SEC home slate opens with Vanderbilt

The University of Arkansas basketball team looks to pick up its first Southeastern Conference win on Saturday evening, Jan. 12 when it welcomes the Vanderbilt Commodores to Bud Walton Arena for a 5 p.m. tipoff.

The first 5,000 fans who come to the game will receive a Razorback basketball autograph card.  Cards will be stationed at all entrances to Bud Walton Arena.  University of Arkansas students who do not have a student-access pass and wish to attend the game may purchase a ticket for $1, with a valid student ID, and get up to two guest tickets for $5 each at the East entrance to the arena with cash or check only.

Arkansas (9-5) is coming off a disappointing loss in its SEC opener at Texas A&M.  The Razorbacks were within striking distance as the teams headed into the locker rooms for halftime, but a tough stretch to begin the final 20 minutes sealed Arkansas’ fate in College Station.

The Razorbacks hope to improve on their play against the Commodores by getting back to what they do best and that is “The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball.”  Head Coach Mike Anderson’s signature style of play calls for constant movement and what he calls “run and execute.”  It also causes havoc on defense and forces turnovers which has led to Arkansas being ranked No. 3 in the nation in turnover margin.

Vanderbilt (6-7) opened SEC play Thursday night when lost to Kentucky at home, 58-60.  The Commodores have struggled to score, averaging less than 60 points per game, but have played strong defense which has allowed them to stay in every contest.  Vanderbilt is led by the trio of Kedren Johnson (16.7 ppg), Kyle Fuller (11.5 ppg) and Kevin Bright (6.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg).  Johnson is the go-to guy for the Commodores as he leads the team in points per game, assists and steals and ranks No. 2 on the roster in field goal and three-point percentage.

Arkansas has won the last two meetings between the two schools including an upset of the No. 25 Commodores last season at Bud Walton Arena.  All-time, the Razorbacks are 17-9 against Vanderbilt in a series that began in the early 1960s.

The Razorback game against Vanderbilt 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 Fox Sports with Dave Baker and Daymeon Fishback on air.