FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ women’s team can’t afford to be dwelling on Tennessee today.
The Razorbacks (21-6, 10-5 SEC) can earn a first round bye in the SEC Wo m e n ’ s Tournament with a victory against South Carolina at 1 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
Of course, the Gamecocks (20-8, 9-6) are a good example of what can happen to a team after beating the Lady Volunteers on their home floor. South Carolina beat Tennessee 64-60 on Jan. 2 and, one week later, was blown out 68-47 by Arkansas.
The Razorbacks don’t want the Gamecocks to return the favor.
“South Carolina kind of did the same thing, because they beat Tennessee and then they came here and we had such a good win over them,” Arkansas senior guard Lyndsay Harris said. “We don’t want the win over Tennessee to make us feel like we’ve accomplished all we can accomplish. There’s a lot of work to be done.”
Six weeks ago, no one would have expected Arkansas to have so much on the line after the Razorbacks lost their first four conference games. An eight-game winning streak and Thursday’s 72-71 overtime victory against Tennessee - the program’s first in Knoxville - have propelled the Razorbacks into a three-way tie with LSU and Georgia for third in the conference race.
If Arkansas beats the Gamecocks, it would clinch a top-four finish and a first round bye in the conference tournament, which starts Thursday. Arkansas could get the third seed if Florida beats Tennessee and LSU beats Georgia today.
If Arkansas loses to South Carolina, the Razorbacks would be fifth or possibly sixth depending on the tiebreaker system.
The importance of the game has helped Coach Tom Collen keep his players focused on South Carolina after the euphoria of beating the Lady Vols wore off. Collen said he has thrown out the challenge to the Razorbacks that few teams seem to play well after beating the Lady Vols.
“They’re smart enough to understand South Carolina is a great team and there is a lot at stake,” Collen said. “With it being as clear cut as it is right now, it makes it pretty simple.
“If we want the bye, if we want to go down there and rest while the other teams are playing, we have to go take care of our business.”
TODAY’S GAME ARKANSAS WOMEN AT SOUTH CAROLINA WHEN 1 p.m. Central WHERE Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
RECORDS Arkansas 21-6, 10-5 SEC;
South Carolina 20-8, 9-6 RADIO Arkansas women’s radio network
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/26/2012