On to Vegas

The University of Arkansas basketball team hits the road for the first time this season when it travels to Las Vegas, Nev., to participate in the final two games of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24.

Arkansas (3-0) looks to pick up wins against some stiff competition beginning with Arizona State (3-0) on Friday evening at 6 p.m. central time.  The Razorbacks and Sun Devils are very similar in their styles of play which could make for an interesting and high-scoring affair.

After the Razorbacks play Arizona State it will take on the winner/loser of the Wisconsin/No. 14/12 Creighton game on Saturday night at either 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. central for the final game of the tournament.

Arkansas has been playing unselfish basketball through its opening three games as head coach Mike Anderson continues to institute his “Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball” philosophy and style on the Razorback program.  The roots of the program are starting to take hold and fans can see how different the Razorbacks of 2012-13 look as compared to the team a year ago when Anderson was in his first year.

An example of Arkansas’ unselfish play comes from the fact that three different players have led the Razorbacks in scoring this season and all three have posted 20-point games.  Junior transfer Coty Clarke was the first to do it and was followed by sophomore BJ Young and junior Marshawn Powell.  Another example is Arkansas’ high assist-to-made shots ratio.

While the Razorbacks may be playing in Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving Holiday, tickets for Arkansas basketball continue to be available.  Single-game non-conference tickets and mini plan packages are on sale at the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 1-800-982-HOGS or by going on-line at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

The Razorback games in Las Vegas will be broadcast on the radio across the Razorback Sports Network from IMG College with Scott Inman and former Razorback Blake Eddins giving the call.  Both games will also be live on the internet at ESPN3 and should Arkansas win on Friday, Saturday’s contest will be on television on ESPN2.