FAYETTEVILLE — After a two-month hiatus, Arkansas basketball is back in the top 25.
The Razorbacks, winners of nine of their last 10 games dating back to Jan. 12, came in at No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll that was released Monday. It is their first appearance in the poll since Dec. 13, when they were No. 24.
"I think any time you’re ranked in the top 25 it’s an accomplishment where your players are rewarded for where they are during that particular week," Eric Musselman said Monday. "To split last week and then to jump up in the rankings is a credit to the teams that we played and the respect that the national voters have for not just Auburn, but also for Alabama.
"It is what it is. It’s great for our fans, it’s good for our players. Now there’s a number attached to our name, and that adds responsibility as well when you’re playing somebody."
Arkansas saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end Saturday in a 68-67 loss at Alabama, but it began last week with a 80-76 overtime victory over No. 1 Auburn. It was the Razorbacks’ second win over a No. 1 team and first inside Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas returns to play Tuesday at Missouri (10-14, 4-7 SEC) for an 8 p.m. tip. The game will air on SEC Network.
On Saturday, the Razorbacks (19-6, 8-4 SEC) will host Tennessee, which is No. 16 in this week’s poll. It will be the first AP Top 25 matchup in Bud Walton Arena since No. 20 Arkansas defeated No. 6 Alabama 81-66 last February.
The game will begin at 3 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN.
Other SEC teams in the poll are Auburn (2), Kentucky (4) and Alabama (25).
Arkansas’ ranking in AP poll in 2021-22
Preseason — 16
Nov. 15 — 16
Nov. 22 — 13
Nov. 29 — 10
Dec. 6 — 12
Dec. 13 — 24
Dec. 20 — NR, 9 voting points
Dec. 27 — NR, 0 voting points
Jan. 3 — NR, 0 voting points
Jan. 10 — NR, 0 voting points
Jan. 17 — NR, 0 voting points
Jan. 24 — NR, 0 voting points
Jan. 31 — NR, 7 voting points
Feb. 7 — NR, 74 voting points
Feb. 14 — 23