Ask Mike: Bogus Baseball Poll, Tennessee Boots It’s High dollar QB While Petrino Praises His QB
on 2025-04-14 21:34 PM
Q. Our first question is from WVHogFan who asks: Why are there so many hit batsmen in college baseball? One came back to haunt us yesterday.
A. Okay, you’re referring to Arkansas reliever Aiden Jimenez who was one out away from giving Arkansas a 6-5 win over Georgia and the series. He was facing Ryland Zaborowski in the bottom of the 11th who was 0-4 on the day with three K’s. On the first pitch he hit Zaborowski who was replaced by a designated runner who scored from first on a double, tying the game. Georgia went on to win it on a walk off home run in the 12th.
I’m guessing here but I think he was trying to come in tight on Zabrowski. The pitch got away from Jimenez just enough to plunk Zabrowski. Stuff like that happens. I’m not aware that there’s an unusual number of hit batters in college baseball. It happens at all levels. The frustrating part is when you need just one out to win and you’re facing a batter that’s struggling at the plate and you walk him or hit him. That happens a lot and it’s just baseball.
Q. eddylynn says: You’ve mentioned Van Horn’s stubborn streak when managing pitchers. It’s hard for me to believe he can’t see that Gaeckle needs to be moved back to the bullpen. He cost them the Saturday game at Georgia.
A. He went just two innings and left Arkansas in a 5-1 hole. He gave up 6 hits including a two-run home run. His ERA is up to 6.68 which is completely unacceptable for a weekend starting pitcher. In his post game presser DVH seemed to indicate that he will make some changes in this weekend rotation for the coming A&M series.
Q. Popular Porkster says: The Baseball America poll stinks. We lose two one-run games AT Georgia after blowing them out on Friday and we drop to #4 behind them and Tennessee. We have a better record than both. Ridiculous.
A. You’re right. Arkansas is one game behind Texas in the SEC standings. One game ahead of Tennessee. Two games in front of Georgia.
It’s a bogus poll. But look, we are halfway through the conference race. Trailing by a game is nothing but if past seasons have taught us anything it’s that conference titles mean nothing once you get to post season play. It’s all about getting to Omaha and winning the whole thing when you get there.
Arkansas has the bats to win it all. Matt Hobbs and Van Horn are going to have to made some changes to get the starting pitching where it needs be.
Q. CajunHog asks: Is it too late for the Ags to win the SEC in baseball? If so they can still do a lot of damage to teams left on their schedule, like the Hogs.
A. A&M is 6-9 in SEC play. They’ve won 5 straight SEC games with 15 left to play. If they won all 15 they’d be 21-9. That might win it but Texas could go 9-6 and still beat that. Arkansas could top it by going 10-5. So no, the Aggies are not likely going to win the SEC but look who they still have left. Arkansas this week. Texas next week. LSU after that, Missouri and finally Georgia. Arkansas, Texas, LSU & Georgia are all still in the hunt for the SEC title so yes, A&M could end up having a lot to say about who wins the conference title.
Q. Hawgredneck wants to know: What are your thoughts on Saturday’s football scrimmage? What needs to improve in the Red-White game coming up this Saturday?
A. Taylen Green did not throw a TD pass but he ran for one. He completed over 65% of his passes which is okay. He had an interception which is not good but he was going up against the one defense and Xavian Sorey came up with it. Green rushed for 50 yards.
I liked what KJ Jackson did. He threw a couple of TD passes. The kid is just smart. Doesn’t make many mistakes and he’s a decent runner when he has to make something happen. He won’t go 60 on you like Green but he can get first downs on the ground.
In the running game I’m not sure what happened but Braylon Russell had 4 carries for only 8 yards. This after a Bobby Petrino press conference where he said glowing things about Russell.
The good news on the ground is that Rodney Hill picked up where he left off in the Liberty Bowl. He had 5 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns. New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington got most of the work with 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. Petrino is very high on him because he’s a bigger back like Russell at 6-2 235. He also likes Hill but says he has to stay healthy because he’s a smaller back at 5-10 and 195. Arkansas had almost 300 yards rushing in the scrimmage.
