Arkansas travels to face fading LSU

Posted 5:04PM on Friday 9th February 2007 ( 18 years ago )

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas is trying to win back-to-back Southeastern Conference games for the first time this season. For LSU, just one victory would be quite a step forward. The Tigers have lost six straight heading into Saturday's game against the Razorbacks in Baton Rouge, La. ``If there's ever a time for a team that needs a win, it's ours,'' LSU coach John Brady said. ``Our team certainly is in a difficult spot. In order to accomplish anything significant, Saturday's a win that we need to have.'' Arkansas' situation isn't quite as dire, but the Razorbacks (15-8, 4-5 SEC) will remain on the NCAA tournament bubble if they don't become more consistent. Arkansas has beaten No. 18 Alabama twice, but the Hogs' last two-game winning streak was in early January. The Razorbacks beat LSU 72-52 last month, although the Tigers have won seven of the last nine games in the series. Arkansas has not won in Baton Rouge since 2001, two seasons before Heath became coach. LSU's last two home wins over the Razorbacks were by a combined four points. ``It seems like each game was right there in our grasp and we couldn't close it out,'' Heath said. ``You have to move on. You can't carry those around with you. Those games probably sit a little longer with the coaches than the players because we have to break it down and analyze it.'' Arkansas has done a good job bouncing back from losses this season. LSU, on the other hand, has spiraled to last place in the SEC West. The Tigers (13-10, 2-7) are among the nation's most disappointing teams after starting the season with a No. 5 ranking following last year's Final Four appearance. Glen Davis is averaging 17.9 points per game down low for the Tigers, although he scored a season-low five in a 70-67 loss at Tennessee on Tuesday. LSU's Tasmin Mitchell tied a career high with 23 points that night. ``They way Glen Davis played, he better have or we wouldn't have had a chance,'' Brady said. ``That's been the story of our team, really. We've had a couple guys score well for a couple games, then fall off the map. Glen had strung together some good games, and the other night he just got out of what he was supposed to do.'' Arkansas is led by freshman Patrick Beverley at 14 points per game. Fellow guard Gary Ervin scored all 18 of his points in the second half in a 65-57 win over Auburn on Wednesday night.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/2/95494