FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has been unbeatable in Bud Walton Arena so far this men’s basketball season, improving to 12-0 after its impressive win against Mississippi State.
But what happens when Arkansas ventures away from comfortable surroundings? The Razorbacks are 0-3 with losses to Houston, Connecticut and Oklahoma.
It’s a trend the Razorbacks were well aware of earlier this week, when they prepared for their next road trip. Arkansas (12-3, 1-0 in Southeastern Conference) believes it is much better prepared to end the road woes tonight, when it plays Ole Miss (10-5, 0-1) in Tad Smith Coliseum.
“I think we’ve finally realized what it’s going to take to go somewhere else other than Bud Walton and win,” Arkansas forward Marvell Waithe said. “I think it’s going to give us a lot of confidence after beating Mississippi State to go in there and handle business. That’s what we need.”
Arkansas insists it’s not the same team that suffered double-digit losses on the road at Connecticut and Oklahoma in early December.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Razorbacks returned home after the two-game road swing and used a long homestand to regroup, gain confidence and learn. Arkansas has won seven straight games since — all in Bud Walton Arena. It is the program’s longest win streak since 2008-09, when the Razorbacks won 10 straight.
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said the homestand was valuable for other reasons, giving each Razorback a better understanding of his role with the team. Starters like Rickey Scott, Michael Sanchez and Julysses Nobles know what is expected of them. The same goes for players like Waithe and freshman B.J. Young, who have given the Razorbacks a spark coming off the bench this season.
“I think you’ve seen them change before your eyes,” Anderson said about his team since its last road game. “I think you’ve got more pieces that are starting to perform for you. You’ve got guys that are more healthy now. … I think guys are understanding the roles they’re going to play.”
The Razorbacks will play an Ole Miss team still dealing with the loss of dismissed leading scorer Dundrecous Nelson (11.6 points). Forward Murphy Holloway (9.9 points, 9.6 rebounds) also has been sidelined with an injury.