I don’t expect to see much out of the Red White game. It’s not televised and the media is not allowed to shoot video of it. Fans at the game can record it on their cell phones. Because of the transfer portal window coming up coaches at many school are suspicions of other coaches eyeballing some of their better players especially after what happened at Tennessee. Well see but we could have a game scripted for success where the one offense goes up against the two defense and the one defense goes up against the two offense. Then the coaches would turn it over to the development players for the second half. We’ll see.
Q. Whippersnapper asks: What are your take aways of Bobby Petrino’s spring interview.
A. He raved about Talen Green and the difference it’s going to make to have a starting quarterback who knows the offense and knows what to expect from opposing SEC defenses. He was very open about the fact that he’s never faced the kind of turnover Arkansas has undergone at almost every other position.
There are a boatload of new receivers. They have to pair the field down and come up with two or three go-to guys that Green feels comfortable throwing to.
The offensive line has undergone major changes and it looks like for the better. But how that offensive front develops will be everything to this team chances for success. They have some promising new tight ends. We’ve already mentioned the running backs.
This spring is all about evaluating what they have so they can start refining things come August.
Q. lil’pigman says: Good for Tennessee. It’s about time somebody stood up against these overpriced players and the parents and agents. I predict this kid’s gonna be a bust in college and pro ball.
There’s been widespread praise for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel who basically told Nico (E-AH-MOLLY-AH-VH) Iamaleava to take a hike after he refused to play in the spring game unless the school doubled his NIL to $4 million. However don’t Heupel on the back too much. Tennessee boosters were among those from three schools that got an injunction against the NCAA over its NIL rule. It’s been tied up in court ever since and that’s why this stuff is happening. Now Tennessee is one of the biggest proponents of revenue sharing which would reign in these outrageous NIL payments to certain players. Isn’t that interesting?
The good thing about this is, if a school like Tennessee which has a long history of trying to buy championships, is raising the white flag, yes college football is in trouble is something if not done.
Q. Lanny asks: Is is fair that Arkansas freshman QB Madden Iamaleava is getting put under a microscope because of what his brother did to Tennessee?
A. Probably not but if something is not done to prevent this portal jumping by next spring how would you like to be Sam Pittman trying to decide if he should take a chance and name Madden the number one QB”. I know what I’d do. I’d go with KJ Jackson.
Q. Our first question is from WVHogFan who asks: Why are there so many hit batsmen in college baseball? One came back to haunt us yesterday.
A. Okay he’s referring to Arkansas reliever Aiden Jimenez who was one out away from giving Arkansas a 6-5 win over Georgia and the series. He was facing Ryland Zaborowski in the bottom of the 11th. He was 0-4 on the day with three K’s. On the first pitch he hit Zaborowski who was replaced by a designated runner who scored from first on a double, tying the game. Georgia went on to win it on a walkoff home run in the 12th.
I’m guessing here but I think he was trying to come in tight on Zabrowski. The pitch got away from Jimenez just enough to plunk Zabrowski. Stuff like that happens. I’m not aware that there’s an unusual number of hit batters in college baseball. It happens at all levels. The frustrating part is when you need just won out to win and you’re facing a batter that’s struggling at the plate and you walk him or hit him. That happens a lot and it’s just baseball.
Q. eddylynn says: You’ve mentioned Van Horn’s stubborn streak when managing pitchers. It’s hard for me to believe he can’t see that Gaeckle needs to be moved back to the bullpen. He cost them the Saturday game at Georgia.
A. He went just two innings and left Arkansas in a 5-1 hole. He gave up 6 hits including a two-run home run. His ERA is up to 6.68 which is completely unacceptable for a weekend starting pitcher. In his post game presser DVH seemed to indicate that he will make some changes in this weekend rotation for the coming A&M series.
Q. The Baseball America poll stinks. We lose two one-run games AT Georgia after blowing them out on Friday and we drop to #4 behind them and Tennessee. We have a better record than both. Ridiculous.
A. You’re right. Arkansas is one game behind Texas in the SEC standings. One game ahead of Tennessee. Two games in front of Georgia.
It’s a loser poll. But look we are halfway through the conference race. Trailing by a game is nothing but if past seasons have taught us anything its that conference titles mean nothing once you get to post season play. It’s all about getting to Omaha and winning the whole thing when you get there.
Arkansas has the bats to win it all. Matt Hobbs and Van Horn are going to have to made some changes to get the starting pitching where it needs be.
