Arkansas Heads to Texas Tech for BIG 12/SEC Challenge

Mike Cawood January 25, 2019

Who: #13 Texas Tech Red Raiders
What: Arkansas is playing in fifth Big 12/SEC Challenge
When: Saturday – Jan. 26, 2019 – 5 pm
Where: Bud Walton Arena – Fayetteville, Ark.
How (to follow):
– TV: SEC Network (Mike Morgan and Barry Booker)
– Watch ESPN Online
– Radio: Razorback/IMG Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
– Satellite Radio: Arkansas Broadcast –XM (388), Internet (979)
– Live Stats: Texas Tech Live Stats

– Arkansas Game Notes: https://bit.ly/2RPfqLs
– Texas Tech Game Notes: https://bit.ly/2B33qLY

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas will travel to Lubbock, Texas, to play in the Big 12/SEC Challenge versus #13 Texas Tech on Saturday (Jan. 26). Tip-off is set for 5 pm and the game will be telecast on ESPN2.

In the 78 previous meetings with the Red Raiders, Arkansas and Texas Tech are all square at 39-39.

The last time the teams met, which was in the 2016 edition of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, the Razorbacks won, 75-68 in overtime. Arkansas has won five of the last six in the series with Texas Tech and 11 of the last 15.

Arkansas is playing in its fifth consecutive Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Razorbacks are 2-2 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge with wins over Texas Tech (2016) and Oklahoma State (2018). Arkansas lost at Iowa State (2015) and at Oklahoma State (2017).

Arkansas’ current four-game stretch (Jan. 15-Jan. 26) is the toughest in the nation. Arkansas has already played two road games at nationally-ranked opponents (current #1 Tennessee and #20 Ole Miss). The Razorbacks now play at #13 Texas Tech. No other team in the nation will have played three road games versus top 25 teams over this same span.
Taking it one step further, while LSU was not ranked at the time and counting Texas Tech, four of Arkansas’s last five opponents are currently ranked among the AP Top 25 (#25 LSU, #1 Tennessee, #20 Ole Miss and #13 Texas Tech).
Arkansas is 2-4 in SEC play through six games and the Razorbacks were in a similar position last year to start the SEC slate. Like last year, the Razorbacks won their SEC opener before falling to 2-4. Arkansas rallied to finish the regular season with a 9-4 record, including a win in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Arkansas won two games at the SEC Tournament to be one of a league-record eight teams to play in the NCAA Tourney.
Isaiah Joe ranks seventh in the NCAA in 3-pointers made (3.78 per game) and leads all SEC freshmen in scoring (14.9 ppg), 3-pointers made and 3-point field goal percentage (.447) while ranking second among the league’s rookies in steals. Joe also leads all NCAA freshmen in 3-point field goal percentage while ranking second among NCAA freshmen in 3-pointers made.
Jalen Harris had six assists and no turnovers versus Missouri, marking the fifth game this season he has not committed a turnover. He ranks fifth in the NCAA and first in the SEC in assist to turnover margin (3.87).
Arkansas will return to Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday (Jan. 29) to host Georgia. Tip-off is set for 6 pm (CT).

For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.