FAYETTEVILLE -- To be a student, an athlete and constant entertainment TV fodder for ESPN's family of networks, even the most physically fit energetic young men can use a full day off.
The Arkansas Razorbacks got that day of rest Wednesday. At least from fulfilling the basketball and ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and ESPN's SEC Network part.
They needed a break desperately. Just look at their recent SEC schedule. A week ago, in an 8 p.m. tip-off on ESPN2 at Walton Arena, the Razorbacks and Alabama extended overtime long into the night before Arkansas prevailed 93-91 on Bobby Portis' tip-in at the buzzer.
Friday, it was back to class in the morning then to practice and a flight to Columbia, Mo. for a 1 p.m. Saturday game with Missouri on ESPN2. Arkansas escaped 61-60, Mizzou missing free two free throws at the endt trailing by a point.
Then back to the practice floor Sunday and Monday because Tuesday night at Walton it was Tennessee and another late (8 p.m.) tip-off appeasing ESPN2.
Only by the grace of Tennessee missing what would have been a game-tying three that Arkansas' Michael Qualls rebounded with 2.3 seconds left, did the Razorbacks avoid an overtime extension of a game already played deep into the night. Immediately fouled on the rebound, Qualls hit the two free throws completing a 69-64 avenging of the 74-69 SEC loss at Tennessee Jan. 13.
So the Hogs could rest victoriously at 16-4 overall and tied for second place in the SEC at 5-2 before hitting the practice floor today. Arkansas returns to action at noon Saturday at Florida on CBS. Sunday and Monday practices then follow before playing South Carolina at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Walton on the SEC Network.
"They need a day off just to focus in on school and be a student," Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said after Tuesday's triumph.
Jacorey Williams may have been excused even from the student part Wednesday. The junior reserve forward turned in a 5-minute first-half stint against Tennessee despite illness. Because after he came out, Williams' pregame meal came up, all over teammate Anton Beard. Beard had to switch jerseys from No. 31 to No. 15.
"Every night it's something new we're battling with," Qualls said. "A guy threw up this game, just stay tuned for the next game. You never know."
One thing seems sure: Arkansas and Tennessee should want no part of each other at the SEC tournament March 11-15 in Nashville, Tenn., unless they meet in the championship game.
It seems hard to believe the advancing victor of their pairing could muster sufficient energy to win the next day's tournament game. Their pressing styles take a lot out of each other, especially the ball with Arkansas turning it over 18 times in Knoxville and 18 times in Fayetteville and Tennessee turning it over 14 times in Knoxville and 16 times in Fayetteville.
"We played them early in the year," Anderson said postgame Tuesday. "And they disrupted us a little bit in terms of creating turnovers and our guys being careless with the ball and that came back to bite us again tonight. But I was proud of the effort, especially in the second half. We turned the tables on them creating uptempo basketball for the most part, creating turnovers and rebounding the basketball."
Even as the turnovers turn coaches' stomachs, first-year Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall says they just come with the Arkansas vs. Tennessee territory given the defense he coaches and the defense that Anderson coaches.
"They're going to press and get after you, and that's our style of play as well," Tyndall said. "So both teams are trying to create some offense off their defense. I thought we did a pretty good job. You force that team into 18 turnovers; we had nine steals. The problem is, we turn it back over 16 times ... I just think system and style of play has a lot to do with it."
Anderson concurs even while wincing at 36 turnovers for two games.
"Let's take nothing away from the defensive intensity from both teams," Anderson said.
The style of course wears down both teams but at Walton, Tyndall said, the crowd always gives Arkansas an energy edge.
Sports on 01/29/2015