No. 20 Razorbacks host Georgia

FAYETTEVILLE – The nationally-ranked University of Arkansas women’s basketball team hosts Georgia in Southeastern Conference action Thursday at 8 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas (14-1, 2-1 SEC), ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches Poll, will have its hands full with a talented Georgia (12-3, 2-0 SEC) team.

"We are excited to be where we are at," Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said. "We were excited to get the win at Mississippi State. We found a way to win a tough ball game but that game is behind us now. We are looking ahead to Georgia and are ready for the game. We know that once you get into the SEC season, every game is tough and we can’t wait to get back out on the floor."

This week, Arkansas has three players averaging in double figures. Junior Lyndsay Harris leads the team with 13.5 ppg heading into the Georgia contest. Sophomore Sarah Watkins, this week’s SEC Player of the Week, moved into the No. 2 spot for the first time this year. Watkins averages 12.9 ppg. Junior C’eira Ricketts rounds out the top three with a 12.8 ppg average. Freshman Keira Peak is closing fast as well. She averages 9.3 ppg this year.

"We are just doing what we are practicing," Watkins said. "We are not worrying about performing, we just executing what we are practicing. We know that every game is a battle in the SEC. We are focusing on one team at a time and we are looking forward to the Georgia game."

Arkansas faces a Georgia team that has won three in a row and has league wins over South Carolina and at No. 10 Kentucky.

The Bulldogs are led by Jasmine James averaging 12.1 ppg and Porsha Phillips with 11.8 ppg and 10.7 rpg.

"Georgia has one of the best centers in the SEC and maybe the country in Porsha Phillips," Collen said. "She is a great inside-outside player who runs the floor well and stretches the court. Georgia has a couple players off the bench that give them a lot of depth. They are the best team we’ve played to date this year."

And the schedule doesn’t get any easier.

Arkansas travels to Alabama and is at Vanderbilt before hosting Ole Miss, Jan. 23.

Thursday’s game is televised by CSS with Matt Stewart and Joe Ciampi calling the action. Fans will also receive a free Razorback Coozie at the door.