Stories by Wally Hall

OPINION | WALLY HALL: NBA has its share of Arkansans on rosters My friend Jerry Webster and his wife Etta -- mostly her -- love the NBA, and they love to go to games in Memphis and Los Angeles.They read every word our man Todd J. Pearce compiles of NBA Arkansans.T... January 27, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks' defense leads to fifth consecutive win Ole Miss, playing its third game game in five days couldn’t match the Arkansas Razorbacks' defensive intensity and the Hogs won their fifth consecutive game easier than the score would indic... January 26, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Pittman juggling portal, coaching staff While there is a generation of people who never saw him work, Frank Broyles is perhaps still one of the most recognizable names in Arkansas history.He came to mind when the story broke that Arkansas R... January 26, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Weekend games had plenty of fireworks Only the three Ss kept your trusty scribe from being a NFL player.Speed, size and strength.As a kid and through much of life, the NFL was a staple and then with time, and no doubt my job, my interest ... January 25, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Time to slow these runaway freight trains It is not spinning out of control, although it seems headed that way.The college world of perspiring arts landscape is too slippery of a slope.The transfer portal (free agency) and name, image and lik... January 23, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorback fans have plenty to be proud of It is an old joke not heard in several years, and the one that was posted on several Facebook accounts had altered it to fit and so it was decided to "borrow" it:Lee Corso was recently in Tu... January 20, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Rankings come down to nothing but NET Auburn got 36 first-place votes in the latest Associated Press basketball poll and Gonzaga got 25.So the AP's No. 1 team this week is Gonzaga by four points, 1,486 to 1,482, meaning a lot of voter... January 19, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs' defense in second half the difference maker After Texas beat Arkansas in the 1969 Shootout, Longhorns coach Darrell Royal quoted a country western line, “You gotta dance with who brung you.’In the second half Tuesday night the Razor... January 18, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs need to rely on defense rest of season Arkansas' 65-58 win over LSU was not an upset, just further proof that anything can happen in the SEC in any given game.It was another illustration that sometimes the Razorbacks best offense is it... January 18, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Big plays down the stretch win it for Hogs Arkansas and LSU battled for almost 39 minutes to gain an advantage and some momentum.The whole game the momentum was swallowed up by turnovers and long scoring droughts. But with the game tied a... January 16, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Sophomore Williams saves Razorbacks in final 2 minutes against LSU In 26 seconds of game time, Jaylin Williams saved the Arkansas Razorbacks, allowing the Hogs to escape with a 65-58 win over the No. 12-ranked LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Saturday.With 1:25 to play, ... January 15, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Arkansas' coach is tough, but made right call Eric Musselman tried.He tried to coach with pain, but it finally got to be too much and the Arkansas Razorbacks' men's basketball coach finally said enough.After more than a month of living wi... January 14, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: After just 2 months, college basketball season already crazy This started out as an unordinary college basketball season.Coach K, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, is on a farewell tour as he prepares to retire after the season.He has won five national championship... January 13, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Lacewell always had eye for spotting talent It was January 1993 and about two hours before the Dallas Cowboys would take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.Rains had been heavy that week and groundskeepers were still replac... January 13, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Bennett is a full-fledged hero in Georgia After Stetson Bennett fumbled in the third quarter, it was almost odd not to hear chants "JT JT JT' coming from the Georgia side of the field.To that point, Bennett was having a pedestrian pe... January 12, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks saw the Tide, Dawgs up close If you were comparing scores before Monday night's College Football Playoff Championship, you might have gone against Nick Saban, which is rarely a wise choice.The University of Arkansas was one o... January 11, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks must pick up defensive intensity Random thoughts while watching the Arkansas Razorbacks and waiting on Monday night's College Football Playoff Championship Game:The Razorbacks may have played their best defense of the year for mo... January 9, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs show some fight late but fall It goes in the book as a 86-81 road loss to Texas A&M but it took a three pointer and four free throws in the final 33 seconds for the Aggies to survive the Arkansas Razorbacks.Arkansas led by 13 ... January 8, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: NIL and transfer portal have created new issues There seems to be no end to the craziness known as NIL (Name, Image and Likeness).A couple of weeks ago the University of Texas announced a local charity was going to pay every Longhorn offensive line... January 8, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Musselman's crew has plenty to work on It was easy to understand University of Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman's frustrations during the Razorbacks' 75-74 loss to Vanderbilt.Most people could see why he was storming the sideline... January 6, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Concerning Cromer, the CFP and Brown A study is underway to research ways to shift power away from the NCAA and to the conferences.The co-chairs of the committee are SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Ohio University Athletic Director Juli... January 5, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Bowl win caps good week for Hogs, their fans They came by motor homes, cars, planes and maybe even trains.Arkansas Razorback fans ended their five-year bowl drought heartily.A safe estimate was 20,000 found tickets to be there. They were a loud ... January 4, 2022

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Second-half elixir works nicely for Hogs TAMPA, Fla. -- Whatever Sam Pittman said or did at halftime should be kept in a time capsule.The Arkansas Razorbacks went from lethargic to lethal in the second half.Saying they owned the third quarte... January 2, 2022

Prediction: Hogs will tame Nittany Lions TAMPA, Fla. -- A year ago today we were relieved to leave 2020 behind.It was a year that was hard on everyone, and 2021 has been better as we returned to a semi-normal life, unless, of course, you hav... January 1, 2022

