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 Pat Bradley, leading the Pigs in scoring, was held to six in the first meeting. |
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It will be Senior Night in Fayetteville and the Razorbacks feature three of the top seniors in the SEC with 6-8, 200-pound center Derek Hood, 5-10, 165 point guard Kareem Reid and 6-2, 195 guard Pat Bradley in the starting lineup. Ellis says each is an impressive performer. Since that trio arrived in Fayetteville, they have won 41 of 47 home games.
Bradley, the top three-point shooter in school history, is averaging 13.9 points and 2.4 rebounds. He has made 344 treys, which is two shy of the SEC record held by Allan Houston of Tennessee. Hood is averaging 12.3 points and 10 rebounds. He is the second leading rebounder in Hog history. Reid is averaging 9.9 points and 4.8 assists and is number two all-time in assists for the Razorbacks.
Coach Nolan Richardson has been juggling his starting lineup in recent weeks. He lists 6-8 freshman Chris Jefferies, who is averaging 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, as a starter along with 6-5 Chris Walker. Walker, a sophomore, is averaging 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds. Freshman Brandon Dean came off the bench in the first Auburn game to lead the Razorbacks with 20 points as he made seven of 11 shots.
Ellis says in his opinion the Razorbacks have already secured a spot in the NCAA field. In fact, he made that statement on Sunday as guest studio host with John Saunders on ABC's college basketball coverage. Ellis says he enjoyed the national podium and the ability to do some lobbying for the SEC. Arkansas has been in the Top 25 for most of the season, but is currently not ranked. However, a victory over the Tigers would probably change that.
Although Auburn has already clinched the SEC West and overall SEC regular season titles, the Tigers are playing for more than just pride. If AU continues to win, the Tigers will be in line for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament and would have an excellent chance to be placed in the South Regional, which would mean a first round game in SEC country at either Knoxville, Tenn., or Orlando, Fla.
Auburn won the first meeting by an 83-66 score on Jan. 6th. Arkansas was ranked 18th at that time and had won five straight games against Auburn, which was ranked 14th at that time. Chris Porter scored 20 points for the Tigers and pulled down eight rebounds. Doc Robinson scored 19 points and dished out five assists. Mamadou N'diaye had 12 rebounds, eight points and four blocked shots. Auburn out-rebounded the Razorbacks 46-35 that night and had just nine turnovers to 17 for the visitors.
On Auburn's last trip to Fayetteville, the home team was a 107-83 winner. The Razorbacks lead the overall series 10-6.
Auburn had hoped to get freshman David Hamilton back for this game. Although he is practicing, the 6-9 forward is still not ready for game action, Ellis says. Hamilton suffered a broken leg in a pickup game on Christmas Eve.
Senior Adrian Chilliest has played well off the bench, taking a role that Hamilton played early. The native of Little Rock, Ark., says he is looking forward to Wednesday's game. "I have not won there the last four years and it would be exciting to do that," he says. "I have confidence in this team that it can do it."
Chilliest says Auburn shouldn't be bothered by not playing over the weekend. "Everybody is trying to get their legs back," he says. "This team stays so focused. We shouldn't have any problem getting ready to take care of business."
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