Razorbacks back home after another disappointment

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas has had countless chances to build momentum these last few weeks. The Razorbacks beat Alabama twice and routed teams like LSU and Ole Miss at home.<br> <br> Yet every time the Hogs appear headed in the right direction, they take a quick step back.<br> <br> The latest loss was 67-59 at Auburn on Wednesday night. Arkansas allowed 18 offensive rebounds and fell to 1-8 in away games.<br> <br> ``Our rebounding was atrocious at Auburn,&#39;&#39; coach Stan Heath said Thursday. ``That will be addressed hard in practice.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Arkansas&#39; road struggles have severely damaged its NCAA tournament hopes. The Razorbacks (16-11, 5-8) have lost on the road even against teams that were struggling.<br> <br> Auburn had lost four straight before winning at home against Arkansas. LSU has won just once in its last 10 games at home against Arkansas.<br> <br> The Razorbacks went 3-of-18 from 3-point range Wednesday night, but Heath is taking his backcourt to task for something that has nothing to do with shooting.<br> <br> ``Our guards didn&#39;t do a very good job of boxing out,&#39;&#39; he said. ``Auburn had 18 offensive rebounds. Thirteen of those were in the first half, so they only had five in the second. Of the 13 in the first half, eight were by perimeter players. They&#39;re flying in getting long ones and loose ones.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Arkansas&#39; inexperienced backcourt includes freshman Patrick Beverley and junior college transfer Sonny Weems and point guard Gary Ervin is a transfer from Mississippi State who had to sit out 2005-06.<br> <br> Beverley leads the team at 14.4 points per game, Weems is averaging 11.3 points, and Ervin is averaging over five assists a game. But all three especially Ervin and Weems have had stretches of inconsistency.<br> <br> Lately, Heath has given more playing time to sophomore point guard Sean McCurdy who says limiting turnovers is a priority.<br> <br> ``We&#39;ve got to take care of the ball,&#39;&#39; McCurdy said. ``We&#39;ve got to handle the other team&#39;s pressure ... get guys in the right spots on the floor.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McCurdy insists Arkansas&#39; struggles this season aren&#39;t psychological. Right now, he&#39;s more interested in preparing for the next game Saturday against Tennessee than explaining the previous one.<br> <br> ``We can&#39;t look back. We can only look forward,&#39;&#39; McCurdy said.<br> <br> For the third straight season, Arkansas has entered the stretch with an NCAA tournament berth on the line. In 2004-05, the Razorbacks lost five of their last six and missed the field. Last season, Arkansas won six straight before losing its second SEC tournament game and that was enough to earn an at-large bid.<br> <br> ``The last two years, we&#39;ve had key games down the stretch. Two years ago, we didn&#39;t hold on to the rope very well,&#39;&#39; Heath said. ``Last year, we won six straight. We need toughness, character and leadership to all show up.&#39;&#39;