Lady'Backs crack coaches' poll; head to Granite State this weekend

FAYETTEVILLE — Tom Collen’s undefeated Lady Razorbacks break into the ESPN/USA Today WBCA coaches’ poll at 23rd this week. Arkansas (12-0) travels to New Hampshire for the Blue Sky Classic this weekend at Dartmouth. The Lady’Backs face Delaware on Saturday at 4 p.m. central time.

The Lady’Backs’ lucky number seems to be 23 during the holiday season. Just prior to the break, Arkansas’ recruiting class for next season was ranked 23rd in the country by All-Star Girls Report.

On Christmas, Arkansas received its gift of ranking in the coach’s poll at 23rd. The Lady’Backs were the last undefeated team in the country that wasn’t ranked in Division I. Arkansas remains outside of the Associated Press poll this week, moving to second among the also receiving votes which is functionally 27th.

Tipoff for Saturday’s game at Leede Arena is 4 p.m. for Arkansas and Delaware (1-9). The Blue Hens ride a school-record losing streak into the opening round game at the Blue Sky. Host Dartmouth plays Marquette at 6 p.m. central. The consolation game is Sunday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. with the championship at 6 p.m.