Tough test against Baylor up next for Arkansas basketball

No. 8 Baylor might have lost by 38 points in its season-opener, but there’s no doubt that the Bears will be ready when they take on the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

It is worth pointing out that the team on the other end of that blowout loss for Baylor was the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs, who shot 57.1% from the field as a team, totaled 25 assists and out-rebounded the Bears, 45-32.

As for the Razorbacks, they earned a 76-60 win over what will end up being a good Lipscomb team at the mid-major level. The Hogs saw a 15-point lead dwindle down to just four with under eight minutes to play in the game, and they then proceeded to go on a 16-4 run to end the contest.

VIDEO: Calipari, players postgame – Arkansas 76, Lipscomb 60

It’s safe to say that neither team performed how they wanted to in their respective openers, but only one got the result they wanted. It’ll be a lot tougher for Arkansas to be on the winning side next time out, as the Bears will be extremely hungry to play much better.

“We know they’re a better team than that,” Arkansas guard Johnell Davis said Wednesday. “We know they’re going to come out trying to fight so we gotta stay on our toes.”

Baylor was 24-11 overall last season and the Bears lost to Clemson in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That marked Baylor’s third straight second round exit following their national championship season in 2020-21 that featured an Elite Eight win over Arkansas.

ALSO READ: Johnell Davis blossoms in physical Arkansas debut

Head coach Scott Drew is in his 22nd season with the Bears, who have been ranked in 96 of the last 97 AP Polls. Drew is 3-1 coaching against Arkansas, and his team is 32-17 against ranked teams over the last four seasons, including a 16-8 mark away from home.

Drew was considered to be one of the top candidates for the open Kentucky job when John Calipari left for Arkansas over the offseason.

“He never called me on it,” Calipari said Wednesday after the win…

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Author : HawgBeat

Publish date : 2024-11-07 12:30:00

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