Arkansas basketball vs. Alabama: Scouting report, prediction as Hogs face Crimson Tide
Arkansas basketball will close out the regular season with one last chance at securing a top-25 victory in the SEC.
The Razorbacks (15-15, 6-11) will face No. 16 Alabama (20-10, 12-5) Saturday morning. Arkansas is coming off a win over LSU Wednesday, while the Crimson Tide has seen its SEC title hopes evaporate with a two-game losing streak.
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This is the first matchup between the teams this season, with the SEC Tournament beginning Wednesday in Nashville. Arkansas will have to play in the first round, while Alabama could still secure a double-bye with a victory over the Hogs.
Here are three things to watch and a score prediction for the Hogs' regular-season finale.
How does Arkansas basketball contain Mark Sears?
No team across the country averages more points than Alabama, and Sears is the head of the snake. The senior point guard averages 21.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He's always a threat to get to the basket, where he can either score for himself or spring passes around the court to open teammates.
But what makes Sears more explosive this season is his uptick in 3-point shooting, where Sears is making 44.2% of his attempts. Arkansas has improved guarding the three late in the season, but the Hogs still struggle against dribble penetration. Sears will be a significant challenge.
Razorbacks must get to 80 points, if not 90
Alabama is 6-10 this season when it allows at least 80 points. The Crimson Tide is 14-0 when it holds opposing teams under that threshold.
The Arkansas offense is clicking down the stretch and should have confidence it can find success against Alabama. Khalif Battle is averaging 35.3 points over the past four games with the Hogs scoring 85 points or more over that run.
Still, the Crimson Tide averages 90.8 points per game. The Arkansas offense might need to play as well as it did against Kentucky last weekend — when it scored 102 points — to upset Alabama.
Will Grant Nelson stay out of foul trouble?
The Alabama center is an X-factor for the Crimson Tide, but he's fouled out in back-to-back games. He only played 16 minutes in the loss to Tennessee last weekend.
Arkansas has thrived at drawing fouls all season, and the Hogs should be aggressive going after Nelson. Alabama becomes easier to defend with him off the floor.
Prediction: Alabama 93, Arkansas 84
Alabama will be motivated to end a terrific season with a home victory, rather than a three-game losing streak. Arkansas will play well on offense and keep the game close, but the Crimson Tide just has too much firepower with Sears, Nelson and Aaron Estrada.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas basketball vs. Alabama: Prediction, scouting report
