NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: Texas Tech rises, Baylor and Providence fall
By Joey Loose
18. Arkansas (21-6)
Floundering and losers of their first three SEC games, Arkansas has come a long way in the weeks that have passed. The Razorbacks certainly chose a great time to catch fire, with a couple of very great performances to get themselves back into the national conversation. This past week, they continued that success and prolonged their recent run of success in the process.
On Tuesday, the Razorbacks picked up another road win, this time taking care of Missouri 76-57 in Columbia. Arkansas played one of their most efficient offensive games of the year, with Stanley Umude’s 23 points leading the effort. Two days later, the Razorbacks’ defense helped them add another important win, getting a 58-48 win against Tennessee, securing another win over a ranked team. Both JD Notae and Jaylin Williams had 13 points, though Williams’ 16 rebounds certainly helped the cause.
Arkansas has now won eleven of their last twelve games, including big wins over LSU and Auburn during that streak of success. This team is 10-4 in league play and in great shape, really pulling things together after that tough stretch around New Year’s. It’s incredible to think how good this resume would look had they not lost home games to Hofstra and Vanderbilt, but Arkansas must look forward, with a road game at Florida and a home date with Kentucky looming ahead.