No. 21 @RazorbackMBB Set For Saturday SEC Semifinal

AT A GLANCE
Behind a combined 46 points from the SEC’s top scoring duo of sophomore BOBBY PORTIS and junior MICHAEL QUALLS, second-seeded Arkansas snapped a seven-game skid in the SEC Tournament on Friday night to advance to the semifinals for the 12th time where it will take on third-seeded Georgia. It marks the Razorbacks’ first SEC semifinal appearance since 2008.

• Arkansas improved to 12-2 all-time in the SEC quarterfinals with its 80-72 win over Tennessee.
• Arkansas has won four its last five SEC semifinal appearances with the last coming 2008.
• Arkansas is looking to advance to the SEC Championship for the sixth time in program history.
• Portis is the second Razorback to win SEC Player of the Year, joining Corliss Williamson (94, 95).
• Portis and MICHAEL QUALLS are the top scoring duo in the SEC at 33.5 points per game.

#RAZORFACT
Arkansas has improved its seed in the SEC Tournament by at least two spots each of the last three years under head coach MIKE ANDERSON.

@RAZORBACKMBB FAST BREAK FACTS
SEC TOURNAMENT
• 12th SEC Tournament semifinal (5-6) appearance in its 24 years in the league.
• First SEC Tournament semifinal appearance since 2008.
• Won four of its last five SEC Tournament semifinal appearances.
• Snapped a seven-game losing streak at the SEC Tournament with 80-72 win over Tennessee in the quarterfinals.
• Have won at least one SEC Tournament game in six of seven appearances as the No. 2 seed.
• No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament is a program-best since 2008.
• Portis’ 26 points were the fifth-most by a Razorback at the SEC Tournament.
• Just the second time two players have scored 20 points in an SEC Tournament game – Portis (26) & Qualls (20).
• Set a program SEC Tournament record for free throws made (32) and free throws attempted (39) against Tennessee.

OVERALL
• Most overall wins (25) since 1994-95 and the most SEC wins (13) since 1994.
• Currently No. 22 in the ESPN RPI with 10 wins over the top 100.
• No. 5 seed in the West Region in Joe Lunardi’s most recent Bracketology released on March 13 that includes five SEC teams.
• One of 19 teams in the country that had 24 or more regular season wins.
• Owned a 7-3 record in SEC games decided by five points or less.

OFFENSE
• Rank in the top 20 nationally in points (79.1/10th), assists (16.7/7th), assist/turnover ratio (1.4/11th), turnover margin (+4.4/7th) and offensive rebounds (13.0) – all SEC bests.
• Lead the SEC in overall scoring (79.1) and in SEC games (75.1).
• Won 30 straight games when leading at the half.
• Portis and Qualls have combined for 30+ points 21 times (16-5) and 40+ points in seven games (7-0).
• Portis is just three points shy of joining RASHAD MADDEN, ALANDISE HARRIS and MICHAEL QUALLS with 1,000 career points.

THE #FASTEST40
• Own a 20-0 record when forcing 15+ turnovers.
• Committed 15+ turnovers four times while opponents have done so 20 times.
• SEC leader in assist/turnover ratio, turnover margin and steals (8.0).
• Only eight opponents have finished with a positive assist/turnover ratio.
• Forced its opponents into double-digit turnovers in 18 halves.

AGAINST GEORGIA
All-Time Series: Arkansas leads, 19-14
At The SEC Tournament: Arkansas leads, 5-3

This Season
Arkansas and Georgia met just once in the regular season which was the opening night of SEC play on Jan. 6 in Athens on ESPN Super Tuesday. The Razorbacks trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, but were able to pick up the comeback win behind a combined 53 points from BOBBY PORTIS (21), MICHAEL QUALLS (17) and ALANDISE HARRIS (15). Redshirt sophomore MANUALE WATKINS and freshman ANTON BEARD joined the aforementioned trio in playing the final 14 minutes of the game.

SEC Tournament
Saturday will be the ninth meeting between the two programs at the SEC Tournament and the first since 2010 at Bridgestone Arena when the Bulldogs were victorious in the first round. The Razorbacks own a 5-3 edge in the series at the SEC Tournament while Georgia has taken the last two meetings.

CLOSING IN ON HISTORY
In less than two full years as a Razorback, sophomore BOBBY PORTIS has already put his name in the conversation with some of Arkansas’ elite players in program history. With at least two games left, Portis is closing in on a few more records.
• Just three points shy of becoming the first player in Arkansas history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds as a sophomore.
• Trying to become the third player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau as a sophomore. TODD DAY did so in 1990 and SCOTTY THURMAN accomplished the feat in 1994.