Razorbacks go for two straight

The University of Arkansas basketball team looks to win its second straight Southeastern Conference game on Wednesday evening, Jan. 16 when it takes on the Auburn Tigers at Bud Walton Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

The first 3,000 fans who come to Wednesday’s game will receive a team pennant and the halftime activities feature the Razorback cheerleaders.

Arkansas (10-5) is now 9-1 at Bud Walton Arena this season and have been stingy on the defensive front since early December.  The Razorbacks rank No. 1 in the SEC in field-goal percentage defense in SEC play and also lead the league in turnover margin overall.  Arkansas has been quick to the ball of late, playing great help defense and have relied on its speed and quickness to create turnovers and capitalize.

Sophomore BJ Young continues to lead the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game, but perhaps his greatest asset to the team is his ability to create for others as he has 57 assists on the year.  Junior Marshawn Powell dropped in 17 points in Arkansas’ win over Vanderbilt and is averaging 14.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.  Sophomore Hunter Mickelson is also growing into his role with the team and is averaging 2.0 blocks per game over his last seven contests.

Auburn (8-7) struggled early in the year, but is coming on of late with wins in six of its last eight games, including victories over Florida State and LSU at home and a road win at South Carolina.  The Tigers are led by senior Frankie Sullivan who is averaging 17.2 points per game and has 51 assists on 39.6 percent shooting.  Sullivan has been aided by the inside presence of Rob Chubb who is averaging 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Arkansas and Auburn are very familiar with each other as the teams have met 44 times over the years.  Arkansas holds a 28-16 lead in the all-time series and rarely lose at Bud Walton Arena as the Razorbacks are 17-2 against Auburn at the “Basketball Palace of Mid-America.”  Arkansas has won the last four meetings between the two programs including a come-from-behind win against Auburn last season on the road.

The Razorback game against Auburn 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 SEC Network with Dave Baker and Joe Dean Jr. on air.

Following the game with Auburn, Arkansas goes on the road to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Jan. 19, in Oxford, Miss.