re: Arkansas Basketball 2026 (and beyond) Recruiting Thread** Abdou Toure** Commits!

Saw where the team is doing open tryouts for the starting Center spot next Tuesday if you know anybody that is interested.

NIL package includes a free t-shite (IYKYK) and free entry into all Razorback football games

Seems like everyone keeps almost wanting us for that last big spot but then moving on. Anyone think we have someone and that’s why, or is the general consensus right now that it’s still up in the air and we’ve got what we’ve got as far as potential recruiting intel?

Yeah - this aspect of NIL and Portal is both nerve-wracking and exciting to me at the same time. I feel like this year our staff, led by Cal saw the deficiencies of our most recent team and really are doing their best to get the best. But I also think that part of being a fan is trusting them in the process. We got some pretty “big” name bigs last year that were not bad by any means, but didn’t cohesively compliment each other or our backcourt leading to the defensive and strength woes. But overall, based on where we’re already at, I’m optimistic and I agree the “better deal”/“shopping” issue is probably the main driver on decisions and there is a point where a good coach has to make a rational choice one way or another but just paying more and more has never gotten us a title in anything. At Arkansas in any sport, titles have always been won by working as a team, great coaching and mentoring, and excellent fan support. Not saying we don’t have the money, but Nolan, McDonald, and even DVH (I know no titles and shortcomings, but he is also 98th percentile or above probably) are or were all old-school badasses and when at their best fielded their best programs.

Hanlogden currently does not have eligibility for next season. Same boat as Ewin. Will they get a waiver? Maybe? Probably? But it’s not a done deal at the moment.

Missing out on Ekezie means we are going to have to land an International big man for the 5th spot. And we very well may end up getting somebody competent. But swinging and missing again and again at the #5 spot was not the plan going into the off-season, I would assume. Especially since us needing a 5 isn’t exactly new news. We’ve known for a year now that we’d need one.

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Program collectives, boosters, etc. that are willing to fork over 7 million for one player are the stupid ones. That is just plain throwing money away. In the end, they are paying to watch Stokes play for one year and gambling on a NC that probably won't happen for them. No ROI.
This madness has got to stop.

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Program collectives, boosters, etc. that are willing to fork over 7 million for one player are the stupid ones. That is just plain throwing money away. In the end, they are paying to watch Stokes play for one year and gambling on a NC that probably won't happen for them. No ROI. This madness has got to stop.

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Totally agree. All eggs in one basket doesn’t work. Have to put together a complete team that plays together - freshmen, portal, combo or whatever. But paying one 7 mil before they’ve ever even stepped on the hardwood at the college level is about as dumb as what Tennessee did with Nico.

Committed to Louisville.