Finals are ending, time to play

The University of Arkansas basketball team took a week off from competition following the Michigan contest to concentrate on academics and finals and return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 15, to take on Alcorn State at Bud Walton Arena at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s contest serves as a collection point for new, unwrapped presents to be donated to Toys for Tots.  All donations will be used in Washington and Benton Counties and those able to donate will be given a voucher for two free tickets to an Arkansas women’s basketball game, either the Dec. 28 game against Coppin State or the Jan. 6 game against Texas A&M.  University of Arkansas students who do not have an access pass, may purchase a ticket for the game for $1 and get a guest ticket for $5.

Arkansas (4-4) will have to work out the cobwebs that come with a week off the court on Saturday.  The Razorbacks have been playing much better of late despite their record, and hope that play begins to translate into wins.  Arkansas has taken on one of the toughest schedules in the country and are the only team in the nation that has played two of the nation’s current top five ranked teams.

Playing well for the Razorbacks has been junior Marshawn Powell who continues to fine tune his game after a season-ending knee injury a year ago.  Over his last three games, Powell is averaging 23.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game with seven assists, three blocks and four steals.  He is also hitting 54 percent from the floor, 60 percent from three and 89 percent from the free throw line.

Alcorn State (2-6) is off to a rocky start, but has had plenty of time to prepare for its game at Arkansas.  The Braves last game came against Jacksonville State on a neutral court and came up just short, 56-52.  Saturday’s contest is Alcorn State’s third against an SEC opponent with losses to then No. 14 Missouri, 91-54, and at Mississippi State, 60-42.

Arkansas and Alcorn State have played four times over the years with the Razorbacks winning each contest.

The Razorback game against Alcorn State will be broadcast on the radio across the Razorback Sports Network from IMG College with Chuck Barrett and Rick Schaeffer giving the call.  The game will also be carried live on the Razorback Sports Network with Scott Inman and former Razorback Blake Eddins on air.