Arkansas coach Mike Anderson talked about how getting better performances from players off bench crucial in coming games.
Texas A&M game in February officially sold out
FAYETTEVILLE — The best home schedule of the Mike Anderson era has resulted in the third sellout of the year for Arkansas, as the Texas A&M game on Feb. 17 is officially sold out on the primary market.
It marks the third sellout of the year, as Razorback fans packed Verizon Arena to capacity on Dec. 16 and followed with another raucous crowd of nearly 19,000 two weeks later in Bud Walton Arena, when Arkansas knocked off its second top-20 opponent in a five-game span.
Arkansas is unbeaten in Bud Walton Arena this year at 8-0, including victories over No. 14 Minnesota and No. 19 Tennessee, where a combined 36,279 fans packed the building and created one of the best home court advantages in the country.
According to KenPom metrics, the Razorbacks have one of the top-five best home court advantages in the nation.
In Bud Walton Arena this year, Arkansas has a +181 scoring margin, including a 22.6 average margin of victory.
Arkansas opens a two-game homestand Wednesday night when LSU comes to town and fewer than 100 lower-level tickets remain to see the Razorback take on a Tiger team fresh off a road victory over No. 11 Texas A&M.
A new-look Missouri squad comes to Fayetteville this Saturday and under 600 upper-level tickets remain for the second of five Saturday SEC games in Bud Walton Arena.
The Razorbacks return home with a top-20 RPI and top-15 strength of schedule looking to jump back into the win column in what is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball this season.
Entering the week, the Southeastern Conference led the country with 11 top-70 RPI teams, including a nation-best nine teams with top-50 strength of schedules.
Jacobus named to ‘Bowerman’ preseason watch list
NEW ORLEANS — Two-time NCAA champion pole vaulter Lexi (Weeks) Jacobus has been named to The Bowerman 2018 Preseason Watch List, announced Monday afternoon by the USTFCCCA.
Jacobus is one of eight student-athletes from the Southeastern Conference, including Mikiah Brisco (LSU), Mady Fagan (Georgia), Sydney McLaughlin (Kentucky), Keturah Orji (Georgia), Raven Saunders (Ole Miss), Karissa Schweizer (Missouri) and Sammy Watson (Texas A&M) to be featured on the prestigious list of 10.
A four-time first team All-American, Jacobus returns this season from a 2017 campaign which saw her vault to a silver medal at the SEC Indoor Championships, a gold medal at the SEC Outdoor Championships and a silver medal at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
She holds a personal best in the event of 4.70m/15-5, the No. 2 mark in program history and a clearance which earned her an Olympic berth during her freshman season in 2016.
In addition to Jacobus, Razorbacks’ senior combined events performer and seven-time All-American Taliyah Brooks is received votes for the Preseason Watch List. The next Watch List will be announced on February 7.
The Bowerman 2018 Preseason Watch List
Mikiah Briscoe, LSU (Sprints/Hurdles)
Maggie Ewen, Arizona State (Throws)
Mady Fagan, Georgia (High Jump)
Lexi Jacobus, Arkansas (Pole Vault)
Sydney McLaughlin, Kentucky (Sprints/Hurdles)
Keturah Orji, Georgia (Jumps)
Raven Saunders, Ole Miss (Throws)
Karissa Schweizer, Missouri (Distance)
Ariana Washington, Oregon (Sprints)
Sammy Watson, Texas A&M (Mid-Distance)
Also Receiving Votes:
Taliyah Brooks (Arkansas), Jasmine Camacho-Quinn(Kentucky), Hannah Cunliffe (Oregon), Kendall Ellis (Southern California), Ednah Kurgat (New Mexico)
Cosper’s double-double not enough against Tide
FAYETTEVILLE — Devin Cosper collected her seventh career double-double against Alabama on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough.
The Crimson Tide led most of the way and hit free throws for an 83-76 win Sunday at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas trailed for much of the game and was down three points, 32-29, at the half
They rallied with a big third quarter outscoring Bama, 26-18, to lead 55-50 at the end of the frame.
Cosper dropped in 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, going 12-for-12 from the line but it was enough as Arkansas (10-6, 1-2 SEC) dropped a second straight SEC game. The Crimson Tide improved to 12-4, 2-1 SEC.
Alabama turned up the offensive intensity and got to the line, going 20-for-25 from the bonus stripe to come from behind in the final frame.
In addition to Cosper, Arkansas got double figures from Malica Monk with 21 points and Jailyn Mason with 12 points.
Notes
• Cosper was in double figures in the first half with 10 points in the first 20 minutes.
• Cosper scored 24 points … her sixth career 20+ point game.
• Cosper had a career-best 12-for-12 night from the line.
• Malica Monk finished with 21 points … her 14th game in double figures this year and her seventh game with 20+ points.
• Jailyn Mason scored 12 points … her ninth double figure scoring game of the year and her third consecutive.
Up Next
Arkansas plays four of its next five games on the road. The Razorbacks have back-to-back SEC road contests at Georgia (Jan. 11) and at Auburn (Jan. 14). They host Florida ((Jan. 18) and again go back-to-back with games at Missouri (Jan. 21) and at South Carolina (Jan 25).
Neighbors, Cosper after Razorbacks drop one to Tide
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors and Devin Cosper talked about the close loss to Alabama on Sunday afternoon.
Alabama coach talks about road win over Hogs
Alabama coach Kristy Curry talked with the media after the Crimson Tide’s 83-76 win over Arkansas on Sunday afternoon.
KNWA VIDEO: Anderson on ‘disappointing loss’
VIDEO COURTESY OF KNWA
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson talks about the “disappointing loss” to Auburn on the road Saturday.
