Arkansas
Fog Lifts on Status of Razorbacks’ Injured Trio Ahead of Auburn Rematch
Love might be in the air when No. 21 Arkansas hosts Auburn for a Valentine’s Day clash Saturday night, but revenge will be on the menu.
The Razorbacks (18-6, 8-3 SEC) suffered their first conference loss when they faced the Tigers (14-10, 5-6 SEC) on the road back in January. It feels harsh to say a 22-point margin of defeat flattered the Hogs, but the game was even uglier than the 95-73 scoreline indicated.
Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari said afterwards there was “no way” for his team to win that game with how poorly they played and how well Auburn performed. Now back in the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena, the Hogs can get their get-back.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will be looking to get back in the win column after three straight losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Vanderbilt. Auburn basketball coach Steven Pearl even apologized after failing to defend home court against the Commodores on Tuesday.
Arkansas has won five of its last six games, most recently dominating back-to-back road games against Mississippi State and LSU.
That’s even more impressive considering the Hogs were without sophomore wing Karter Knox (knee) and junior guard DJ Wagner (ankle) for both contests. The shorthanded Razorbacks were able to make do against two opponents with a combined 5-17 mark in league play, but they’ll need to be back to full strength to feel good about this matchup.
Fortunately, a source indicated to Best of Arkansas Sports that Knox and Wagner are expected to play Saturday. Both returners have struggled this season, and it remains to be seen if their two-week absence can act as a fresh start or not. Big man Malique Ewin, who took a shot to the face Tuesday that required four stitches to fix up, should also be good to go.
The initial SEC availability report will be released Friday night, but that trio returning would be a major boon for Arkansas — especially considering the ways in which Auburn dominated the first matchup.
Scouting Auburn Basketball (Again)
As Arkansas fans know all too well, everything for the Tigers starts with Keyshawn Hall — the 6-foot-7 Swiss army knife hung 32 points on Arkansas last month. The senior is averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.6% from three. He accounts for nearly a quarter of Auburn’s scoring and is incredibly efficient inside the arc, as well, sinking 63.2% of his two-pointers.
Hall is a volume shooter who rebounds well for his position and draws fouls at a high clip (2.6 PF drawn per game). Arkansas cannot allow him clean catch-and-shoot rhythm or straight-line drives. Razorback defenders will have to body him up, contest everything and make him finish over length and through contact. That screams Billy Richmond III, but Knox’s return will also be a big help here.
The tone-setter in the backcourt is Tahaad Pettiford (6-foot-1). He’s averaging 14.1 points and 3.5 assists. Despite lackluster efficiency from behind the arc (26.5%), his 1.59 assist-to-turnover ratio shows he’s steady with the ball. Despite scoring just 8 points in Auburn’s earlier win, Pettiford tallied 7 assists and only two turnovers in under 30 minutes during the blowout.
Pettiford’s value is pace control, though he’s capable of electric scoring bursts. When he gets downhill, Auburn’s offense flows. This is where Wagner’s defensive presence at the point of attack will be vital.
Acuff should be able to attack offensively if he’s matched up with the smaller Pettiford, though Auburn will likely put a bigger body on Arkansas’ standout freshman.
KeShawn Murphy (6-foot-10) provides the physical interior backbone. He’s averaging 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting efficiently and stretching the floor at 36.7% from three on low volume. The senior averages 1.8 stocks (steals plus blocks), often swinging the momentum with his defensive presence.
Ewin, Nick Pringle and Trevon Brazile hosted a block party against LSU, but they’ll have their hands full in this contest and will have to stay out of foul trouble.
Kevin Overton (6-foot-5) is another dangerous complementary piece. He averages 12.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and a team-leading 1.4 steals, shooting 36.5% from three.
Predicting Arkansas vs Auburn
Auburn plays fast and confident offensively, scoring at a high clip but giving up nearly 79 points per game. The Tigers rank 11th in offensive efficiency on KenPom but just 84th on defense. The Razorbacks are fifth and 42nd, respectively.
This is not an airtight defensive group — it’s a tempo-and-shotmaking team. Auburn scores in volume but isn’t dominant on the glass (29.4 rebounds per game), although the Razorbacks lost the rebounding battle by nine in the first matchup. Arkansas will have to be better on the boards and avoid live ball turnovers to dictate the game’s flow. The Hogs are 2-4 when outrebounded by five or more and 16-2 otherwise.
Even after consecutive blowout wins, complacency shouldn’t be a hindrance for Arkansas given the way the first matchup went. Arkansas has played connected, disciplined basketball with sharper defensive attention to detail in its last two outings. If that edge carries over, the Hogs flip the script.
Arkansas wins, 92-78.
How to Watch Arkansas vs Auburn
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Tipoff Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
ESPN BPI: Arkansas has a 65.6% chance to win and is favored by 4.0 points.
KenPom: Arkansas has a 72% chance to win, with a projected score of 87-80.
Odds/Betting Line: Arkansas, -7.5 | O/U 167.5 (BetSaracen)
Need a refresher on how the first matchup went? Here’s our recap of the Arkansas vs Auburn game on Jan. 10:
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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas softball will once again host an NCAA Regional, this time as the No. 5 overall national seed.
The Razorbacks (42-11) will be the top seed in Fayetteville and open the tournament against fourth-seeded Fordham (27-26) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Washington (36-18) is the two-seed and will face three-seed South Florida (42-15) that same day inside Bogle Park.
Arkansas is paired with the Durham Regional hosted by Duke (39-14) for a potential super regional. Arizona (35-16), Marshall (37-17) and Howard (28-17) are joining the Blue Devils in the regional.
This is the sixth consecutive season the Razorbacks will host a regional. It is also the program’s eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth under coach Courtney Deifel. Arkansas has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times, and more than half of those appearances have come under Deifel.
Arkansas ended the season No. 1 in the RPI despite finishing seventh in the SEC standings. The Hogs were eliminated by Alabama in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Last year, Arkansas lost to SEC rival Ole Miss in the Super Regionals. The Hogs fell one win shy of reaching the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. They are hoping to take that elusive next step this summer and book a trip to Oklahoma City in two weeks time.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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