LIKE IT IS

Razorbacks try to avoid bursting bubble

Arkansas junior forward Marshawn Powell (33) attempts to make a move around Kentucky freshman forward Alex Poythress during the first half of play Saturday, March 2, 2013, in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

— It is the time of year when every sports media person in the country starts talking and writing about RPI.

Ratings Percentage Index.

It is used to guess, because that’s basically all anyone can do right now, which 68 teams will be in the NCAA Tournament field.

RPI doesn’t really mean as much as we make it out to mean.

A few years ago your trusty scribe attended a mock selection in Indianapolis hosted by the NCAA for selected members of the United States Basketball Writers Association. It has become a yearly practice because it is supposed to enlighten the media as to how intense and complicated the process is.

Many things were learned that night, including that the role of RPI has diminished.

A few of the more important things the selection committee considers when determining at-large teams is how a team finished (basically its last 10 games), injuries (that includes who is too hurt to play in the tournament), how teams fared against top 50 teams and how they fared against top 100 teams.

The number 20, as in victories, doesn’t mean squat.

Never has, really. It was always a myth.

So if the Arkansas Razorbacks beat Missouri tonight and Texas A&M on Saturday to go 20-11 in regular season and 11-7 in SEC play, it means the Hogs probably still need a couple of victories in the SEC Tournament to be on the March Madness bubble.

Crazier things have happened.

If the Hogs could win four of the next five games, that would make them 7-3 in their final 10 games with quality victories over Kentucky and Missouri (twice).

The Razorbacks have four quality victories right now - Oklahoma, Florida, Missouri and Kentucky - and that would go to five with a victory tonight.

What tonight’s game could be is an elimination game for the NCAA Tournament bubble. If that isn’t enough pressure for the Hogs, throw in the fact they have struggled mightily on the road.

The other biggie is that it also marks Mike Anderson’s first return since leaving Missouri for Arkansas.

He should get a resounding ovation of thanks for what he achieved while coaching the Tigers, which included an Elite Eight appearance.

This game will be much more like a rivalry showdown than when the Tigers fell to the Hogs, 73-71, in Walton Arena on Feb. 16. First, the Tigers will want a dose of vengeance and, second, it would not digest well if Anderson won yet another game on Missouri’s home court.

If the Razorbacks are going to have a chance tonight they are going to have to build off Saturday’s convincing victory over Kentucky. That victory was because of defense, an unrelenting attack on the Wildcats that rattled them so badly they were never able to settle into their half-court offense.

Kentucky had 19 turnovers that led to 28 points for the Razorbacks, and that’s what Hawgball is about - taking away opportunities from opponents and giving them to the Hogs.

A prime example of what can happen when players listen to Anderson is being seen every game in Marshawn Powell, who has gone from being a scorer to being a guy who wants to compete on both ends of the court.

Powell is the go-to guy on offense and a key stopper on defense these days.

He needs to stay out of foul trouble tonight against Alex Oriakhi for the Hogs to have a legitimate shot at winning in what will be a very hostile arena.

He needs to let the game come to him on offense. In other words, the offense needs to go inside out with him touching it on most trips down the court.

The Hogs’ hopes for March Madness continue tonight.

Sports, Pages 17 on 03/05/2013