The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

The guy they call Zeb might be the most interesting man in the world. Besides a unique name, the fifth-year senior pitcher speaks parts of multiple languages, will compete with you in ping pong or bowling, and played basketball with multiple guys who made it to the NBA. Don't expect to see Vermillion on the basketball court, though. He has emerged as a standout reliever for the nationally competitive Razorbacks. It's a role that's been built through hard work and an incredible culture that permeates every aspect of the program. And while Vermillion's Razorback career didn't get off to the best of starts, he's turned into one of the most consistent—and confident—performers for Dave Van Horn's team. With that kind of confidence, it's easy to see why Vermillion has found success this season and is destined to leave an impact on Razorback baseball.

Danielle Gibson is an RBI machine. She's the Arkansas school record holder for career RBI, and isn't slowing down in her last season on campus. The fact that she even ended up with the Razorbacks is a bit of a surprise, considering she's from California and started her collegiate career at Arizona State. But ever since she set foot in Fayetteville, she's been dynamite. In this conversation, Quinn Grovey and Matt Zimmerman sit down with this Razorback standout to talk about her life, being a married student-athlete, and her aspirations to be a coach and help change lives in the process.

Connor Noland's talent has never been up for debate. A two-sport star at Greenwood High School, he excelled both on the football field and the mound. Noland wanted to continue playing both sports in college, which made Arkansas—his dream school—a perfect fit. Noland won his only start at quarterback for the Razorbacks. But after a year of trying both sports, he realized he needed to make a choice. The decision to focus on baseball has paid off, but not without some injury-induced struggles. But Noland persevered through any doubts to become the Razorbacks' Friday night starter. And now wants to set an example for Arkansas, just like former Hog Kevin Kopps. Noland is well on his way to realizing his potential. And his mission is clear.

After a second-straight appearance in the Elite Eight, the Razorbacks are a program on the rise. And Matt Zimmerman is joined by legendary Razorback Joe Kleine to talk about the season, the program, and what the future holds.

Arkansas is heading back to the Sweet 16, and we're bringing you a special edition of the Hog Pod to celebrate. Join Matt Zimmerman and former Razorback Pat Bradley reminisce on Razorback past and analyze Razorback present, breaking down this year's team and what awaits in the Sweet 16.

Nolan Richardson is many things. Hall of Famer. Champion. Coaching icon. And while it all started for him in El Paso, Texas, it was at Arkansas where he became a legend. After consistent improvement in his first four seasons with the Razorbacks, Richardson broke through in 1990, with the help of some memorable wins over rival Texas. If that was the turning point, the move to the SEC proved to be what launched Richardson and Arkansas to the top of the college basketball world. Arkansas beat their new rivals, Kentucky, in the first four regular-season meetings between the teams, establishing the Hogs as the top dog of the SEC. And that status would be further cemented in 1994 with a national championship. It was the crowning achievement in an outstanding career for Richardson, a man who thrived on being an underdog and people counting him out. And for this, the 150th episode of The Hog Pod, we're going back to where we started it all, with the man who delivered the Razorbacks their only basketball national championship.

Stanley Umude has had a long journey to Arkansas. Literally. The son of Nigerian immigrants, he's the only member of his family—which includes two older siblings—who was born in America. And that led to a unique upbringing. That life would take Umude from Oregon to San Antonio, where he discovered basketball. But an injury in high school left him underrecruited, and he ended up enrolling at South Dakota. A long way from home and struggling to find playing time early, Umude thought about transferring. But he stuck around and become one of the best players in the league. His play caught the eye of Eric Musselman, who brought Umude to Fayetteville as a grad transfer, and he's come up big when the lights are brightest for the Razorbacks. Umude is driven by incredible self-belief that fueled him at times when his life could've gone in other directions. And he knows the best is yet to come.

Amber Ramirez has never met a 3-pointer she didn't like. The super-senior and McDonald's All-American from San Antonio returned to the Razorbacks for a third season after transferring in from TCU following her sophomore year. A big reason why? Coach Mike Neighbors, and his willingness to let his players be themselves. Ramirez was interested in playing for Neighbors at Washington, but it was too far from home. So when Ramirez decided to transfer from TCU, she only had eyes for the Razorbacks. That decision has worked out for everyone: Ramirez has scored more than 1,000 points in her Razorback career, and has left an impact on a program on the rise in the SEC.

Jordyn Wieber is used to winning. From taking home Olympic gold to being part of a championship-winning program at UCLA, Wieber knows what it takes to find success at the highest levels. And so when she became the first Olympic champion to become the head coach of a collegiate program, Wieber knew what she wanted to do.

The Arkansas gymnastics program isn't even 20 years old, but has seen its fair share of successes. With Wieber, there's more buzz than ever—the team has already posted records for attendance and high scores. And it all starts with building a culture and a program with a winning mentality. With an Olympian at the helm—and two others on the coaching staff—Razorback gymnastics is on an upward trajectory. And it all starts with Jordyn Wieber.

Dave Van Horn's tenure at Arkansas has been defined by success. Moments fueled by some of the all-time greats, including two Golden Spikes Award winners. And those successes—and the players involved in them—continue to elevate the Razorback baseball program. The wins, accolades and trophies have raised the bar for Razorback baseball, now seen as one of the very best programs in the country. In Part 2 of this exclusive conversation with Dave Van Horn, Phil Elson and the skipper talk successes, standards and wanting to win that national championship for his alma mater.