Basketball (W)

Preview - Arkansas @ Vanderbilt

Mario Bravante
Mario Bravante January 5, 2022

INFO
Date: Thursday, Jan. 6
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Opponent: Vanderbilt
Location: Memorial Gymnasium
TV: SEC Network
LISTEN
LIVE STATS

LAST TIME OUT

  • Arkansas Women’s Basketball opened conference play with a 70-63 loss to No. 7 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon in Bud Walton Arena.
  • The Razorbacks held a 48-45 edge after the third period, but the Lady Vols controlled the final period 25-15 to claim the victory.
  • Arkansas’ effort in the final period was hampered with five Razorbacks fouling out of the game.
  • Senior guard Amber Ramirez led Arkansas with 26 points and six rebounds. She sparked a Razorback rally in the second period and nailed one of her five 3-pointers to tie the game at 57 in the final period.
  • Ramirez made 10 field goals in addition to her 3-pointers and added one free throw.
  • Makayla Daniels followed with 11 points while Sasha Goforth supplied nine, just a point away from double figures after achieving that standard in the last seven consecutive games.
  • Tennessee had five players scoring in double figures with Tamari Key leading the squad with 17 points.
  • The Vols outrebounded Arkansas 50-36 and converted 23 of 36 free throws.
  • Arkansas hit 9 of 11 free throws and had a significant advantage in turnovers, 20-9, which included eight steals by the Razorbacks, but the Hogs only managed a slim edge in points off those turnovers, 14-10.
  • Goforth blocked five shots, a new career-high. It was her fourth game this season with 3+ rejections.
  • Samara Spencer matched her career-best on the glass, pulling down six boards.

STORYLINES

  • As 2022 gets underway, Arkansas is 10-4, following a loss in their conference opener.
  • Even despite losses to Creighton and #7 Tennessee, the Hogs are 26th in the NET rankings.
  • In what was a tightly contested game throughout, the Hogs fell to the Lady Vols, 70-63.
  • The Razorbacks are headed to Nashville on Thursday, where they will tangle with Vanderbilt.
  • It will be Vandy’s SEC opener, as the Commodores’ first two games have been postponed.
  • It will be the first time the two teams have met since 2020, as last year’s game was canceled.
  • Arkansas filled that opening with UConn, and beat the Huskies, 90-87, in an instant classic.
  • Amber Ramirez is a big game player, and that was on display once again vs. No. 7 Tennessee.
  • Ramirez went for 26 points in the game, a new season high.
  • She was the only Hog to score more than 15 points against the Lady Vols, who led the nation in FG percentage defense going into the game.
  • Ramirez also went for 20 against No. 2 UConn, helping keep the Hogs in striking distance of the Huskies all game long.
  • That mark led the team. She also hit three of her six long balls.
  • Ramirez’s averages in the seven game she’s played against top-5 teams while on the Hill are up over her normal averages: 17.3 PPG on 46.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from long range.
  • Expanded out to top-10 teams, the same trend is evident: in 11 games, Ramirez has averaged 17 PPG on 47 percent from the field and 49 percent from three.

SCOUTING VANDERBILT

  • Vanderbilt comes into the contest at 9-5 under first year coach Shea Ralph.
  • As previously mentioned, the Commodores have not played an SEC game yet, but come into the Arkansas game riding a four game winning streak.
  • Arkansas and Vandy have one common opponent in Little Rock. The Trojans beat Vandy 56-40, while the Hogs beat Little Rock 73-39.
  • Senior guard Jordyn Cambridge is the leader for Vandy, and she is a defensive menace. Her 4.1 steals per game is the third best mark in the NCAA. It is the best mark in the Power 5.
  • She is also leading the ‘Dores in rebounds (5.4 RPG) and Assists (4.5 APG). Additionally, Cambridge is chipping in 10.2 PPG.
  • Senior forward Brinae Alexander leads Vandy in scoring, averaging a healthy 14.2 PPG.
  • Freshman Iyana Moore also figures to be involved, as she was recently named the SEC’s Freshman of the Week.
  • In the ‘Dores win vs. Alabama State, Moore hit nine threes. She finished the game with 32 points.
  • Moore is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 PPG. She’s already hit 32 threes this season.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Arkansas Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @RazorbackWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RazorbackWBB. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, “Kickin’ It In The Neighborhood” for an inside look at the Razorback women’s basketball program and check out The Neighborhood podcasts at CoachNeighbors.com.

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