This article originally appeared in the January 30, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.
The men’s basketball team is winless outside the state of
Arkansas, but head coach Mike Anderson said he thinks his team can get their
first road win tomorrow night in his home state.
Anderson, a graduate of Jackson Olin High in Alabama, will lead
Arkansas against the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa for a rare Thursday night game.
The Crimson Tide have the same overall record as the Razorbacks,
12-7, but are one game ahead in SEC play, with a 4-2 record.
“Alabama is a team that’s playing pretty good basketball right
now,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be a big challenge for our basketball
team.”
They are led by a pair of guards, junior Trevor Releford and
sophomore Trevor Lacey. Releford is averaging 16.1 points per game and Lacey is
averaging 12.1 points per game.
“(Releford) is a real key to their basketball team, as well as a
guy like Lacey, who has really hit some incredible shots for them,” Anderson
said.
In order to have success against them, Arkansas must keep
Releford out of the lane, Anderson said.
“He’s a real clever basketball player and he’s like a little
coach out on the floor,” Anderson said. “It seems like when he’s playing well,
they play well.”
Despite early struggles, Alabama has started to “find their
niche” offensively, Anderson said. In SEC play, they are shooting 40.2 percent
from three-point range.
Last season, senior guard Andrew Steele accumulated 26 points,
12 rebounds, and nine assists in two games against Arkansas, proving to be an
“x-factor,” Anderson said.
For the Razorbacks, junior forward Marshawn Powell is averaging
16.7 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game, but Anderson said the rest of
the team needs to step up.
“Powell has been a one-man wrecking force for us,” Anderson
said. “He’s had career highs in scoring and in rebounds, so he’s showing that
leadership we talk about. Now it’s important for other guys to help him. He
can’t do it by himself.”
Junior Coty Clarke and freshman Jacorey Williams will also be
returning to their home state. Both forwards played high school basketball in
Birmingham.
“They’re going to be excited,” Anderson said. “The key is to
make sure we funnel that energy in the right way.”
Anderson said he thinks Williams will play a lot more during
this six-day stretch in which the Razorbacks travel to Alabama and play at home
against Tennessee and No. 4 Florida.
“I think he’s a tough matchup,” Anderson said. “His versatility
can cause problems for people.”
Arkansas must be prepared to face Alabama’s “mid-tempo” style of
play, as well as their pressure defense, Anderson said.
“We have to make plays and make shots,” Anderson said. “If we do
that and play for 40 minutes, we’ll be in a good position.”
The
game is set to tip-off at 8 p.m. and will air on ESPN2.
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