Heck, maybe they have overachieved. Think about it, the roster is filled with tall players who have a hard time scoring. The point guards play like a roller coaster and shooting guards who, well, really can't shoot. We have been fooled Hog fans with experience instead of talent. And for this senior class, from a fan's perspective, has been an experience.


DONT FORGET: RICHARD RUNS THE FORTY TOMORROW AT 4!!!! In Little Rock, you can catch the show on AM 920 starting at four and 102.9 at six.


shawn

We All Have Meltdowns

Well, it finally happened. I had my first meltdown with a caller, so I want to thank listener Tim for the pleasure(click on the word meltdown to hear the exchange, fast forward to 7:00 mark of the segment). All opinions are welcomed but going after Wally, when he is not even present, will not be tolerated.
My boss heard it, corrected me and rightfully so, I deserved it. My intent was dead on but my actions were off a bit. My co-host was not there to defend himself and that simply will not happen. Anyway, glad it's over and we will try it again tomorrow.

For the record, I hope Nolan coaches again.

Shawn

New Feature in the Blog

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. This is Producer Russ btw. I have been able to link audio to Clark Kellogg and Ronnie Brewer, so if you missed the interviews you can now hear them. Whenever you see a guest name highlighted or "hyper-linked", click it and you will be able to hear the interview...if not all of it, then the edited version as I see fit to let you hear. The best example I can give of edited is the Clark Kellogg interview. I lopped off the beginning of the segments, because if you actually heard the show then you know it was two segments. So, I cut out the fluff and joined them together so all you get is the meat and potatoes, kinda like Swani likes it. Just give me some time and now you can re-hear the interviews. Thanks for listening.

Monday's Show Recap

Thanks to Clark Kellog for coming on the program,what a class act! During the break he spoke about his family and you could tell it was genuine. He does a great job on CBS and he is ready for the big dance.
The Ronnie Brewer interview was a lot of fun too. The interview was conducted inside the Jazz locker room and it was interesting watching him communicate inside his element. He is really coming on strong, he had sixteen points in a Jazz road win and you could hear the Hog fans cheering for him inside the Forum.
Coach Pelphrey came on tonight and echoed his frustration with his team’s road record. John Payne is helping me down load some audio and I encourage you to listen to his classic quotes.

I also went and listened to Nolan speak today in North Little Rock. He stole the show! His jokes were right on and he kept the audience captive with his basketball stories.
Sure, there is still a faction of fans who want an apology for some of his past remarks. I am sure Nolan would like to hear one too but it is time to put the past behind and move on. Do I think some of his comments were harsh and out of line? Yes. Do I think he was treated fair by John White? No.
This situation my friend is called a "push". Let's move on!
It appears Nolan could emerge as the leading candidate for the ASU job. I hope he is given a shot. Dr. Dean Lee needs a "WOW" factor coach .Nolan brings the name, all ASU has to do is bring the checkbook. Lookout Wolves fan; forty minutes of dry county could be debuting in the Convocation Center soon.

GOOF UP #27
Yep, hard to fathom but we do mess up on the show. Tonight, it was my turn. I said Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan does not like to play rookies. Well, I should have said "start" a lot of rookies. My point is that Ronnie Brewer is getting more minutes this year than last but I implied that few rookies play when it was pointed out Deron Williams led all rookies in minutes. Deron started 47 games his rookie year. Sorry about that guys!! Once again, I should have said Sloan doesn't start rookies early. Thanks to the caller for the correction.

Thanks for stopping by.

This week will be a blast on the show

Gotta tell ya, the show is starting to get there and we should be launching a couple of nice surprises by the end of the month. Thanks to all of you for listening and your support. This is going to be another fun week on the show, below is an outline.

MONDAY: Clark Kellogg- CBS Sports
Ronnie Brewer, Utah Jazz
John Pelphrey

TUESDAY: Mike White- Ole Miss assistant basketball coach.

WED: THE GUEST WE ARE WORKING ON IS HUGE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ONE FOR WEEKS AND IT MAY FINALLY HAPPEN......STAY TUNED

THURSDAY: Recruiting Thursday with Richard Davenport. And let's not forget, Richard is running his forty yard dash. This one is for real, his goal is 5.30. He is trying to improve from his last attempt of 5.95. There are steak dinners on the line so let the fun begin!!!

FRIDAY: The Wally Hall Birthday Bash at Oaklawn Park. We will be broadcasting live at Oaklawn and encourage you to take off work and enjoy the fun. I have a surprise for Wally and will air it on Friday.

Also, DJ Shannon and I are about to wrap up a funny spring football parody. Russ and I have been asked about how to obtain our songs. We are working on a spot with all parodies for your enjoyment. My favorite so far has been the ode to Jimmy Buffet called, Petrinoville.

Thanks again for stopping by and good luck on your walk.


Shawn