7:03 p.m.- Hey everyone! Thanks for tuning in to tonight’s blog as the Arkansas Razorbacks (8-9, 1-1) take on the Florida Gators (12-5, 1-2) at Bud Walton Arena. The game is nationally televised on ESPN, and we will have game insided updates every minutes. Thanks for choosing UATV and be sure to check back throughout the game!
7:35 p.m – Both teams are on the court now shooting around as we’re just under 24 minutes left until tip-off.
7:38 p.m.- Shon Coleman, a five-star offensive lineman from Olive Branch, Miss. is in attendance for tonight’s game as a football recruit.
7:56 p.m.- Hogs run onto the court to the fight song and we’re about three minutes from tip-off here at Bud Walton Arena.
8:00 p.m.– Florida head coach Billy Donovan and staff walk over to shake the Arkansas’ coaching staffs’ hands before the game. That’s something you don’t see everyday.
8:02 p.m.- We’ll see the same starting lineup from the Alabama game for the Hogs: Michael Washington, Rotnei Clarke, Marshawn Powell, Marcus Britt, and Courtney Fortson.
8:09 p.m.– Marshawn Powell has the Hogs first four points of the game and we’re tied at four with 17 minutes to go.
8:10 p.m.– Arkansas makes their first substitutions of the game: Stef Welsh in for Marcus Britt and Delvon Johnson in for Mike Washington.
8:12 p.m.– Mike Nail is reporting on the radio that guard Rotnei Clarke was in a car accident last night and has a sore back and neck, but is ok and cleared to play. He has already hit one three-pointer to provide the 9-6 lead over Florida with 14:38 to go in the first half as we’re in a media timeout.
8:18 p.m.- Jemal Farmer seeing his first action of the night subbing in for Courtney Fortson. Michael Washington up for the two-handed slam and Arkansas leads 11-8 with 12:17 left in the opening half.
8:21 p.m.– With another media timeout at the 11:22 mark in the first half it’s time for a stat update: Florida is shooting 2-of-12, 16% from the field while the Hogs are 5-of-15 for 33%.
8:24 p.m.– Erving Walker nails a three to tie the game at 11-11, then a steal and lay in by Kenny Boynton gives Florida a 13-11 advantage with 9:54 to play in the first half.
8:30 p.m.- Another three by Erving Walker give Florida a 16-13 advantage but Clarke answers with a three of his own and we’re tied at 16-16 as the Razorback fans are getting loud.
8:35 p.m.- Hogs play tough defense as Florida barely gets a shot off before the shot clock. On the other end Glenn Bryant knocks down a trey and it’s 21-18 Arkansas.
8:37 p.m.- It’s Glenn Bryant again for THREE!!!
8:39 p.m.- Hogs now lead 24-19 but a few questionable fouls against Arkansas have head coach John Pelphrey out of his seat.
8:42 p.m.- Arkansas leaves Erving Walker wide-open for a three and he drains it. He’s now 3-for-3 from long distance in the game and it’s 24-24 with 2:39 to play.
8:44 p.m.– Another superb pass by Fortson sets up a dunk by Marshawn Powell, and a 26-24 lead for the Hogs. Powell no has eight points.
8:45 p.m.- Parsons pulls up from two feet beyond the arc, but it’s no good. Florida has the ball back with 20 seconds left in the first half, we’re tied 26-26.
8:49 p.m.– Walker hits a runner and the Gators will take a 28-26 lead at the half.
8:51 p.m.- Poor shooting by both teams leads to this low-scoring first half. Arkansas shoots 37% while the Gators are at 27% from the field but still lead at the midway point.
8:54 p.m.- the Magic act called “Quick Change,” is performing at mid court right now during the half.
9:03 p.m.– Arkansas will have the ball coming out of halftime.
9:07 p.m.– Erving Walker nails about a 26 footer from beyond the arc making it 31-26 Florida with 18:10 to play.
9:09 p.m.– Florida is 5-of-11 from beyond the arc as Kenny Boynton nails a three. On the other end, Michael Washington sinks two free throws and Florida now leads 34-28.
9:15 p.m.- Timeout on the floor by Arkansas with 14:34 to play in the game. Florida currently leads 36-31.
9:20 p.m.- Courtney Fortson gets fouled and makes the driving layup. The free throw is up and good by the lefty and the Gator lead is cut to two.
9:22 p.m.- Washington cleans up a miss and puts in back in and we’re all knotted up 36-36 as the fans in BWA are loud and proud!
9:24 p.m.- Arkansas fans join John Pelphrey in their disgust of tonight’s officiating. Florida sinks a pair of free ones and they lead 38-36.
9:26 p.m.- In what looked like would become Arkansas ball after Kenny Boynton stepped out of bounds, another official runs in to over-rule and say that he was pushed out by Michael Washington. That will be Washington’s fourth foul of the game with 11:25 to play in this game. As you can imagine all Hogs fans in Bud Walton Arena rang down with “boos,” for the officials.
9:29 p.m.- Stat Updated: Erving Walker leads all scorers with 18 points while Powell leads the Hogs with 10.
9:30 p.m.- Marcus Britt nails two free throws after stealing the endbound from Boynton and then is fouled. Hogs lead 44-42.9:32 p.m.- Courtney Fortson sinks an And 1 and the Hogs retake the lead, 45-44, with 10:10 to go. Wait. Alex Tyus makes a jumper and it’s the Gators with the lead 46-45.
9:36 p.m.- Rotnei Clarke nails a big thee and the Hogs lead 50-48.
9:40 p.m.- Another trey by Clarke ties the game at 53-53. He now has 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range.
9:44 p.m.- Florida is 17-of-20 from the charity stripe and they lead this one 58-56 with 5:30 to play.
9:48 p.m.- And Florida has opened up it’s largest lead of the night, 64-56, as Arkansas can’t find its shot. 2:51 still to play in the game.
9:50 p.m.- A basket underneath by Washington stops the Hog offensive drought momentarily, but a three by Walker extends the Florida lead to 67-58. Courtney Fortson drains a three so it’s now 67-61 and the Hogs call a timeout.
9:52- Fortson drives and dishes to Powell for a slam, cutting the Florida lead to 67-63. Florida calls a timeout with 1:16 to play.
9:55 p.m.- Alex Tyus called for too many steps and Arkansas will get the ball trailing, 67-63, with 46.3 seconds on the clock.
9:56 p.m.- All five starters currently on the floor for Arkansas, here we go!
9:58 p.m.- Powell misses the three and Parsons sinks one of two free throws Arkansas down 68-63.
9:59 p.m.- Fortson at the line nails a free throw. Florida leads 68-64 with 19.6 to go.
10:02 p.m.- Florida’s Erving Walker has a game-high 27 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line and 5-of-6 from three-point range.
10:04 p.m.- Courtney Fortson has a double-double for the second consecutive game, 13 points and 11 assists.
10:05 p.m.- Florida drops the Hogs 71-66. Florida improves to 13-5, 2-2, while Arkansas drops to 8-10, 1-2.