Southeastern Conference play begins

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Southeastern Conference play begins

Sports - Razorbacks

01/06/2012 - Phil Pierce, Athletic Media Relations

Following a sixth straight victory at home on Tuesday, the University of Arkansas men's basketball team begins Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 7, and have a tall order in front of it in No. 15/16 Mississippi State at 8 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas (11-3) hopes that the momentum of a six-game winning streak and 10-game home winning streak will carry over to Saturday's contest. The Razorbacks have been solid on defense throughout the season at home and over the last six games have not allowed more than 67 points in any contest. Sophomore Rickey Scott has been playing his best basketball, averaging 14.0 points per game, and Arkansas' quick hands have forced 106 opponent turnovers and made 50 steals.

The Razorbacks are 12-8 in SEC openers including a win over Tennessee last season at Bud Walton Arena. Underdogs in that contest, Arkansas shot 50 percent from the floor, forced 18 turnovers and won the game, 68-65, despite getting out rebounded by 14. It will likely take a similar effort by the Razorbacks on Saturday if they hope to go 1-0 in SEC play.

Mississippi State (13-2) led the SEC standings for a portion of the non-conference season and currently rank No. 2 in the league. The Bulldogs have just two losses (Akron, Baylor) and have four players that average better than 10 points per game. Junior Arnett Moultrie (16.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg) is the focal point of the Mississippi State attack and senior Dee Bost (4.4 apg) makes things go. The Bulldog front line also includes 6-10 junior Renardo Sidney (10.4 ppg). Mississippi State takes care of the basketball and with a solid low post game makes a lot of shots.

Along with the start of Southeastern Conference play, team trading cards will be handed out to the first 5,000 in attendance. The halftime entertainment will include the Red Panda Acrobat.

The Arkansas-Mississippi State game will be broadcast on the radio across the Razorback Sports Network from IMG College with Chuck Barrett and Rick Schaeffer giving the call. The game will also be shown on television by Comcast Sports with Matt Stewart and Daymeon Fishback on the air.

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