First SEC road game
The University of Arkansas men’s basketball team took care of home court and won its first Southeastern Conference game, now it must take its show on the road to Baton Rouge, La., to face the LSU Tigers on Wednesday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at 7 p.m.
Arkansas (11-3, 1-0 SEC) is looking to go 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since the 2007-08 season and will have to continue to play solid defense if it wishes to do so. Arkansas currently ranks No. 6 in the SEC in scoring defense as it holds opponents to 63.7 points per game, but lead the conference in steals and turnover margin.
Rotnei Clarke continues to lead Arkansas in scoring at 14.1 ppg and the sharpshooter buried four of his six three-point opportunities against Tennessee to move to third on Arkansas’ all-time three-pointers made list. Along with Delvon Johnson in the paint (10.1 ppg), who also leads the SEC in blocked shots (3.8 bpg), the duo make a tough inside-out combination.
LSU (9-7, 1-0 SEC) has been up and down this season, but did get a win in its SEC opener with Auburn, 62-55. The Tigers are just 2-4 over their last six games with wins over Southern and Auburn and losses to Wichita State, North Texas, Rice and Virginia. LSU’s leading scorer Ralston Turner is doubtful for the game with a stress reaction leaving Andre Stringer as the Tigers main weapon at 13.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 35 three-point baskets made.
Wednesday night’s contest between Arkansas and LSU is the 51st in the all-time series and 42nd since the Razorbacks joined the SEC. Arkansas is 10-11 in Baton Rouge over the years including a disappointing 65-54 loss at the Maravich Center a year ago.
The Arkansas-LSU 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 Clay Matvick and Kyle Macy calling the action.
Following the contest with LSU, Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 12:30 p.m.
