FAYETTEVILLE -- Today marks Texas Tech's first game in Walton Arena, but Red Raiders Coach Tubby Smith will be in familiar surroundings.
Texas Tech is the fourth school Smith will lead into Walton Arena to face Arkansas over a 22-year span.
"It just tells you he's been around a while," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "He's lasted.
"He's been at some good programs and done a great job."
Smith, 64, is 3-4 as a visiting coach at Walton Arena, with previous trips made during stints at Tulsa, Georgia and Kentucky. He first coached in the arena when it was 2 years old during the 1994-95 season when Arkansas beat Tulsa 82-63.
The Razorbacks beat Georgia 79-74 in 1997 during Smith's only visit with the Bulldogs.
Kentucky lost during Smith's first two Arkansas road trips with the Wildcats in 1999 and 2001, then won on his last three in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
"Bud Walton Arena is always one of the toughest venues to coach and play in," said Smith, who is 13-9 overall against Arkansas. "I'm sure it will be just as difficult this time."
Smith is 550-270 in 25 seasons as a coach, including a six-year stint at Minnesota. He took the Golden Gophers to the NCAA Tournament three times during his final five seasons, including 2013, but he was fired after beating UCLA and losing to Florida.
Smith had a 124-81 record at Minnesota. His successor, Richard Pitino, is 49-43, including 6-15 this season. Texas Tech beat the Golden Gophers 81-68 in Puerto Rico this season.
Minnesota won the NIT championship in Pitino's first season, but the Golden Gophers haven't made an NCAA Tournament appearance since Smith left.
Smith's teams have combined for 17 NCAA Tournament bids. In his first season at Kentucky in 1998, the Wildcats won the national championship.
"I think in the end, he'll be in the Hall of Fame with what he's done," said Anderson, referring to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "He's a great, great basketball mind."
Smith is 39-44 in his third season at Texas Tech, which was 19-46 in the two years prior to his arrival.
The Red Raiders (12-7, 2-6 Big 12) are 1-6 in their past seven games, but five of those losses were to teams ranked in this week's Associated Press poll: No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 Kansas, No. 9 West Virginia, No. 14 Iowa State and No. 17 Baylor.
Kansas, Baylor and West Virginia beat Texas Tech at home, where the Red Raiders are 9-3.
"I think we're on the right track," Smith said. "I'm a little disappointed we haven't been able to protect the home court the way I expected us to, but I'm OK with the direction we're headed."
The Red Raiders are led by 6-4 senior guards Devaugntah Williams (12.7 points per game) and Toddrick Gotcher (10.7). They have six players averaging at least 7.1 points, excluding injured 6-10 sophomore center Norense Odiase, who is out because of a broken foot.
"I like all of our players," Smith said. "We've got a good group of kids, and they're playing hard."
Anderson said the strength of the Red Raiders' schedule should benefit them in today's game.
"I think that probably has tested them," Anderson said. "So coming in here, they'll be ready to play."
Sports on 01/30/2016