Spotlight

General News
Longhorns return to Fayetteville to renew rivalry with Razorbacks

Fayetteville, AR (Sports Network) - The seventh-ranked Texas Longhorns make their first appearance in Fayetteville in 18 years, as they face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a battle of former Southwest Conference rivals.

The Longhorns enter the tilt fresh off a dominating performance, as the rolled over Appalachian State, 78-43, on Friday. It was the team's largest margin of victory this season, topping the 30-point triumph of Stetson (68-38) to open the 2008-09 campaign. Winners of two straight, Texas now stands at 11-2 overall, with both of its losses coming to programs ranked in the Top 25.

As for Arkansas, it is red-hot at the moment, notching nine straight wins for the first time since 2006. Included in that run is a 96-88 upset of Big 12 power and previously fourth-ranked Oklahoma exactly a week ago. The team followed that highlight with an 86-75 besting of North Texas on Saturday. The Razorbacks are now off to a surprising 11-1 start and that includes a perfect 9-0 ledger at home.

Arkansas leads the all-time series with Texas, 85-65, that dates back to 1924 and takes into account a 45-20 advantage in Fayetteville. The Longhorns won the last encounter, 80-76, in 2006 in Austin, but this is the program's first trip to Fayetteville since dropping a 101-89 decision to the Razorbacks in 1991.

The Longhorns have made things difficult for opposing clubs, as they are allowing foes to score just 59.9 ppg and shoot only 38.6 percent from the floor. Offensively, Texas is paced by A.J. Abrams, who is averaging 19.0 ppg on the strength of 44.8 percent shooting from long range. Damion James has also been a force with 14.4 ppg and a team-best 8.9 rpg to his credit, and Gary Johnson checks in with 10.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg off the bench. On Friday, Dexter Pittman set career-highs with 21 points and 11 rebounds to guide the Longhorns in a romp of Appalachian State. Johnson added 16 points and nine boards, while James logged 14 points and 13 rebounds. Texas won the battle on the boards, 46-35, and it also held Appalachian State to a dismal 30.2 percent shooting effort from the field.

The Razorbacks have done an outstanding job at the offensive end of the court this season, as they are averaging a healthy 82.7 ppg behind a solid 47.4 percent shooting from the floor. Michael Washington leads the squad in both scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.4 rpg) and he is also making good on 60.3 percent of his field goal attempts. Courtney Fortson turns in 15.3 ppg and a team-high 7.3 apg, while Stefan Welsh contributes 13.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Rotnei Clarke rounds out the double-figure scorers, with 12.7 ppg, and he is the team's top three-point threat (.427). On Saturday, Washington poured in 34 points and ripped down 11 caroms to lead Arkansas past North Texas. Welsh dropped in 19 points, and Fortson put forth 12 points and nine helpers. Clarke chipped in 11 points for the Razorback, who shot 50.9 percent from the floor and converted on 25-of-34 free-throw attempts.


Albums

  • College Basketballs 25 Best RivalriesCollege Basketball's 25 Best Rivalries
  • Most Exciting College Football Game Finishes in Past 5 YearsMost Exciting College Football Game Finishes in Pa
  • Most Disappointing College Football Coaching ErasMost Disappointing College Football Coaching Eras
  • Toughest places to play in NCAA basketballToughest places to play in NCAA basketball
  • College Football Coaching Changes for 2008College Football Coaching Changes for 2008
  • Top 20 Football Factories in TexasTop 20 Football Factories in Texas
  • NCAA Tournament Players to Watch: East RegionNCAA Tournament Players to Watch: East Region

View More Albums

Video Gallery

  • Meet Ronnie WingoMeet Ronnie Wingo
  • The Tyler Tettleton StoryThe Tyler Tettleton Story
  • Bryce Petty Making a Name for HimselfBryce Petty Making a Name for Himself
  • Meet Nathan ScheelhaaseMeet Nathan Scheelhaase
  • Joe Chaisson chooses ArkansasJoe Chaisson chooses Arkansas
  • Chris Raggett Fills the ShoesChris Raggett Fills the Shoes

View More Videos

Photo Gallery

  • NCAA Tournament Players to Watch: East RegionNCAA Tournament Players to Watch: East Region
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Arkansas Razorbacks FootballArkansas Razorbacks Football
  • Texas Top 20 H.S. Football ProgramsTexas Top 20 H.S. Football Programs
  • Texas Top 20 H.S. Football ProgramsTexas Top 20 H.S. Football Programs
  • College Football Coaching Changes for 2008College Football Coaching Changes for 2008
  • Toughest places to play in NCAA basketballToughest places to play in NCAA basketball
  • Most Disappointing College Football Coaching ErasMost Disappointing College Football Coaching Eras
  • Most Exciting College Football Game Finishes in the Past 5 YearsMost Exciting College Football Game Finishes in th
  • College Basketball's 25 Best RivalriesCollege Basketball's 25 Best Rivalries

View More Photos

View More From Your School

Forums

Comments

Comment Script
Post this page to: del.icio.us Yahoo! MyWeb Digg reddit Furl Blinklist Spurl

Comments

Name
E-mail (Will not appear online)
Homepage
Title
Comment
;-) :-) :-D :-( :-o >-( B-) :oops: :-[] :-P
To prevent automated Bots form spamming, please enter the text you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.



Scores/Schedules

Standings

Recent Articles

  • Rockwall-Heath pair commit

    Senior Quarterback Drew Hollingshead and Linebacker Austin Moss have committed to Houston and Arkansas respectively. Full Article

  • Longhorns return to Fayetteville to renew r

    The seventh-ranked Texas Longhorns make their first appearance in Fayetteville in 18 years, as they face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in a batt Full Article

  • Arkansas seeks upset of No. 4 Oklahoma

    The Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC are considered underdogs on their home court tonight, as they welcome the mighty Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 to Full Article

More Articles

 

Members

  • Belinda Belinda
  • BrandonIngram BrandonIngram
  • rhico rhico
  • GeneDavis GeneDavis
  • GeraldColasJr GeraldColasJr
  • Dtru3 Dtru3
  • Jake17 Jake17
  • KimBurge KimBurge
  • Midlossoontobe1LB Midlossoontobe1LB
  • Terry78 Terry78
  • Cody_Williams Cody_Williams
  • CorneliusChristopher CorneliusChristopher
  • DavidSimers DavidSimers
  • oldhog oldhog

Welcome to the New Prep Ticket

Enter your zip code to see all the great PrepTicket content in your area.

Go Now

Your Ticket to Sports Action!