Razorback Basketball Returns To Both National Polls

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Coming off back-to-back 20-point SEC wins for the first time since 1993, the Arkansas men’s basketball team found itself back in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll on Monday. The Razorbacks came in at No. 24 in the AP Poll and No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

It marks the fourth time this season that Arkansas (18-5, 7-3) has been ranked in both polls, while it’s the latest in a season that the Razorbacks have been ranked since 1999.

When Arkansas takes the floor at Auburn Arena Tuesday night, it will mark the 10th game this season it’s played as a ranked team. Currently No. 24 in the ESPN RPI, the Razorbacks will look to hold onto at least a share of second place in the league standings with a win. The Arkansas and Auburn matchup will be one of three college basketball games featured on ESPNU on Tuesday with an 8 p.m. CT tipoff.

For the first time in program history, Arkansas has held five-straight SEC opponents to less than 65 points. The feat hasn’t been accomplished in league play since 1984 when the Razorbacks were in the Southwest Conference (SWC).

Arkansas leads the six SEC categories and ranks in the top 20 in five national categories, including offensive rebounds (13.6/19th) and assists (16.8/11th). Led by the SEC’s second-highest scoring duo (32.8 PPG) of sophomore Bobby Portis and junior Michael Qualls, Arkansas leads the league and ranks 14th nationally in scoring (79.3).

@RazorbackMBB Quick Hits
• Part of a three-way tie for second place in the SEC at 7-3.
• Best start through the first 10 SEC games since 1997-98.
• Won back-to-back SEC games by 20 points for the first time since 1993 … never won three straight by 20 points.
• Currently No. 24 in the ESPN RPI with seven wins over the top 100.
• One of five teams (Duke, Kansas, Providence, Virginia) with two top 25 RPI road wins – Georgia (No. 21) & SMU (No. 23).
• No. 6 seed in the East Region in Joe Lunardi’s most recent Bracketology released on Feb. 9 that included six SEC teams.
• Rank in the top 20 nationally in points (79.3/14th), offensive rebounds (13.6/19th), assists (16.8/11th), assist/turnover ratio (1.4/14th) and turnover margin (+4.3/10th).
• Own a 4-2 record in SEC games decided by five points or less and have won three conference games after trailing at the half.
• Won 24 straight games when leading at the half.
• Portis leads the SEC in overall scoring (17.7) and in league play (19.0).
• Own a 15-0 record when forcing 15+ turnovers.
• Committed 15+ turnovers four times while opponents have done so 15 times.
• Lead the SEC in assist/turnover ratio (1.4), turnover margin (+4.3) and steals (8.0).