After a 95-73 shellacking in the first meeting on January 10, Auburn will travel to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, chasing the season sweep of No. 21 Arkansas.
The Razorbacks are red-hot entering this one, having won five of their last six games with a 12-1 mark at their home floor.
“Our guys are ready to go,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said. “Another great opportunity to continue to improve a resume that we’ve put a lot of really good work into.”
Averaging 11.4 points and eight rebounds per game in SEC play, Auburn big man KeShawn Murphy recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds in the first go-around – his first of three double-doubles this season – as Auburn outscored Arkansas 48-28 in the paint.
“Attention to details, drive and effort. That’s all it was. We came out as the more aggressive team, started early and we kept that the whole 40 minutes. That’s why we won that game,” said Murphy. “I feel very comfortable where we are in the team and the script. We’ve got to go out there and get it done.”
Darius Acuff, Jr., who scored 19 points in the last meeting and has earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times, leads the Razorbacks with 20.8 points per game and also ranks first in the league with 6.3 assists per game.
“He’s such a special player and does so many good things for them,” Pearl said. “It’s going to require another great effort as far as our one-on-one defense. He’s shown an ability to make contested shots at a high level. He’s special, he’s elite, and I know our guys are excited about the opportunity to go up against him again.”
After scoring 32 points in the last meeting against the Razorbacks, Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall was ruled out on Friday, per the SEC's availability report.
Auburn hopes to ride the hot hand of sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford, who is averaging 19 points and six assists in the Tigers’ last three games. He has recorded back-to-back 20-point games and averages 15.8 points per game in 27 career games against ranked opponents.
“I try to value possessions as much as I can,” Pettiford said. “Try to feed guys when they’re open and make the right decision.”
The Tigers will look to avoid a four-game losing streak at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN Saturday.
“There’s obviously a little bit of a revenge factor on their side,” Pearl said. They’re playing on their home floor, where they’re really good. They’ll be fired up and excited about the game.”
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