Barstool Sports personalties Frank “The Tank” Fleming and Rico Bosco will be on hand for the nationally televised contest
Ever since the mysterious lords of sports announced that Arkansas State’s home game with Troy would be broadcast on ESPNU this Thursday, the electricity that gives life to Red Wolves basketball has increased its voltage.
“It’s huge,” said Coach Bryan Hodgson when asked about the game’s move to a nationally televised broadcast. “It’s huge for the university. It’s huge for the athletic department, and for our young men, who deserve it.”
So huge, the athletic department pulling all the stops, including Hodgson inviting his friend, Barstool Sports personality Rico Bosco, to be a featured guest of the game, along with his Barstool Sports cohort Frank “The Tank” Fleming.
“Frank will be doing his Raw Dog Hot Dog Review at J-Towns,” revealed Hodgson. “(After the hot dog review) Frank is going to do is daily walk around campus at A-State.” The walk, which is part of Fleming’s well-publicized effort to drop a few pounds, will be held at Thursday at 5:30, where he is expected to be joined by A-State Chancellor Dr. Todd Shields and students.
Game time antics include Rico rounding up nine students for a $500 half-court shot challenge, and Fleming will be manning the powerful Higginbotham Family Dental T-Shirt Toothpaste cannon. Additionally, cash prizes ($1,000/$750/$250) will be rewarded for the three loudest student organizations. If that wasn’t enough, Hodgson tweeted this on Tuesday:
There is a good reason why Coach Hodgson and the A-State Athletic Department are all-in on Thursday night’s nationally televised game. “It brings an exposure to our brand across the country,” said Hodgson. “People who wouldn’t normally watch an Arkansas State basketball game will flip on ESPNU and see a good mid-major basketball game.”
While there’s no guarantees in life, the match-up between Bryan Hodgson and the Red Wolves versus Scott Cross an the Trojans is a gone one, with Arkansas State getting the better of the Trojans last week in Troy 82-71. The Red Wolves, bearing the most explosive offensive in the conference, will once agains have to overcome the Trojans’ rebounding prowess – currently ranked 10th nationally.
“I think we play a fun style of basketball,” concluded Coach Hodgson. “People will enjoy watching.”
Perhaps, but why take chances? In addition to the Barstool personalities and the events surrounding their visit, Arkansas State is offering $2 Convo Dogs (which Fleming should save room for), a $22 deal for two lower level tickets, and a stadium-wide “black out” augmented by free back rally towels.
The Red Wolves enter the game in fifth place and 8-6 in conference play. Troy is 11-3 and is tied for second with James Madison. Both programs are looking to secure two bye games in the Sun Belt Tournament, which is awarded to the conferences top four programs.
PHOTO: mine, except the one of the Tank, which I grabbed off Twitter
Howlraiser 