Until last week, Arkansas was the only other SEC school entertaining serious national consideration. The Razorbacks were ranked as high as No. 19 before falling to Ole Miss and Tennessee, sending them out of the national rankings and back into the pack of SEC teams attempting to build a tournament resume. Thursday night, Alabama has a chance to bounce back from its loss to Kentucky when it travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks.
“I’ve been impressed watching Arkansas’ film,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “Obviously, they’re coming off a tough loss at home. I think you look at the body of work over the course of the season. They’ve been really good. They’re the highest scoring team in our league. In their building, obviously, style of play wise, is something our guys have to be prepared for. It’ll be a great challenge for us. I think we’ll go in there and try to get the win.”
Arkansas, much like Alabama, is a fast-paced team. It is one of the top offenses in the country, ranked sixth in the nation in points per game and fourth in assists. Grant’s motto is “94 Feet, Both Ways,” a testament to the unrelenting speed, defense-first mentality and transition threat of his team. Arkansas coach Mike Anderson masterminded the “Fastest 40 Minutes of Basketball,” a full-court press, breakneck team that ranks highly in turnover margin and scoring offense every season.
“I think obviously when you look at Arkansas, you’re talking about a pressing team, a team that really tries to get out and run off makes, misses, turnovers,” Grant said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re doing a good job on both ends of the floor offensively, taking care of the ball, attacking, being unselfish, being efficient with the ball. Defensively, obviously a sense of urgency transition-wise. They’ve got very good players.”
The Razorbacks are led by Bobby Portis, a 6’11” sophomore forward, who averages 18 points per game on 58 percent shooting and eight rebounds per game, a performance Grant said places him in the top ranks of the SEC.
“He’s a really good player,” he said. “I said earlier this week I think he’s one of the leading candidates for player of the year in our league right now with what he’s been able to do. At 6’11” he’s got great size and physicality. It looks like he’s put on some good weight. He’s got the ability to stretch it to the three-point line and also post you inside, so we’re going to have to do a great job as a team defensively, trying to limit his opportunities.”
Alabama tips off in Fayetteville Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