Q. CajunHog asks: Is it too late for the Ags to win the SEC in baseball? If so they can still do a lot of damage to teams left on their schedule, like the Hogs.
A. A&M is 6-9 in SEC play. They’ve won 5 straight SEC games with 15 left to play. If they won all 15 they’d be 21-9. That might win it but Texas could go 9-6 and still beat that. Arkansas could top it by going 10-5. So no the Aggies are not likely going to win the SEC but look who they still have left. Arkansas this week. Texas next week. LSU after that, Missouri and finally Georgia. Arkansas, Texas, LSU & Georgia are all still in the hunt for the SEC title so yes, A&M could end up having a lot to say about who wins the conference title.
Q. Hawgredneck wants to know: What are your thoughts on Saturday’s football scrimmage? What needs to improve in the Red-White game coming up this Saturday?
A. Taylen Green did not throw a TD pass but he ran for one. He completed over 65% of his passes which is okay. He had an interception which is not good but he was going up against the one defense and Xavian Sorey came up with it. Green rushed for 50 yards.
I liked what KJ Jackson did. He threw a couple of TD passes. The kid is just smart. Doesn’t make many mistakes and he’s a decent runner when he has to make something happen. He won’t go 60 on you like Green but he can get first downs on the ground.
In the running game I’m not sure what happened but Braylon Russell had 4 carries for only 8 yards. This after a Bobby Petrino press conference where he said glowing things about Russell.
The good news on the ground is that Rodney Hill picked up where he left off in the Liberty Bowl. He had 5 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns. New Mexico State transfer Mike Washington got most of the work with 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. Petrino is very high on him because he’s a bigger back like Russell at 6-2 235. He also likes Hill but says he has to stay healthy because he’s a smaller back at 5-10 and 195. I think Arkansas had almost 300 yards rushing in the scrimmage.
I don’t expect to see much out of the Red White game because of that portal window coming up. Coaches are scared of other coaches eyeballing some of their better players especially after what happened at Tennessee. Well see but we could have a, brief scripted for success, period where the one offense goes up agains the two defense and the one defense going up against the two offense. Then the coaches turn it over to the development players for the second half. We’ll see.
Q. Whippersnapper asks: What are your take aways of Bobby Petrino’s spring interview.
A. He raved about Talen Green and the difference its going to make to have a starting quarterback who knows the offense and knows what to expect from opposing SEC defenses. He was very open about the fact that he’s never faced the kind of turnover Arkansas has undergone at almost every other position.
There are a boatload of new receivers. They have to pair the field down and come up with two or three go-to guys that Green feels comfortable throwing to.
The offensive line has undergone major changes and it looks like for the better. But how that offensive front develops will be everything to this team chances for success. They have some promising new tight ends. We’ve already mentioned the running backs.
This spring is all about evaluating what they have so they can start refining things come August.
Q. lil’pigman says: Good for Tennessee. It’s about time somebody stood up against these overpriced players and the parents and agents. I predict this kid’s gonna be a bust in college and pro ball.
There’s been widspread praise for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel who basically told Nico (E-AH-MOLLY-AH-VH) Iamaleava to take a hike afer he refused to play in the spring game unless the school doubled his NIL to $4 million. However don’t pat him on the back too much. Tennessee bosters were among those from three schools that got an injunction against the NCAA over its NIL rule. It’s been tied up in court ever since and that’s why this stuff is happening. Now Tennessee is one of the biggest proponents of revenue sharing would would reign in these outragious NIL payments to certain players. Isn’t that interesting?
The good thing about this is, if a school like Tennessee which has a long history of trying to buy championships, is raising the white flag, yes college football in particular is in trouble if something is not done.
Q. Lanny asks: Is is fair that Arkansas freshman QB Madden Iamaleava is getting put under a microscope because of what his brother did to Tennessee?
A. Probably not but if something is not done to prevent this postal jumping by next spring how would you like to be Sam Pittman trying to decide if he should take a chance and name Madden the number one QB. I know what I’d do. I’d go with K.J. Jackson.
Q. Marty Byrdes’ proxy says: Big shakeup at Tennessee. Is this another trend that may develop in this ever evolving saga called NIL.
