On the road to Tuscaloosa

With back-to-back wins under its belt, the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team must go on the road to face the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division leader, Alabama, on Saturday afternoon at 6 p.m.

Arkansas (16-9, 5-6 SEC) is currently tied for second in the SEC West and is hoping to solidify the No. 2 spot when it travels to Alabama (17-8, 9-2 SEC). The Hogs are one of just two teams to take down the Crimson Tide in conference play this season, defeating the Tide, 70-65, at Bud Walton Arena.

In the first matchup between the two squads four Razorbacks scored in double figures led by Marshawn Powell who tallied a game high 17. The Hogs also got double digit efforts from Delvon Johnson (14), Rotnei Clarke (13) and Julysses Nobles (10) while forcing the Crimson Tide into 14 turnovers and none more important than the two at the end of the game on back-to-back possessions. Trevor Relaford led Alabama in scoring in the contest with 17 points with JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell scoring 16 and 14, respectively.

Following a three-game skid, the Razorbacks came out with incredible intensity against LSU and picked up a big win. That enthusiasm continued against Florida A&M which led to another lopsided victory. After failing to score more than 60 points in three straight games, the Hogs have put up 80 and 94 points in back-to-back contests, but must now do it against one of the best defensive teams in the SEC.

Arkansas continues to get impressive performances out of Clarke and Powell. Over their last four games, Clarke is averaging 14.5 points and shooting 54 percent from three-point range. Powell is averaging 12.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while hitting 57 percent of his shots and leads the team with six steals in that time. Senior Jeff Peterson is controlling the action at the point with 14 assists and just three turnovers with two steals and 6.5 points.

The Arkansas-Alabama 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 television by Fox Sports with Dave Neal and Larry Conley calling the action.

Following the contest with Alabama, Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.