Stories by Wally Hall

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs couldn’t stop TCU’s red-hot offense A week ago everything seemed right in the world of college baseball.The Arkansas Razorbacks had gotten knocked out of the SEC Tournament by Texas A&M, 5-4, a team they were 4-0 against on the seas... June 7, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Europe trip was five years in the making At 6:30 a.m., 79 years ago today, 150,000 American, Australian and Canadian soldiers stormed the Normandy beaches with one goal, to give France its freedom back.There were other countries involved in ... June 6, 2023

Normandy trip a somber reminder of sacrifice NORMANDY — This column is not about sports, which seemed like games the day before Memorial Day, which is one of the most visited days of the year for this famous stretch of Europe known for Oma... June 4, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hostile venues: Rating the SEC stadiums When you are going on vacation and you have one more column to write before three weeks off, there’s only one thing to do: Rank the SEC football stadiums based on toughest road game in the leagu... May 14, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: SEC dealing Hogs bad hand with schedule Surely someone in the Southeastern Conference will take a harder look at football schedules when Texas and Oklahoma join the league.Maybe it is since the covid season when Arkansas got stuck playing G... May 11, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Bama betting probe shows risk for athletes Alabama fired its baseball coach Brad Bohannon in late April after allegations he had been involved in wagering on a Crimson Tide baseball game against LSU.A bet was made in Ohio that drew the suspici... May 10, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Mage put on solid performance at Derby There were some really smart bettors Saturday for the Kentucky Derby.Mage, No. 8 in the program, qualified for non-winners of two races. His only win was when he broke his maiden in January. He had ne... May 9, 2023

15-1 horse dug deep to win fastest 2 minutes It was still more than 40 minutes before the start of the 149th Kentucky Derby when the last pieces of the drama came as the horses walked over from the barns to the paddock.The Derby, with all its sp... May 7, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Get ready for another drama-filled Derby One thing is absolutely certain about the winner of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, nobody knows who it is.In a 20-horse field, anything can happen. The best horse in the world can get blocke... May 4, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Oaklawn well-represented in Kentucky Derby It is almost unbelievable that when the horses go to post for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, nine of the hopefuls ran at least one race at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Spr... May 3, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Paths to draft are stories of perseverance Last week's NFL Draft brought up a lot of memories.Such as being at the Capitol Hotel for Shawn Andrews' watch party, sitting with his family and enjoying the nervous excitement.Shawn was a fr... May 2, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Van Horn will keep Hogs from panic mode Panic has not set in for Coach Dave Van Horn or the Arkansas baseball team, and the fans shouldn't either.The loss to Missouri State on Tuesday was the Razorbacks' fourth consecutive after bei... April 27, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Mike Conley Jr. beyond worthy of mention It would be nice to write this is the finale of Arkansans in this year's NBA playoffs, which it is, but it is because of a fumble.Mike Conley Jr. was on the list made while researching who everyon... April 26, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Arkansans making impact in NBA Playoffs Joe Kleine loves the NBA and this time of year, with the playoffs in full bloom he spends a lot of time in front of his TV.He doesn't neglect his job at Corky's where he's known as "S... April 25, 2023

OPINION | LIKE IT IS: Tough decision not really that tough after all It should not be a political playground, but then a lot of things shouldn't be, but this isn't about politics.It is about males competing against females.Last week the U.S. House of Representa... April 23, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Players smart to leave their options open Purdue's Zach Edey and Arkansas' Jordan Walsh and Davonte Davis made the smart move in declaring for the NBA Draft while leaving the option to return to college.Despite averaging more than 22 ... April 20, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hurts has had a rise, a fall and another rise Granted, professional athletes and coaches are paid ridiculous sums of money, but since that is not going to change, it is a feel-good story for Jalen Hurts, who has signed a $255 million, five-year c... April 19, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: In the past, coaches worked to impact lives Standing outside the ballroom with some of greatest coaches in Arkansas history, it was almost overwhelming to share a time in history with guys like Ken Hatfield, Cliff Garrison, John Hutchcraft and ... April 18, 2023

State’s great sports day capped by Clairiere A glorious spring day in Arkansas.Other states may have great days but even with rain in the forecast Saturday, it was a tremendous day with everything from the Arkansas Razorbacks to racing at Oaklaw... April 16, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Big money races at Oaklawn on Saturday As what has become expected the world of thoroughbred racing, Saturday is a huge day at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort with two major stakes races that will attract entries from all over the country.The... April 13, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hall induction always is a grand evening When the lights come on Friday night the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame will have inducted eight new members bringing the 65-year total to 424 honorees.That doesn't include six teams that were honor... April 12, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Rahm made fiery Sunday charge to title It was compelling -- perhaps never as much as CBS announcer Jim Nantz makes it sound every second of every day -- but like many, Sunday afternoon was a time to be spent watching the Masters.Actually b... April 11, 2023

Mapping the comings, goings at Arkansas By this time last year, it was pretty apparent Eric Musselman was going to basically have a new basketball team this season.Only Davonte Davis and Kamani Johnson had ever worn an Arkansas Razorback je... April 9, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Spending means more in the powerful SEC Eye-opening and mind-boggling.That's what the well-researched article on CBSsports.com by Shehan Jeyarajah was.He looked into how much each of the Power 5 schools had spent on football recruiting ... April 6, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Huskies peaked at right time for fifth crown Sitting in Las Vegas watching UConn dominate the Arkansas Razorbacks the main thought was, the Huskies are not going to have a problem in Houston.And they didn't.Give San Diego State credit, the A... April 5, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Mulkey adds to resume with fourth crown It seemed a foregone conclusion that the NCAA women's basketball champions would be out of the SEC.For a few hours it appeared it might be an All-SEC Final but the nation was saved another round o... April 4, 2023