For coaches, team not playing is a cop out TAMPA, Fla. -- Sam Pittman made the only comment about covid-19 when he and James Franklin met for the final press conference before Saturday's Outback Bowl.The Razorbacks are doing everything the... December 31, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Fun time getting closer to game time TAMPA — This afternoon, the Arkansas Razorbacks and Penn State Nittany Lions will board buses and head south for an afternoon on the beach.The beaches are beautiful, much like Destin, Fla, but b... December 30, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Pittman, Franklin genuine, like old friends TAMPA, Fla. -- It didn't show.On Wednesday at 12:31 p.m. EST, Sam Pittman made his debut as a head coach in a joint press conference for a bowl game.There was no gap between Pittman and Penn State... December 30, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: GPS beats a map if you know what you're doing TAMPA — This is an easy city to navigate if you have a great co-pilot who knows how to use GPS.Today was not an easy day to navigate as it was the first day I was not with Tom Murphy or my wife.... December 29, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Morgan gears up for last ride with Arkansas TAMPA, Fla. -- As Grant Morgan was walking into one of his final press conferences as an Arkansas Razorback he was given a Christmas present.It was his Brandon Burlsworth trophy.He brought the trophy ... December 29, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Razorbacks preparing for Tampa weather TAMPA — This morning, the Arkansas Razorbacks showed up in full gear for practice.Head coach Sam Pittman had considered going light, without pads, but as he talked about it Monday it was obvious... December 28, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Pittman's persona makes way to Tampa TAMPA, Fla. -- Sam Pittman has a strong opinion about bowl games."I don't want to cheat the players, our fans or our state," he said. "We are going to play."The Arkansas Razorb... December 28, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Long drive should be worth it TAMPA — At the time it seemed like a good idea.Why not just leave for the Outback Bowl Christmas afternoon after all the presents were opened?On the map it was just about five inches.On the road... December 27, 2021

A helping of Christmas gifts to pass around This is my favorite day of the year. There is nothing like being surrounded by family, food, generosity and a deep sense of spirituality.Presents were bought long ago, but in the world of perspiring a... December 25, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Pride took more than pay from Razorbacks With 8:06 to play, it appeared the Arkansas Razorbacks were going to do whatever it took to get the momentum for the first time and squeak out a win.They trailed 64-50 when they went on an 11-0 run wi... December 19, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hog fans ready for more basketball As of this writing, it's a little more than 30 minutes until the Arkansas Razorbacks tip off against Hofstra in North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena.Outside it is cold, damp and all December... December 18, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Sexton will play big role in Pittman's contract The last time Arkansas beat Texas, it followed with an eight-win season and Bret Bielema was given the keys to the Razorback Foundation vault by then-athletic director Jeff Long.That new contract ende... December 14, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: No denying Burks was one of best Hogs ever It is understandable some fans are frustrated with Treylon Burks' decision.They have come to count him.No one in America had bigger, softer hands to cradle tough catches than Burks.No one outran m... December 12, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Arkansas gets first offer from Pittman's agent I heard that Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, made their first offer for a new contract Friday night.Let’s just say it is for seven years, which probably isn... December 11, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Ohio Valley Conference fixes issues for UALR The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has landed on its feet with its move to the Ohio Valley Conference.Within a week of the announcement Texas and Oklahoma were jumping to the SEC, college reali... December 9, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Time right for Pittman to see what he's worth It has, at the very best, been confusing.Sam Pittman changing agents -- from popular Judy Henry to powerful Jimmy Sexton -- has left a lot of people feeling like, to borrow a quote from Federal Judge ... December 8, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs have come long way to get to Tampa It would prove to be a long, winding road from Fayetteville to Tampa, but Sunday the University of Arkansas became the first team west of the Mississippi River ever to be invited to play in the Outbac... December 7, 2021

Plenty of SEC love to go around in bowls No more waiting, the postseason bowl invitations will be announced today, and it appears all 13 SEC teams who earned bowl eligibility will be be in postseason action.Starting at 11 a.m. today, the Col... December 5, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: A great sports day in Arkansas What a great day for sports in Arkansas.The Arkansas Razorbacks host Darrell Walker and the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans in Bud Walton at 3 p.m., the UALR women’s team is hosting Central Arkansa... December 4, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Notre Dame could be in CFP without a coach The College Football Playoffs are staring at two possible firsts.Alabama, if it loses to Georgia with a respectable score, could become the first two-loss team to make the Final Four.Or if the Tide do... December 2, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: It's now clear that the Sooners got shafted It seems pretty certain that Florida and Southern Cal had coaches lined up before they fired their previous football coaches.Florida is the most interesting because Athletic Director Scott Strickland ... December 1, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Bowl predictions still an exercise in futility Even though it is all speculation, the predictions for the bowls have been looked at.It would make sense that ESPN.com, which has the broadcast rights to the majority of the bowls, would have a clue a... November 30, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: It's another stellar state hall of fame class It was one of the most passionate Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame board meetings that can be remembered.The last meeting of the year is when the board finalizes the next group to be inducted into the hal... November 28, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Pittman rebuilds in two seasons Just two years ago the Arkansas Razorbacks finished the season in a 24-14 loss to a mediocre Missouri and stood 2-10 on the season, 0-8 in Southeastern Conference play.The second year in a row for tha... November 27, 2021

Injured Razorbacks put the hurt on Tigers From the medical tent to the end zone.Bruised and banged-up quarterback KJ Jefferson and wide receiver Treylon Burks helped the Arkansas Razorbacks give Missouri some payback by the tune of 34-17.Miss... November 27, 2021

OPINION | WALLY HALL: Hogs roll to 34-17 win over Mizzou For the first time ever, the Arkansas Razorbacks have won every trophy game on their fall schedule.They defeated Texas A&M in the Southwest Classic, 20-10.They defeated LSU in the Battle for the G... November 26, 2021