Arkansas basketball vs South Carolina in SEC Tournament: Scouting report, prediction
There's no time to savor a dramatic victory. About 18 hours after surviving against Vanderbilt in overtime, Arkansas basketball will return to the floor with another do-or-die game.
The No. 12 Razorbacks (16-16) face No. 5 South Carolina (25-6) Thursday (2:30 p.m., SEC Network) in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Arkansas had to erase a 15-point deficit against the Commodores to clinch a matchup with the Gamecocks.
More: Arkansas basketball rallies, survives in overtime to beat Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament
More: Arkansas basketball senior Khalif Battle hints he could return to Razorbacks next season
South Carolina won the teams' only meeting during the regular season, leaving Fayetteville with a 77-64 victory. The Gamecocks have arguably been the league's biggest surprise, while Arkansas represents one of the SEC's major disappointments.
Here are two things to watch and a prediction for the Arkansas-South Carolina rematch in the SEC Tournament.
How does Arkansas basketball contain BJ Mack?
The Hogs have struggled with versatile bigs all season. In the first round, Vanderbilt's Ven-Allen Lubin scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mack had a game-high 18 points to go with nine rebounds in the Gamecocks' win over Arkansas earlier this season.
Limiting Mack will be a key factor if the Razorbacks are to pull off an upset and extend their season. The biggest question is who draws the assignment, whether it's Trevon Brazile or one of the Arkansas centers.
Can Tramon Mark carry over hot finish from first round?
Mark registered all 18 of his points against Vanderbilt in the second half, and the Commodores were able to build a 14-point lead through the first 20 minutes with Mark scoreless.
Khalif Battle has become the focal point of the offense with his scorching-hot play, but Mark is still a key cog. Arkansas needs to get him going from the start against South Carolina. He was the only Razorback to score more than nine points during their loss to the Gamecocks in January
Prediction: Arkansas 77, South Carolina 73
The Hogs found something in the second half against Vanderbilt, while Davonte Davis and Trevon Brazile also discovered their 3-point shots. The Razorbacks will get revenge on another opponent and advance to face No. 4 Auburn in the quarterfinals Friday.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas basketball vs South Carolina in SEC Tournament: Scouting report
