Bill Haisten: Basketball now, football soon – money drives Arkansas’ quest for greatness

While last week’s University of Arkansas event centered on the hiring of a Naismith Hall of Fame basketball coach, there seemed to be a bigger-picture statement to the rest of the SEC and to Razorback football coach Sam Pittman. That statement: Mediocrity is unacceptable. The basketball Razorbacks advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2021 and 2023, but the 1996-2024 period of Arkansas basketball is defined mostly by underachievement. In 1978-95, there were four Final Four appearances and the 1994 national title. Razorback athletic director Hunter Yurachek wants a return...