Razorback Roundup -- Dec. 7

RAZORBACK ROUNDUPDec. 7, 2009BASEBALL: Arkansas begins its 2010 season with a three-game series against Ball State at Baum Stadium Feb. 19-21. The Razorbacks play their first seven games at home.MEN’S BASKETBALL (3-5): The Razorbacks went 1-1 last week, losing a tough road contest to Oklahoma, 67-47, on Wednesday before returning to Bud Walton Arena to defeat Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, 91-54. Newcomers Marshawn Powell and Jemal Farmer led the Razorbacks for the week as each averaged more than 13 points per game. In the first NCAA statistical rankings released last Tuesday, sophomore Rotnei Clarke was No. 1 in three-point baskets per game (5.8), third in points per game (26.7), ninth in three-point percentage (57.4) and 65th in field goal percentage (57.3). Freshman Julysses Nobles and senior Stef Welsh were also on the lists. The Razorbacks play their final game before an eight-day break for finals on Monday (tonight) at 7 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena against Delaware State.WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (5-2): The women’s basketball team played to a split last week. Arkansas defeated Kansas State, 60-58, in a come-from-behind win keyed by big plays from sophomore C’eira Ricketts and freshman Sarah Watkins late in the game. Arkansas next suffered an overtime loss at No. 18 Oklahoma. The Razorbacks had a 16-point lead early in the second half, but OU rallied on its home court for the win. The Razorbacks host Coppin State Tuesday in the final contest before finals.FOOTBALL (7-5, 3-5): Arkansas accepted an invitation to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2. The game against Conference USA champion East Carolina is at 4:30 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. This is Arkansas’ ninth bowl appearance in 12 years and the 37th overall.MEN’S GOLF: The Razorbacks are off until Feb. 14-16 when they compete at the Battle at the Beach in Newport Beach, Calif.WOMEN’S GOLF: The Razorbacks are idle until the Central District Invitational Feb. 22-23, in Parrish, Fla. GYMNASTICS: Arkansas opens the season Jan. 9 at home against No. 20 Arizona. The Razorbacks, ranked No. 8 in the preseason, finished fifth in the nation last year.SWIMMING AND DIVING (4-1, 2-1): Arkansas returns to action Jan. 3-5 at the Georgia Diving Invitational while the entire squad returns to the pool with a dual meet against North Texas on Jan. 9 at Arkansas Natatorium. WOMEN’S TENNIS: Arkansas competes again on Jan. 23 against Oklahoma State and St. Louis at George M. Billingsley Tennis Center and Dills Indoor Stadium.MEN’S TENNIS: The Razorbacks return to action Jan. 17 to start the spring season against the Washington Huskies in Fayetteville.INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD: The men’s and women’s track and field seasons begin Friday, Jan. 8, with the hosting of the Arkansas Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center.VOLLEYBALL (13-18, 7-13): Jasmine Norton was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year and was joined by teammate Amanda Anderson on the All-Freshman Team when the league announced its volleyball postseason honors last week. Norton was also selected to the All-SEC second team. She is the 21st player in program history to be named either a first- or second-team performer. Norton also becomes the fourth SEC Freshman of the Year in program history, joining former honorees Libby Windell (1999), Jennifer Hasser (2001) and Denitza Koleva (2003). Norton and Anderson are the seventh and eight All-Freshman selections for Arkansas since the conference began selecting the team during the 2003 season.