colgate said:
Need your input on Ky-Ark. Like Ky. Looks easy but I'll wait for your analysis.
Chalk Talk: Arkansas has beaten Kentucky 3 consecutive times at Bud Walton Arena: 77-76 in OT in 2011, 73-60 in 2013, and 87-85 in OT in 2014... Razorbacks guard Dusty Hannahs is shooting 60.8% on 3 pointers (14 of 23) in the past 3 games.... Arkansas is 75-9 at Walton Arena under coach Mike Anderson, including 8-1 TY w/ a loss to Akron... Kentucky is 1-3 in road games with a victory at Alabama and losses at UCLA, LSU, and Auburn... Razorbacks guard Jabril Durham is averaging 7.4 assists to lead the SEC and rank 3rd nationally... The Wildcats, who lost at Auburn 75-70 on Saturday, are 30-6 under Coach Calipari after a loss. The Wildcats last lost b2b games in 2014 to Arkansas at home 71-67... The Razorbacks are 11-22 against Kentucky since joining the SEC, but 7-5 in Fayetteville. Kentucky is averaging 14.8 offensive rebounds per game to lead the SEC.
Notable Quotes:
"Going into today's Ark-Ken game, Anthon Bell is shooting 47.4% (55 of 116) on 3 pointers and averaging a team high 17.1 ppg. He's been even better in SEC play, shooting 55.3% (21 of 38) from 3 pt range and averaging 19.6ppg."
"Arkansas is the only school in the power 5 conferences and one of only 5 schools in division I with 3 players averaging 15 or more ppg. Anthlon Bell (17.1), Moses Kingsley (16.9), and Dusty Hannahs (16.0)."
"Arkansas and Kentucky rank 1st and 3rd in field goal % in conference games. The Razorbacks are shooting 47.6% to lead the SEC in league games while Kentucky is 3rd at 45.7%, behind LSU (47.1). Arkansas is way out front in 3 pt. shooting at 43 of 86 (50%) in conference play, with Vanderbilt in 2nd place at 42.7%, Kentucky ranks 9th in league games at 32.6%"
"Kentucky leads the SEC with a +8.2 rebounding margin per game in SEC play. The wildcats are 2nd overall with a +7.4 rebounding margin, trailing SoCar (+9.5). The hogs rank 6th in all games at +2.9 and 6th in league games with a +0.0 margin."
"Arkansas has dubbed the game a white out and asked fans to wear white tonight."
"Kentucky reserve guard Dominique Hawkins (high ankle sprain) might see his first action since 01/02."
Thoughts:
Cats will have their way inside on the hogs and dominate the glass given second chances galore. Kingsley will not be able to handle self on the post for the hogs. Arkansas will once again rely on outside shooting to remain hot. As noted in article summary, hogs do indeed get it up for Kentucky and usually play a very close contest; I expect similar tonight. Arkansas has been on fire from perimeter and shooting the rock extremely well; they beat standing SEC record against Mizzou w/ 62.7% from the floor and faired better than expected in losing effort in the bayou. The dichotomy of Ark H/A stats is usually skewed, as Arkansas does practice at Bud Walton and shooting % is better.