Razorback hoop notes

With Michael Washington limited to two first-half minutes at Auburn due to foul trouble, freshman Brandon Moore received double-digit minutes for the first time since Dec. 27. He finished with five points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and no turnovers in 17 minutes. In 29 total minutes over five SEC contests, he entered the game with totals of one point, four rebounds, one blocked shot and no assists.

Freshman Michael Sanchez finished the game at Auburn with nine points, six rebounds and five stitches in his chin. He had seven points and four rebounds in the first half before being forced from the game with a cut on his chin in the final minutes. After receiving the stitches at halftime, he played nine minutes in the second period and added two points and two boards. Over the last two games, he is averaging 6.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Freshman Rotnei Clarke had a season-high four steals at Auburn. That total ties Marcus Britt (twice) and Brandon Moore for the best single-game total this year.

Arkansas has lost second-half leads in three straight games. The Razorbacks led Tennessee 35-33 at the half and 58-53 with 8:20 remaining before falling 74-72. The Hogs led at Mississippi State 51-36 at the half before falling 86-77. At Auburn on Wednesday, Arkansas led 39-31 at the break and 43-33 with 18:52 left before losing 75-62.

Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey will be coaching against Kentucky, his alma mater, on Saturday. A member of UK’s “Unforgettables” in 1992, he was an honorable mention All-American in 1991 and helped the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 1992. He was inducted into the Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2005 and his jersey number (No. 34) was retired in 1992. Pelphrey is 0-1 against UK as a head coach, losing in Lexington last year, 63-58. As an assistant six years at Florida and two at Marshall, he faced Kentucky 14 times, going 4-10. He was 4-8 at Florida from 1997-2002 and 0-2 at Marshall from 1995-96.