When the post-game quote sheet was delivered, John Pelphrey's line about going back to Kentucky was outlandish in unfettered black and white.

"I didn't even notice they were up next," said the Arkansas coach.

No way, not with Pelphrey growing up Blue and Blue; not with his jersey hanging from the Rupp Arena rafters. If it was somehow true, Pelphrey's tunnel vision would be on par with that of Tiger Woods - a compliment that golfer Pelphrey would surely appreciate.

Turns out that Pelphrey was being facetious when he made the remark. On paper, there is no room for a playful grin to explain the quote.

In the run-up to today's game, Pelphrey's return to Kentucky has overshadowed the game..........[more]

On Saturday, former Kentucky Wildcat turned boss Hog John Pelphrey will bring his Arkansas Razorbacks into Rupp Arena to go against his college alma mater as a head coach for the first time.

That prospect leaves the hometown where a lanky, redheaded boy grew into a high school star and then a statewide basketball hero facing a vexing quandary.

Root for hometown hero or home state U.?.........[more]

Lost amidst the other story lines — mainly John Pelphrey’s return to Kentucky — is one juicy element of Arkansas’ 1 p.m. game today at Kentucky. Don’t forget, Pelphrey only became the Razorbacks’ basketball coach after a handful of others declined and after Creighton coach Dana Altman stayed for just 24 hours.

The first man who got a crack at the job? Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, a fact that surely won’t be forgotten anytime soon by Arkansas fans. Through a friend, Gillispie had made his interest in the Arkansas job well-known to someone close to former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles. This was long before Stan Heath was even fired..........[more]

Dallas Keuchel wants to be a starting pitcher. After Friday, he might get his wish.

Left out of the weekend pitching rotation as Arkansas opened up its 2008 baseball season against Wright State in front of 681 brave fans at Baum Stadium, Keuchel made quite a statement in the Razorbacks' 9-4 win against the Raiders.

Pitching out of the bullpen, the sophomore lefthander relieved a struggling James Mahler in the second inning and worked 5 1/3 innings of near-perfect ball. With his fastball finding the corners and his changeup keeping the Wright State hitters off guard, Keuchel gave up no hits, struck out a career-best six batters and was the main reason Arkansas was able to rally from an early, 4-0 hole..........[more]

INDIANAPOLIS — Darren McFadden’s reputation preceded him at the NFL Scouting Combine.

As the Little Rock native and two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up running back at Arkansas made his way down the long corridor from the RCA Dome to the interview area Friday, grown men stopped to stare, autograph seekers alerted like Pointers, and media members hopped up from their laptops or hustled into the room exclaiming, “There’s McFadden.” Even veteran NFL running back Jamal Lewis, on hand to discuss his new contract with the Browns, stood against the wall and checked out the soon-to-be NFL rookie making his way into the media horde..........[more]

The competition that “never” happened at Arkansas — Darren McFadden vs. Felix Jones in a head-to-head 40-yard dash — won’t take place at the NFL Scouting Combine either.

Both former Razorbacks, who are each projected as first-round draft picks, said Friday they would run the timed 40 for NFL personnel Sunday. They just won’t be running at the same time, though they are in the same workout group.

“No, we never raced,” Jones said.

Who would win if they did ?

“Aw man, you know I’m going to say me,” Jones said. “That’s just the competitor that I am.” McFadden wasn’t asked Friday who was faster, but he confirmed for the first time his intention of running the 40 in Indianapolis..........[more]

Andy Wilkins said he could probably come up with a better opening day scenario, but it’s hard for a freshman to top a debut like this.

A clutch, two-out home run that put his team ahead for good and a 9-4 victory for Arkansas is more than respectable. Wilkins and fellow newcomer Chase Leavitt helped the Razorbacks respond Friday from a 4-0 deficit against Wright State with five two-out RBI.

The Razorbacks ’ coaching staff had to sweat out Wilkins’ arrival in Fayetteville after he was drafted last June in the 25 th round by the Texas Rangers..........[more]

In case the final score wasn’t a strong enough indication of how far the gap in experience and depth is between Arkansas and LSU this season, there was another more subtle signal.

The Razorbacks presented so many matchup problems for the Tigers that point guard Garrett Temple spent his night guarding four different opponents in his 40-minute grind. The 6-foot-5 Temple took turns checking point Gary Ervin, swingman Sonny Weems, combo guard Patrick Beverly and backup lead guard Stefan Welsh..........[more]

Let the pitching auditions begin.

Arkansas will start two freshmen and a junior coming off elbow surgery when the Razorbacks open the season this weekend with a three-game series against Wright State at Baum Stadium.

Freshman James Mahler will start for Arkansas against freshman Michael Woytek in today's season opener at 3: 05 p.m.

Shaun Seibert will start Saturday and freshman Kendall Korbal on Sunday for the Razorbacks, who must replace their top three pitchers from last year's team that finished 43-21 and won its second SEC West championship in four years..........[more]

"A lot of times it's about momentum,"said Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn, who has taken three teams - two at Nebraska and the 2004 Razorbacks - to the College World Series in a four-year span. "Getting to Omaha is extremely hard. You have to be lucky and hot at the right time..........[more]