Rebounding from a loss

The University of Arkansas men's basketball team had a rough time of it on the road on Wednesday night in Baton Rouge and now return to the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide at 12:47 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15.

Arkansas (11-4, 1-1 SEC) struggled from the floor against the Tigers and hit just 33 percent for the game in dropping its first conference game.  The Razorbacks made a spirited comeback in the second half and erased a 14-point halftime deficit, but just enough free throw shooting by LSU gave the Tigers a home win.  Arkansas now looks to avoid its first two-game losing streak of the year against Alabama (10-6, 2-0 SEC).

Marshawn Powell battled through an illness to lead Arkansas on the floor with 15 points and six rebounds.  The sophomore forward shot 58 percent from the floor over 21 minutes to get his numbers and since returning to the lineup for the SEC season, he is leading the Razorbacks with 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over two games.

The Crimson Tide come in on a hot streak as they have won each of their last six games including a 10-point victory over South Carolina in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night.  Alabama is big and talented up front as the tandem of JaMychal Green (15.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Tony Mitchell (14.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg) are the leading scorers and rebounders.  The pair make up about 30 percent of the Alabama scoring and nearly half of the rebounding.

Along with the action on the court on Saturday, fans will have an opportunity to take pictures with the Southwest Classic trophy and "The Boot" between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on the concourse.  The first 2,500 fans will receive free basketball posters with the top 10 scorers in Arkansas history and the first 500 students will get a T-shirt.  In addition the Razorback football team will be recognized at halftime.

The Arkansas-Alabama game 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 TV by the SEC Network with Dave Baker and Arkansas' own Jimmy Dykes calling the action.

Following the contest with Alabama, Arkansas goes on a tough two-game road swing at South Carolina and at Florida next week.