Men's Basketball to Face Arkansas on ESPN Thursday Evening
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2009
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Interim head coach Philip Pearson and the University of Alabama men's basketball team travel to Arkansas Thursday evening looking to put a tumultuous few days in the rear-view mirror and even its SEC record before a national television audience on ESPN at 8 p.m. CST.
Pearson took over the reins of the Crimson Tide program following head coach Mark Gottfried's resignation on Monday afternoon. Pearson, however, is no stranger to the Tide, having served as an assistant coach for the past 10 and a half seasons.
"Our guys have worked real hard the last couple of days in practice and I've been real impressed with how they've gone about their business," said Pearson. "I think they're looking forward to getting a game under their belt and I am too."
The Crimson Tide will arrive in ice-covered Fayetteville with a 2-3 record in SEC play after Saturday's 61-51 home loss to SEC leader Kentucky. Overall, UA is 12-7 and will be searching for its first road win of the season on Thursday.
While that loss saw the Tide's offense struggle, the defense assembled arguably its best effort of the season, holding UK to 19 first-half points and its second-fewest points this season. Only North Carolina managed to hold UK to fewer points this season. Additionally, the Wildcats shot just 38.8 percent, their second-worst performance of the season and committed 23 turnovers against the Tide.
Reigning SEC Freshman of the Week JaMychal Green leads the squad into Walton Arena after scoring a team-high 15 points in Saturday's 61-51 loss to Kentucky. He continues to lead all SEC freshmen in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and is 10th in scoring (9.2 ppg).
Despite a quiet outing against Kentucky, senior Alonzo Gee leads the team in scoring with 13.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and has hit double-figures in 16 of UA's 19 games this season.
Arkansas has struggled of late, going 0-4 in the SEC this season after jumping out to a 12-1 start to the season with wins over Oklahoma and Texas.
The Razorbacks are averaging 76.2 points per game, led by Michael Washington's 16.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Washington is the only player in the SEC currently averaging a double-double.
He is also one of four Razorbacks in double-figures followed by Courtney Fortson (14.5), Stefan Welsh (12.7) and Rotnei Clark (10.4). The Razorbacks are undergoing a youth movement, leading the SEC in starts, points and assists by freshmen this season.
Following the contest at Arkansas, the Tide will have a quick turnaround before hosting Georgia in Coleman Coliseum on Saturday to close out the month of January. Tipoff between the Tide and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 p.m.
