Clarke SEC Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Rotnei Clarke earned his second Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honor on Monday following his 26-point game in Arkansas’ upset of No. 22 Kentucky and a 17-point effort at Auburn.

For the week, Clarke tallied 43 points on 43 percent shooting including six three-point baskets. The Verdigris, Okla., native sank 13-of-14 free throw attempts including 11-of-12 in the win over Kentucky. In the Kentucky game, Clarke sank seven consecutive free throws over a 20 second span to pull the Razorbacks from a six-point deficit to a one-point lead.

Clarke’s effort moved the Razorbacks to 18-10 overall and 7-7 in Southeastern Conference play with two games left in the regular season. The Hogs control their own fate in terms of seeding for the SEC Tournament as they play the two teams whom they are tied with for the crucial No. 2 seed and first round bye in the conference tournament.

The Player of the Week honor is the second of the season for Clarke and the third in his Arkansas career. He was named the SEC Player of the Week on Jan. 31 after his 36-point game at No. 19 Vanderbilt and on Nov. 16, of last season after his school record 51-point game against Alcorn State in the season opener. Clarke joins an elite group of two Arkansas players to earn three SEC Player of the Week awards during their careers. Former Razorbacks to earn multiple SEC Player of the Week awards include Courtney Fortson (2 times), Jonathon Modica (2 times), Jannero Pargo (3 times), Scotty Thurman (2 times), Mike Washington (2 times) and Corliss Williamson (2 times).

The Razorbacks are back on the court Wednesday night when they host the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena in a game that could determine the No. 2 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament. Tipoff for the contest is scheduled for 8 p.m.