I was interviewing Michael Qualls in Bud Walton Arena before his sophomore season for a feature story when assistant coach Matt Zimmerman walked toward us and said, "Mike, you had three turnovers in the scrimmage, you've got to run for them," to which Qualls replied, "I ain't running them." The 6-foot-6 shooting guard has matured tremendously since then, and now hopes a team takes a chance on him in the upcoming NBA Draft. That team might just be the Detroit Pistons, who hold the 38th overall pick. Qualls drastically improved his offense each year at Arkansas, but believes he can be a mainstay in the NBA if he dedicates himself on the defensive end.
After Arkansas missed out on both Ebuka Izundu and Kevaughn Allen this spring, Razorback fans are in a bit of a panic because many are under the impression the 2015-16 season will have a lot to do with where superstar Malik Monk will sign. Monk is one of the more dynamic and electric players in the class of 2016, and could be a program changer for Mike Anderson and Arkansas. There certainly is reason to believe he may sign with Arkansas, but with Kentucky, Kansas and other powerhouses in his ear as well, who knows what's going to happen.
Dave Van Horn's Razorbacks now own the SEC's longest active regional appearance streak at 14 seasons after South Carolina did not receive a tournament bid this week. It's amazing Arkansas is in the position it's in considering how rough the season began. Many wrote the Hogs off when the offense was abysmal and the pitching was atrocious, but Arkansas turned it around when it mattered, and now heads to Stillwater to face Oral Roberts – and hopefully – Oklahoma State. And if Arkansas were to make it out of the OSU regional, a Super Regional could be headed to Baum Stadium June 5-8. Wouldn't that be fun.
This isn't Arkansas related, but it's always one of my favorite pieces to read every offseason. Steven Godfrey, one of my favorite writers, and Ryan Nanni sent a bunch of dumb questions about dinosaurs to NCAA compliance officers in hopes of some real answers, and what we got was gold. Also, there's this from Godfrey last summer regarding student-athlete food rules.
Tweet of the Week
Cedric Cobbs is a #ProHog that went pro in something other than sports.
— Ryan Higgins (@rhiggins479) May 21, 2015
Also a nominee for Tweet of the Year.