Arkansas Razorbacks News: SIU Coach Calls Out Hog Fans for Basketball Attendance; Plus Football Notes

We weren’t expecting it, because it’s not exactly a new story, but the subject of Arkansas’ non-conference basketball attendance came up after the Hogs beat SIU Monday night. SIU’s coach Barry Hinson was very clear about his feelings, not pulling any punches in calling out the Arkansas fans for not showing up. It has been common in recent years, especially in non conference games, to have the paid attendance numbers be much higher than the actual attendance, and the game against Southern Illinois was no different.

It might just be because LSU’s running game is one of the best in the country, clearly most teams will give up big yards to Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. However, Arkansas’ run defense has been dreadful for just about every game this season. All of the defensive positives taken from the Florida game seem gone and Arkansas is looking for answers again. Bret Bielema addressed the issue this week and talked about how the inconsistency from play to play is the most frustrating thing about the run defense right now.

Despite the performance against LSU, Arkansas finds itself in new territory this weekend against Mississippi State. Arkansas opened as a slight favorite against a Power-5 opponent for the first time all season against the Bulldogs. Now as the money has flowed in for a little bit, the line has moved to State being a 1-point favorite, so the game is essentially a toss up in Vegas’ eyes.

Bielema also gave some updates on a couple players as well. First Dre Greenlaw, who the team is being understandably cautious with. With a medical redshirt not an option, there is still talk of bringing him back this season, but now it’s likely that wont happen until Arkansas’ Bowl game.

Next Dominique Reed, who has had a disappointing senior season. Reed had the only touchdown against LSU on Saturday, but then showed up late to a team meeting, indicative of the way this year has gone for him. Bielema spoke more about the meeting they had here and about him buying in. With only three games left in his Razorback career, Reed has a very short amount of time to buy in.