FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas basketball team returned to Walton Arena about 1:30 a.m. Friday after winning at South Carolina, 78-74.
Maybe the Razorbacks should have just stayed at Walton Arena to start preparing for today's 1 p.m. game against LSU, their home finale.
It's about that quick of a turnaround for the No. 18 Razorbacks (24-6, 13-4 SEC) with 36 hours between returning to campus and taking on the Tigers (21-9, 10-7).
LSU played Wednesday night at home, where the Tigers lost to Tennessee, 78-63.
It's the second time this season the Razorbacks have played back-to-back SEC games on a Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. They beat Alabama 93-91 in overtime at home Jan. 22, then won 61-60 at Missouri Jan. 24.
"I think our team can absorb it because of the depth that we have," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "We play a lot of guys."
LSU doesn't.
Four Tigers are averaging between 34.6 minutes and 36.8 in SEC games and another is averaging 28.6. Arkansas has 10 players who have averaged between 11.8 minutes and 29.1.
"We want to test their bench," Anderson said.
LSU Coach Johnny Jones said the the Tigers won't try to slow the tempo against Arkansas. The Tigers want to beat the Razorbacks' pressure defense and get open shots.
"We're at our best when we play uptempo," Jones said. "We're hopeful that because of their press -- if we handle it the right way -- we can attack instead of pulling the ball out.
"I think you have to attack that type of pressure."
Jones said Arkansas' press is similar to what LSU faced at West Virginia earlier this season. The Tigers committed 24 turnovers, but beat the Mountaineers 74-73 by shooting 46.4 percent from the field, including 8 of 15 on three-pointers.
"Both of them are really aggressive," Jones said, comparing Arkansas and West Virginia. "Arkansas probably has more depth.
"The intensity level throughout the game may be better in what they're capable of doing."
Anderson said he is looking forward to a fast-paced game.
"I think you're going to see two athletic teams who like to get up and down the floor," he said. "Some tremendous athletes and some good basketball players.
"There should be a lot of highlight plays going back and forth."
Arkansas and LSU have two of the SEC's top three scoring tandems with Razorbacks forward Bobby Portis and guard Michael Qualls ranking No. 1 with a combined average of 33.0 points. Tigers forwards Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey are the third-highest scoring tandem at 32.6.
Mickey, averaging 16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and a national-leading 3.7 blocked shots per game, took a hard fall in the second half against Tennessee and had his left arm in a sling Thursday.
Jones said he's hopeful Mickey will play today, but that he might not be at full strength.
"I'm not sure if he's able to give us that same burst or pop that he's been giving us most of the year," Jones said. "We just have to try to figure out a way to address that."
Anderson said the Razorbacks are preparing to face Mickey.
"He's a player," Anderson said. "He'll play.
"This is a big game for LSU, and it certainly is a big game for Arkansas."
An LSU victory at Walton Arena -- where Arkansas is 16-1 this season -- would be a boost for the Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes.
The Razorbacks likely have clinched their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2008, but they want to be seeded as high as possible. Today also is the final home game for Arkansas seniors Alandise Harris and Ky Madden.
Anderson said he's not worried about his players being emotionally drained after the Razorbacks rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final six minutes to win at South Carolina for the first time since 2001.
"I think our guys will rise to the occasion," Anderson said. "LSU gets your attention.
"It's the last game of the season and they want to send these seniors out in a grand fashion."
Sports on 03/07/2015