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State abuzz with news on atypical Tuesday

Texas A&M's Admon Gilder (3) tries to keep the ball away from Arkansas' Darious Hall (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, in College Station, Texas. (Laura McKenzie/College Station Eagle via AP)

It was not a typical Tuesday in the world of perspiring arts with three major stories, so President Trump's preaching to my demographic -- veteran and senior -- was missed until Wednesday's newspaper.

In sports, the day started with the death of Clyde "Smackover" Scott, who by all accounts was a great athlete, way before his time, and equally as great of a human being.

The few times his company was enjoyed, always with his lovely wife Leslie (Hampton), he only talked about himself to answer direct questions and would immediately change the subject with a question about someone else.

He had wealthy, powerful friends who were as much friends as those who labored daily for hourly wages. He just saw everyone in one light. He made you feel good about athletics.

Then came what could be termed the Texas turn of events.

The final terms of Bret Bielema's buyout were finally released. Thanks to Jeff Long, the former University of Arkansas, Fayetteville athletic director, Bielema is a very wealthy man. He will be paid $11.9 million over the next three years.

He got a contract extension and huge buyout from Long for beating a mediocre Texas team in the 2014 Texas Bowl, and from day one of that bowl it was obvious the Longhorns didn't want to be there.

Arkansas won 31-7 (it wasn't as close as the score) and Long looked at much of the money the hardworking people of Arkansas had donated to their football program and pledged it to one man who had just gone 7-6 overall and 2-6 in SEC play.

Money donated to the Razorback Foundation, which originally started as a scholarship-based organization, comes from people who scrape and save all year to make their donation so they can buy season tickets to see their team play. Not even the wealthier who can afford club seats or suites who give to the football program want to see their money walk out the door.

This was not Bielema's fault. Not winning games may have been, but being offered and given unbelievable sums of money for failing falls on Long.

Long got his freedom to rule the athletic department and apparently the Razorback Foundation when it was believed he was a finalist for the AD job at Texas.

Some close to the UT program said he was on the B list and might have gotten an interview if the first five candidates didn't pan out. G. David Gearhart, the former UA chancellor, raised Long to almost a $1 million a year, plus perks, and let him run free.

The last story was the Razorbacks basketball team started the week the wrong way, losing to Texas A&M 80-66 in College Station. Now the Hogs must travel to LSU as the February feeding frenzy that leads to March Madness begins.

The Razorbacks opened the game like they might dominate. They were pressing, trapping and pressuring the Aggies, who were turning the ball over almost every other trip.

The Hogs were hitting shots, but after a timeout by frustrated A&M Coach Billy Kennedy, the Aggies stopped trying to dribble up court and started passing it and scored easy layups. They led 33-32 at the half.

When the second half started the Razorbacks defense didn't, and the Aggies made 9 of their first 10 shots and the Hogs never really recovered.

It may be time for Mike Anderson to consider starting his best five players, which would mean getting scorer Daryl Macon into the game sooner. Anderson believes in playing time, not starting, but Macon is a senior and the second-leading scorer who also looks for assists.

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Sports on 02/01/2018