FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks jumped from No. 23 to 21 in this week’s Associated Press poll and from 23 to 20 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll following their dominating 100-66 win at Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Arkansas beat Georgia 86-76 in last year’s SEC Tournament. That snapped a five-game skid to the Bulldogs. But the Razorbacks had lost 13 of 14 before last year’s victory.
Georgia comes into Thursday's game after snapping a three-game losing streak with a win over Auburn thanks to a strong second half.
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors said pace will be key. Arkansas is among the highest scoring team in the country, averaging 86.9 points per game. Arkansas scored 100 for the first time in a road game in nearly 30 years in the win at Vanderbilt.
The Razorbacks also made 15 3-pointers, a school record for a Southeastern Conference game.
In contrast, Georgia averages just under 64 points per game.
“They haven’t given up more than 73 points in a game all year long,” Neighbors said. “And we’ve only scored under 73 twice this year.
“You got a team that’s built around defense. One that’s big, strong powerful and then you’ve got us that’s not either of those things. One that’s fast, quick and agile and can hopefully spread you out.”
Alexis Tolefree and Amber Ramirez have been a potent perimeter shooting combination all season. Tolefree led with 25, including five 3-pointers on Sunday, but Ramirez added 18 and was a perfect 6 of 6 from the floor (four 3-pointers) and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line.
GEORGIA at ARKANSAS
WHEN Thursday, 6 p.m.
WHERE Bud Walton Arena (19,368), Fayetteville
RECORDS Georgia 11-7, 2-3 SEC; Arkansas 15-3, 3-2 SEC
SERIES Georgia leads 34-6.
RADIO KQSM-FM 92.1 and KYNG-AM 15-90 in Fayetteville; KFPW-AM 1230 and KHGG-AM 1580 in Fort Smith; KURM-AM 790 and KURM-FM 100.3 in Rogers
TV SEC Network
PROBABLE ARKANSAS STARTING LINEUP
POS NAME, HT., YR.;PPG;RPG
G Chelsea Dungee, 5-11, Jr.; 20.0; 5.2
G Amber Ramirez, 5-9, Jr.; 14.7; 3.5
F Taylah Thomas, 6-1, Jr.; 6.2; 7.8
G Makayla Daniels, 5-8, Fr.; 10.0; 1.5
G Alexis Tolefree, 5-8, Sr.; 14.7; 3.9
COACH Mike Neighbors (50-36) is in his third season at Arkansas.
PROBABLE GEORGIA STARTING LINEUP
POS NAME, HT., YR.;PPG;RPG
G Gabby Connally, 5-6, Jr.; 12.1; 3.3
G Maya Caldwell, 5-10, Jr.; 10.0; 3.3
G Que Morrison, 5-7, Jr.; 6.6; 4.4
F Stephanie Paul, 5-10, Sr.; 7.0; 4.3
C Jenna Stanti, 6-4, RS Jr.; 9.2; 5.7
COACH Joni Taylor (92-51) in her fifth season at Georgia
TEAM COMPARISON
Georgia - Arkansas
63.9 Points Scored Per Game 86.9
59.5 Points Allowed Per Game 63.0
39.0 Rebounds Per Game 40.8
17.5 Turnovers Per Game 10.9
41.2 FG Pct. 45.1
27.1 3-Pt. FG Pct. 39.3
73.4 FT Pct. 73.5