After a disappointing 72-53 loss to South Carolina, the Hogs will stay on the road to face Vanderbilt. The Commodores have won three straight games against Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri. This matchup is an important opportunity for the Razorbacks as they continue fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Previewing Vanderbilt
Chris Manon played a major role in Vanderbilt’s overtime win over Missouri, scoring 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He also added 11 rebounds, two steals, two blocks and two assists. AJ Hoggard is coming off an impressive performance as well, scoring 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Hoggard is one of the best playmakers in the SEC, averaging 4.6 assists per game, which ranks third in the conference.
Vanderbilt is averaging 80.4 points per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, 74.8% from the free-throw line and 32.8% from 3-point range. The Commodores are also active on defense, averaging 9.2 steals and four blocks per game.
Previewing the Hoop Hogs
Arkansas has two regular-season games remaining, and winning out would give the Hogs a much-needed boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes. They may once again be without Adou Thiero, who has been a key contributor this season. This means others will need to step up and play significant minutes against Vanderbilt.
In the loss to South Carolina, the Razorbacks struggled to find any offensive rhythm, scoring just 14 points in the first half. With the postseason on the line, Arkansas will need a strong finish to secure a tournament bid, starting with a win in Nashville. Freshman Karter Knox led the team with 11 points against South Carolina and has scored in double figures in five straight games. He will be a critical piece if Thiero is unavailable.
Broadcast Information
Time: 9 p.m. CST
Date: March 4
Location: Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: SEC Network
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