A. I think not because there’s been such a negative reaction to this all over the country I think the fans are finally saying enough is enough. Get these parents and agents out of the equation. Let’s get some contracts going under revenue sharing. Reduce the transfer portal to once a year during the high school recruiting period.
It’s good that this happened when congress is considering the revenue shading model. Hopefully they will do something soon.
Q. Hoggystyle78 wants to know: Is keeping up passing grades even a thing anymore? Can’t remember the last time I heard of a player being academically ineligible. Hearing some players from Colorado took all of their classes online and never went to campus.
A. Academic progress has not changed. Players are allowed to take online classes because of all travel they have to go through. It’s up to each school’s academic administration and the various online instructors to make sure athletes pass each course honestly.
Q. Hotdogger says: I think the nervousness over Calipari ‘s recruiting is a little unwarranted. To me waiting to see what shakes out after the NCAA Championship may give him a shot at better players out of the portal.
A. Courtney has been one of the biggest proponents of what you’re saying. Basically taking the position that Ca”s way to deal with the portal is very different from a lot of coaches and when his plan finally is announced the fans will be very happy.
Q. KyHog says: You told us last week to hold our horses on Cal’s recruiting but if there was no news by this week maybe we could get concerned. Well it’s Sunday night and I’m still waiting. Do we have Ewin and Pringle or not? What about a scoring guard to replace Nelly? Is Ament going to Duke, Louisville or Arkansas? Is Wagner leaving? Tell us something.
A. Supposedly but Ewin and Pringle either have already been on campus or are here right now. If so we should heard something at anytime. Still it’s frustrating and yes, last Monday I felt like we’d know a lot more today that we know. Wagner’s status is still not clear. Ament still hasn’t picked a school as of Monday afternoon.
Q. Tophawg19 wants to know: What is your opinion of WBB coach Kelsi Musick so far? Seems like an energetic coach who should fit in on the Hill. Please Courtney, don’t beat Mike up this week. lol.
A. What’s she’s done so far is predicatble. She had a decent ORU team last season that came in and beat Arkansas. She has signed three of those players.
Q. Marty Byrdes’ proxy says: Big shakeup at Tennessee. Is this another trend that may develop in this ever evolving saga called NIL?
A. I think not because there’s been such a negative reaction to this all over the country I think the fans are finally saying enough is enough. Get these parents and agents out of the equation. Let’s get some contracts going under revenue sharing. Reduce the transfer portal to once a year during the high school recruiting period.
It’s good that this happened when congress is considering the revenue shading model. Hopefully they will do something soon.
Q. Hoggystyle78 wants to know: Is keeping up passing grades even a thing anymore? Can’t remember the last time I heard of a player being academically ineligible. Hearing some players from Colorado took all of their classes online and never went to campus.
A. Academic progress has not changed. Players are allowed to take online classes because of all travel they have to go through.
Q. Hotdogger says: I think the nervousness over Calipari ‘s recruiting is a little unwarranted. To me waiting to see what shakes out after the NCAA Championship may give him a shot at better players out of the portal.
A. Courtney has been one of the biggest proponents of what you’re saying. Basically taking the position that Ca’s way to dealing with the portal is very different form a lot of coaches and when his play finally becomes public the fans will be very happy.
Q. KyHog says: You told us last week to hold our horses on Cal’s recruiting but if there was no news by this week maybe we could get concerned. Well it’s Sunday night and I’m still waiting. Do we have Ewin and Pringle or not?….
….What about a scoring guard to replace Nelly? Is Ament going to Duke, Louisville or Arkansas? Is Wagner leaving? Tell us something.
A. Supposedly but Ewen and Pringle either have already been on campus or are here right now. If so we should heard something at anytime.
Still it’s frustrating and yes, last Monday I felt like we’d know a lot more today that we know. Wagner’s status is still not clear. Ament still hasn’t picked a school as of Monday afternoon.
Q. Tophawg19 wants to know: What is your opinion of WBB coach Kelsi Musick so far? Seems like an energetic coach who should fit in on the Hill. Please Courtney, don’t beat Mike up this week. lol.
A. What’s she’s done in recruiting so far was expected. She had a good ORU team last season that came in and beat Arkansas. She has signed two of those players along with former Razorback great Lee Mayberry’s daughter, Wyvette Mayberry, a transfer guard from Kansas.
(Last updated: 2025-04-14 21:34 PM)