Razorback basketball notes game still scheduled

Arkansas’ home game with Alabama on Thursday is still scheduled with no plans for a postponement. The nationally televised game by ESPN is slated for an 8:05 p.m. tip.

Arkansas is 12-5 overall and 0-4 in the SEC. The Razorbacks are 0-4 in SEC play for the first time.

Michael Washington was limited to eight points against Auburn, but had 12 rebounds and is still averaging a double-double for the season with averages of 16.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Through Jan. 26, Arkansas has more starts by freshmen than any other team in the SEC this season (50). The Razorbacks also get more points per game (42.9) and assists per game game (9.4) than any other league member while ranking second in rebounds (19.9). Arkansas’ starting lineup includes freshmen guards Rotnei Clarke and Courtney Fortson, and forward Michael Sanchez.

The Razorbacks played Auburn without senior Marcus Monk and freshman Brandon Moore. Monk was held out of the game for the review of an issue that may affect his eligibility. Moore is indefinitely suspended for the violation of team rules. Moore is expected to miss the Alabama game on Thursday. Monk’s status is not known.

With Monk and Moore not available, freshman Andre Clark received extra minutes against Auburn. He played 16 minutes, and contributed two points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. The six rebounds are a season high and the two blocked shots match his previous best. He had played a total of nine minutes with no points, rebounds or blocked shots in his three previous appearances.

Freshman Courtney Fortson had 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists against Auburn. He just missed his fourth double-double of the season.

Fortson is the only member of the SEC named to a mid-season national all-freshman team selected by CollegeHoops.net. He is on the second team.

Through Jan. 22, Courtney Fortson is the top-ranked freshman playmaker in the nation with 6.4 assists per game, although his current average is 6.2. He is 11th at 6.4, but his 6.2 average would tie for 12th. He is one of only two freshmen in the top 30 and one of three in the top 50.

Sophomore Marcus Britt has 20 assists with just seven turnovers for the season. He has seven games this season with one or more assists and no turnovers, including the last two.

Michael Sanchez had eight points against the Tigers for his best total in six games when he had 12 in the win over No. 4 Oklahoma.