Headed to Tuscaloosa

The University of Arkansas basketball team stays on the road for a rare Thursday night game on Jan. 31, against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., beginning at 8 p.m.

Arkansas (12-7, 3-3 SEC) is still very much in the thick of things in the SEC as it is currently sixth overall and just a game out of third despite a difficult loss on the road at South Carolina last weekend.  The Razorback defense is key to getting conference wins and after a hot start against the Gamecocks, was unable to initiate the transition game that makes Arkansas so difficult to defend.

Junior Marshawn Powell continues to play inspired basketball and over the last two weeks (four games) is averaging 20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while hitting 52.5 percent from the field, 41.7 from three and 73.7 from the free throw line.  Against the Gamecocks, Powell dominated for his third double-double of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Alabama (12-7, 4-2 SEC) is one of the teams that Arkansas is chasing for third in the league standings making Thursday’s game a big one for both squads.  Not a great rebounding team, the Crimson Tide get things done by committee with three players averaging double-digit scoring and six players grabbing at least three rebounds per game.  Trevor Releford and Trevor Lacy make things go for Alabama as they combine to average 28 points, six rebounds and five assists per game.

While the Razorbacks hold the all-time series lead 28-26, the Crimson Tide have picked up several wins of late including two last season which has allowed them to take a lead in the series since the Razorbacks joined the SEC.  Alabama is currently on a three-game winning streak against the Razorbacks and has not lost to Arkansas at Coleman Coliseum since Jan. 27, 2006 when an unranked Razorback team upset No. 12 Alabama, 63-57.

The Razorback game against Alabama 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 ESPN2 with Rece Davis and Bob Knight on air.