One team had been idle for a week while the other was playing its fourth game in 10 days.

Ironically, the latter squad had more vim and vigor Monday night at Bud Walton Arena during Arkansas’ 70-51 win over Missouri State (4-2 ). The victory gives Arkansas a five-game winning streak ahead of a nineday respite before its next game Dec. 12 against Texas-San Antonio.

Whether it was the active hands of Sonny Weems and Patrick Beverley harassing Bear ball handlers, the speed of Stefan Welsh and Gary Ervin pushing the ball up the backs of slow-retreating defenders or Arkansas’ collective effort on the offensive boards, the Razorbacks proved to be the more energized team.

The Bears’ body language indicated as much, as several were doubled over while clutching their shorts in anticipation of the last TV timeout. Their posture was that of a team who had been worked over by a fresher, more determined opponent.

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“ We wanted to come out and really send a message, ” said Steven Hill, Arkansas ’ senior center. “ We knew Missouri State is a very good team. They won 20 games the past two years, so we knew we had to bring the energy. ”

Reserve guard Ervin accounted for 12 of Arkansas’ 36 bench points, two of its 17 offensive rebounds and three of its 16 steals. He said the effort Arkansas exerted is part of coach John Pelphrey’s mantra.

“ That’s what coach talks about all the time in practice and before games, ” said Ervin, who’s embraced his new reserve role, scoring 28 points in the last two games. “ We’ve got to be the more aggressive team. We’ve got to get the offensive rebounds. We’ve got to get the loose balls. ”

Pelphrey and his staff chart deflections to gauge the defense’s level of activity. It’s a barometer that many protégés of Rick Pitino, Pelphrey’s coach when he played at the University of Kentucky, use to measure defensive intensity.

By halftime, the Razorbacks (7-1 ) had 26 deflections. Nine short of the 35 Pelphrey deems suitable for an entire 40-minutes.

“ Coach says if you get 35 a game, that’s a big plus for us, ” Ervin said. “ To get 26 in the first half, that’s progress that coach loves to see. ”

Despite starting most of last year, Ervin said he doesn’t consider coming off the bench as an indignity. He added that Arkansas ’ depth will be a boon as the season progresses, allowing it to vigorously pursue Pelphrey’s up-tempo style.

“ We have a great bench, and that’s something that’s going to be great for us throughout the season, ” he said. “ When guys are tired, you can sub in another five. That’s a big plus for this team. ”