Vols can't sneak up on Hogs

Arkansas' Alandise Harris (2) can't find an opening as he is guarded by Tennessee's Willie Carmichael III (24) and Drek Reese (23) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Patrick Murphy-Racey)

FAYETTEVILLE -- The last time Arkansas won back-to-back SEC games, Tennessee ruined the good vibes.

Arkansas will try to keep the Vols from doing it again tonight in a rematch at Walton Arena. Tipoff is 8 p.m. with the game televised on ESPNU.

"They shouldn't beat us, so we're ready," Razorbacks senior forward Alandise Harris said. "We're going to be pumped."

The Razorbacks (15-4, 4-2) were off to a 2-0 conference start when Tennessee (12-6, 4-2) beat them 74-69 at Thompson-Boling Arena two weeks ago.

Tennessee built a 16-point second-half lead, but Arkansas pulled within 72-69 with five seconds left when freshman guard Anton Beard was fouled on a three-point shot attempt and went to the free-throw line with a chance to tie the game.

Beard missed all three free throws, including the last attempt on purpose, hoping Arkansas could get a rebound that instead went to the Vols.

"I feel like it is payback," Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis said of tonight's game. "The last game, they beat us at our own game."

The Vols outscored the Razorbacks 27-15 in points off of turnovers, a stat Arkansas usually dominates.

Tennessee is one of four teams -- along with Iowa State, Dayton and Ole Miss -- to score more points off turnovers than Arkansas and the Vols' 12-point advantage is twice that of any other team.

The Razorbacks had 18 turnovers compared to 14 for the Vols, whose pressure defense not only slowed down Arkansas but caused ball-handling mistakes that led to fast-break baskets for Tennessee.

"If you're weak with the basketball, you make bad decisions, they're going to make you pay for it," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said.

Beard, who scored a season-high 12 points to help fuel the comeback, said the Razorbacks didn't begin attacking with a sense of urgency until midway through the second half.

"I feel like just the last few minutes we started playing Arkansas basketball," Beard said. "We've got to be in attack mode the whole game for this game."

Tennessee shot 50.9 percent from the field and outscored Arkansas 40-32 on points in the lane.

"We didn't play like we're capable of playing," Anderson said. "They had more energy than we did.

"I want our defense to play at the highest level."

Missing free throws at the end of the Tennessee game was upsetting, Beard said, but he didn't let it bother him beyond the next day.

"Then it's over with," he said. "It happened, and it's in the past. It's just a mind-set you've got to have."

Beard was on the court at Mizzou Arena last Saturday when Arkansas held on to win 61-60 after Tigers guard Wes Clark missed two free throws with 3.3 seconds left.

Beard said he was happy to win the game, but said he empathized with Clark.

"It is amazing how the tables turned," Beard said. "I feel for him."

Anderson said the close victories at Missouri on Saturday and in overtime last Thursday against Alabama are a step in the right direction.

"It just shows you guys aren't panicking," Anderson said. "With all the circumstances and all the things that are taking place, they're staying in the moment and making plays."

Plus, Tennessee Coach Donnie Tyndall said he understands Arkansas has extra incentive tonight after losing to Tennessee two weeks ago, but he said he would expect nothing but the best effort from Arkansas even if it had beaten Tennessee.

"We're not going to give them any bulletin-board material, I can promise you that," Tyndall said, aware of Arkansas' 62-7 home record under Anderson. "I know how good those fans are and how loud it gets. It should be a heck of an environment."

Sports on 01/27/2015