GETTING INSIDE
Getting back home has been good for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks, who lost three in a row in Fayetteville in late November, won their fifth consecutive game at home with their 66-62 overtime victory over previously unbeaten Missouri State.
“We showed some real heart today, especially in this building, which is a special place,” coach John Pelphrey said. “There were moments that we could have been knocked out, but we hung in there.”
The winning streak, which began with a win over Mississippi Valley State following a 20-point road loss at Oklahoma, boosted the Razorbacks’ overall record to 7-5. Their next game is Dec. 30 when Baylor comes to North Little Rock.
One big difference for the Hogs has been the return of sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke to the lineup.
Clarke missed the win over Alabama State while battling tendinitis in his knee, but he came off the bench to score nine points against Stephen F. Austin and was back in the starting lineup against Missouri State.
He scored a team-high 19 points, including all seven of the Razorbacks’ points in overtime.
NOTES, QUOTES
• G Marcus Britt was nearly perfect in the win over Stephen F. Austin. He made all three of his shot attempts from the floor, including one 3-pointer, and made all four of his tries from the free throw line. He also had three rebounds, five assists, and no turnovers. The one flaw? He had one personal four in his 33 minutes on the floor.
• F Marshawn Powell ranks second in rebounding among freshmen in the SEC with his 6.9 average through games of Dec. 27. That was good for a tie for eighth overall, and he trailed only Kentucky’s DeMarcus Cousins (8.8) among league freshmen.
January At A Glance: The big test comes early for the Razorbacks when Texas visits Fayetteville on Jan. 5. The Hogs then get into SEC play nine days later with a trip to Mississippi State, the preseason Western Division favorite. The Hogs have their conference home opener on Jan. 16 against Alabama. They also have home games against Florida and a rematch with Mississippi State and they also go to Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Quote To Note: “Outside of turnovers, I thought that we really competed, but also that we can play better.”—Coach John Pelphrey, after the 66-62 win over Missouri State in which the Razorbacks turned the ball over 20 times.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: It has taken a while for the Razorbacks to get their team together, what with injuries and suspensions keeping several key players on the bench in the early going. The Hogs have had everybody except sophomore guard Courtney Fortson available for their last two games, both wins. A five-game winning streak boosted their record to 7-5.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—F Marshawn Powell, F Michael Washington, G-F Jemal Farmer, G Rotnei Clarke, G Julysses Nobles. Key Subs—F Michael Sanchez, F Delvon Johnson, G Stephen Cox.
Game Review:
Arkansas 76, Alabama State 51
Arkansas 72, Stephen F. Austin 69
Arkansas 66, Missouri State 62 (OT)
Game Preview:
vs. Baylor (at North Little Rock), Wednesday, Dec. 30
vs. UAB, Saturday, Jan. 2
vs. Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 5
at Mississippi State, Thursday, Jan. 14
vs. Alabama, Saturday, Jan. 16
In Focus: Like Arkansas, Baylor will bring a five-game winning streak into the meeting with the Razorbacks and also will be coming off a long layoff. The Bears’ break will be 10 days, while the Hogs will have had nine days between games when they meet at North Little Rock.
Roster Report:
• Sophomore G Rotnei Clarke continued to lead the SEC in scoring through games of Dec. 27 with his 19.8 average. He was sixth in shooting percentage (54.0) and first in 3-point shooting (52.9).
• Sophomore G Courtney Fortson continues to serve a suspension for a message he posted on his Twitter account. He has missed the first 12 games of the season. He did play in the team’s two exhibition games in November.