A day after tragedy, joy returns at Oaklawn A day after an ominous tornado took and changed lives, the world awoke to blue skies and sunshine.The day of fear and tragedy won't be forgotten soon, but even with heavy hearts life goes on and a... April 2, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Oaklawn has its own madness this weekend As most of the country prepares for the men's and women's NCAA Tournament Final Fours, Hot Springs and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort are preparing for the biggest spring party in the state.The ... March 30, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hodgson was an intelligent pick for ASU It was a natural.Arkansas State Athletic Director Jeff Purinton was basically conducting a nationwide search, along with Chancellor Todd Shields and University System President Chuck Welch, for a head... March 29, 2023

OPINION | LIKE IT IS: Favorites of the ‘experts’ not at Final Four When this crazy basketball season started, it appeared the trip to the Final Four would be a short bus drive for the Cougars of Houston, a short plane ride for the Crimson Tide of Alabama, another vis... March 28, 2023

This Madness unprecedented with no No. 1s While never expecting to see the Arkansas Razorbacks dominated by UConn, the Huskies were the best team seen this season, or at least they were Thursday.Little did anyone know it was a prelude to what... March 26, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Huskies keep the Vegas dream in Vegas LAS VEGAS -- What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and what happened Thursday night was a high-flying, rebounding, dead-eye shooting machine known simply as UConn.It wasn't that the Arkansas Razorb... March 24, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Huskies keep the Vegas dream in Vegas LAS VEGAS — What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and what happened Thursday night was a high-flying, rebounding, dead-eye shooting machine known simply as UConn.It wasn’t that the Arkansas... March 23, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs in Sweet 16 is a surprise, not a shock A week ago today, 64 teams woke up with their dream intact: Survive and advance.Today, 16 of those teams are left. They represent 11 different conferences and only two No. l seeds survived the opening... March 23, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks’ victory still worth celebrating One of the beauties of being a fan is you get to marinate in a huge win for as long as you want, while the players have to move on to the next challenge, or at least they better if they want more of M... March 22, 2023

Razorbacks’ thrilling win one to remember DES MOINES, Iowa -- It will go down as one of the most historic wins in Arkansas Razorbacks history.At 6:37 Saturday night, Kansas -- the storied basketball program and defending national champs -- a ... March 19, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Jayhawks’ Self knows heart of the matter DES MOINES, Iowa -- Bill Self should not be coaching Kansas today when it plays Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament.He's here and part of the planning, but he doesn't need to be on the sideline ge... March 18, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks earned team victory over Illini DES MOINES, Iowa -- Eric Musselman jumped on a chair in front of the loud and proud Arkansas fans and led them in a resounding Hog call.Wells Fargo Arena -- Bud Walton North -- was filled with Razorba... March 17, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs need to break out their track shoes DES MOINES, Iowa -- This a friendly city. Cold with snow on the ground as far as the eye can see, but courteous.People hold doors open and try to help with your briefcase as if this was the heartland ... March 16, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Committee had plan for Hogs-Illini opener There are no easy draws for NCAA Tournament seeds Nos. 7-16.An eight seed, like the Arkansas Razorbacks, is going to play a No. 9, and so basically there is no difference.The NCAA likes interesting st... March 14, 2023

Time for Hogs to have dance card filled A disappointed Eric Musselman was making his way off the Bridgestone Arena court.Arkansas had just dropped its seventh game of the season by six points or less when the Razorbacks had a held a lead in... March 12, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Second half should prove a learning lesson NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- At the half, it appeared Arkansas was going to stroll into day's semifinals of the SEC Tournament.Appearances were deceiving.The Razorbacks led 38-25 at intermission. They had ... March 11, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs made the most of their time to advance NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- They took it to heart.The motto of March Madness is survive and advance, and that's exactly what the Arkansas Razorbacks did in a 76-73 win over Auburn in the SEC Tournament on... March 10, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Arkansas-Auburn will be hotly contested Auburn is a half-point favorite in tonight's SEC Tournament game against Arkansas, which seems about right considering the Tigers won 72-59 in their one meeting.That was played at Auburn, and of c... March 9, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Staley has built a well-oiled winning machine A few random thoughts before March becomes madness.The South Carolina women's basketball team is so good, the Gamecocks should be getting votes in the men's polls.OK, a bit of a stretch, but t... March 8, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Some bubbles bound to burst on Sunday Chris Reynolds will sit down at 5 p.m. Sunday with Greg Gumbel, Jay Bilas, Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis on CBS and bring both joy and sadness when the NCAA Tournament field of 68 is announced.Reynolds... March 7, 2023

Wildcats landed more haymakers on Hogs That old hockey joke kept coming to mind Saturday watching Arkansas and Kentucky.Went to a fight and a basketball game broke out.In the end, it was payback as the Razorbacks split the games with the W... March 5, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: UK game still holds meaning for Arkansas After playing perhaps their worst game of the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks now host Kentucky in the regular-season finale Saturday and with something on the line.If Arkansas wins, it is the No. 9 s... March 2, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs out-muscled, out-hustled by Volunteers It had nothing to do with officiating, but no one got more camera time Tuesday night than those guys who seemed bigger than the game.The bottom line was the Arkansas Razorbacks were out-hustled and ou... March 1, 2023

OPINION | WALLY HALL: SEC didn’t botch this one with Tide player The SEC's slogan, "It Just Means More," never meant more than it did Monday when the league announced its player of the week.It was not Alabama's Brandon Miller, who as everyone know... February 28, 2023