FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas basketball‘s will try to continue its surge toward the right side of the March Madness bubble Wednesday night (8 p.m., ESPN2) against Texas.
The Razorbacks (16-11, 5-9 SEC) are hoping to finalize a regular-season sweep over the Longhorns (16-11, 5-9). The Hogs went on the road and beat Texas 78-70 on Feb. 5. It was the first time since 1991 the longtime rivals met as conference foes, and the Hogs led by as many as 23 points before a late Texas rally.
Arkansas is coming off a 92-85 win over No. 16 Missouri, while the Longhorns suffered their worst loss of the season in an 84-69 defeat at South Carolina. It was the Gamecocks’ first SEC victory of the season.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for the latest basketball edition of the old Southwest Conference rivalry.
More: ‘I missed everything’: Zvonimir Ivisic bounces back in Arkansas basketball’s win over Missouri
More: How John Calipari’s halftime message sparked Arkansas basketball’s comeback win over Missouri
Can Arkansas basketball replicate its Tre Johnson defense?
The Longhorns’ dynamic freshman averages 20.2 points per game and scored 24 against the Hogs in early February, but he was highly inefficient in the loss, making just six of his 22 shot attempts. Johnson was able to produce an acceptable stat line thanks to 10 made free throws.
Karter Knox, Billy Richmond III, Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner will all spend time guarding Johnson. If the Razorbacks hold him to another cold shooting night in the rematch, they’ll have a great shot at completing the sweep.
What will the Hogs get from Adou Thiero?
Thiero fought through back pain to score 11 points, grab five rebounds and dish out four assists in Saturday’s win over Missouri. He led the Razorbacks in drawing six fouls.
But Thiero limped to the bench with 6:17 remaining and did not return. John Calipari didn’t provide any context to Thiero’s back issues in the postgame press conference and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his name pop up on the SEC Availability Report this week.
Thiero’s absence — or limitation — would be a big blow for the Hogs’ small roster.
Can the Arkansas front court build consistency?
Zvonimir Ivisic, Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo combined for zero points in a loss to No. 1 Auburn last week.
Two members of that trio bounced back with a much better showing against Missouri. Ivisic scored 20 points, while Aidoo had six with five rebounds and played strong defense.
Texas’ Arthur Kaluma and Kadin Shedrick gave the Hogs fits earlier this season, combining for 22 points and 21 rebounds. Arkansas needs to be strong on the inside and at worst make the front court battle a push.
Prediction
Just as they did after the win over Kentucky, the Hogs will follow a ranked victory with a triumph over Texas. Adou Thiero’s health is a serious concern, but the emerging play of Knox and Richmond III is raising the Razorbacks’ floor. Arkansas 77, Texas 71.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas basketball vs Texas: Scouting report, prediction
