Field Level Media
04 Mar 2025, 08:58 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
Arkansas heads to Nashville, Tenn., for a Tuesday matchup against Vanderbilt with postseason implications for both Southeastern Conference teams.
The streaking Commodores (20-9, 8-8 SEC) have won three straight, all against ranked teams. The latest was Saturday's 97-93 overtime win over then-No. 14 Missouri, when Chris Manon (23 points, 11 rebounds) and AJ Hoggard (21 points, six assists) led a come-from-behind effort during which the hosts trailed for 32:05.
The Commodores are 37th in the NCAA's NET rankings, with 26 'wins above bubble' no losses in Quads 3 and 4 and a 9-9 mark in the first two quads. But Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington leaned on a more important authority for assurance.
'My mom told me if we win today, we're in the NCAA Tournament, so she's my bracketologist,' Byington said on Saturday.
The Razorbacks (17-12, 6-10) had won six of 10 conference games coming into Saturday. Then came a disastrous 72-53 loss at South Carolina, during which Arkansas missed its first 17 3-pointers and trailed by 35 with 6:03 remaining.
That leaves the Razorbacks on the NCAA Tournament bubble heading into the week.
'I said, 'Burn the tape and let's get ready for Vandy,'' Arkansas coach John Calipari said.
Arkansas felt the absence of Adou Theiro (knee), who leads the team in scoring (15.6), rebounding (6.0) and steals (1.7). It's unknown whether he will play Tuesday.
Johnell Davis (10.6 ppg) and Zvonimir Ivisic (9.8) have been keys lately and are capable of big scoring games.
Freshman forward Karter Knox (7.8) has also stepped up, scoring in double figures the past five games.
Arkansas ranks 16th in Ken Pomeroy's adjusted defensive efficiency and holds teams to 31.2 percent from 3-point range.
That'll be a challenge against Vanderbilt's Jason Edwards (team-high 17.2 ppg) and Tyler Nickel (10.3). Nickel is 13 of 22 (59.1 percent) from 3-point range during the winning streak.
An Arkansas loss would potentially make Saturday's home game with Mississippi State a must-win situation.
Vanderbilt has an outside shot to get a seven-seed or better in the NCAA Tournament, but that scenario would likely have to include a win on Tuesday.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More InformationFRESNO, California: Fresno State suspended two of its top men's basketball players last weekend and removed a third player from the...
(Photo credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images) Bam Adebayo posted a 19-point, 15-rebound double-double and the Miami Heat used a fourth-quarter...
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) Aleksander Barkov scored two goals and Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves as the host Florida...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) Dylan Strome scored the winner in the third round of the shootout and Pierre-Luc Dubois...
(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images) Nick Suzuki recorded a goal and three assists for the Montreal Canadiens, who extended their...
(Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images) Arkansas heads to Nashville, Tenn., for a Tuesday matchup against Vanderbilt with postseason...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) The 24 quarterbacks of the United Football League were expected to report to their teams'...
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) The Las Vegas Raiders will not tender a contract to wide receiver DJ Turner, a restricted...
(Photo credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Wide receiver Tee Higgins was tagged on Monday by the...
(Photo credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images) Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson announced his retirement from broadcasting...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Eagles are poised to release six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Matthew Stafford required only three weeks to accomplish what the 37-year-old quarterback...