FAYETTEVILLE -- Florida International may go into Bud Walton Arena tonight as ready or even more ready to run than coach Mike Anderson's Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Hogs (4-1) will host the Panthers (7-1) at 7 p.m. The game will be available on the Razorbacks Radio Network and internet video on SEC Network Plus.
First-year coach Jeremy Ballard's Panthers not only run on offense, but they run at opponents on defense in a style similar to that of Anderson's Razorbacks.
"One of the top scoring teams in the country and assists," Anderson said. "One of the top in steals, creating turnovers and possessions. It's a game for our guys and for them that's going to be an up and down game.
"Two teams that are not going to hold the basketball and try to create havoc with their defense. I think that's what they try to do and obviously that's what we're going to do."
Florida International has played teams such as Webber International (4-5) and Johnson & Wales (2-2), while Arkansas has contested the likes of Indiana (5-2), Texas (5-1) and Texas-Arlington (3-4).
The Panthers have beaten Milwaukee (2-5), Columbia (1-4), Youngstown State (3-5) and former NCAA Tournament Cinderella Florida Gulf Coast (2-7). An 83-77 loss at Fordham (5-1) stands as their lone defeat.
Florida International's stats do stand out. The Panthers average 96.9 points per game with 138 assists and 95 steals while forcing a nationally leading 182 turnovers in eight games.
"That's pretty impressive," Anderson said. "I don't care who you are. You've averaging almost 100 points and you're forcing that many turnovers. And you're scoring off of them. And not only that, you're stealing the basketball. That's pretty impressive."
It's the style that catapulted Shaka Smart's Virginia Commonwealth team into the Final Four and Smart to Texas. As a VCU assistant, Ballard was part of all that. He also assisted at Colgate, his alma mater, Tulsa, Pittsburgh and a second tenure at VCU under Mike Rhoades before taking the Florida International job and inheriting 5-10 senior guard Brian Beard.
Beard is doubly dangerous with the ball, leading Florida International in scoring with 22 points per game. He has 57 assists to only 20 turnovers, has made 26 steals and is the second-best rebounder among the starters with 3.9 boards per game.
Starting forward Devon Andrews averages 18.3 points and starting guard Trejon Jacob averages 11.1. Guard Willy Nunez (6-6) averages 11.8 off of the bench.
"The Beard kid is a really good basketball player," Anderson said. "He's so clever. He's quick with the basketball, he can really pass the basketball and he keeps people off with hesitation.
"He's kind of a picture of old school and new school because he hesitates with the ball and makes great passes. He gets everybody involved and he attacks and attacks."
Sophomore center Daniel Gafford brings averages of 19.2 points and eight rebounds into the game. He has 10 blocks in five games.
Anderson said he has liked how starting guards Jalen Harris, Isaiah Joe and Mason Jones and starting junior forward Adrio Bailey have complemented Gafford. Sophomore forward Gabe Osabuohien, freshman forward Reggie Chaney and freshman guards Desi Sills and Keyshawn Embery-Simpson are also fulfilling increasingly important roles off of the Razorback bench.
Arkansas played three games in five days before taking an eight-day break before Florida International, leaving the question of if the Razorbacks will be rusty against the Panthers.
"We'll know when we play," Anderson said. "But we've had some quality time to get in the gym. We've just had to challenge them in practice and scrimmage them in game-like situations. I know they are anxious to play."
Arkansas Ht. Yr. Pts. Rebs.
F-Adrio Bailey 6-6 Jr. 11.2 3.6.
C-Daniel Gafford 6-11 So. 19.2 8.0
G-Jalen Harris 6-2 So. 8.6 2.8
G-Mason Jones 6-5 So. 13.0 5.4
G-Isaiah Joe 6-5 Fr. 12.8 3.0
Florida International Ht. Yr. Pts. Rebs.
F-Devon Andrews 6-6 Jr. 18.3 6.0
C-Elhadji Dieng 6-11 Sr. 2.4 1.9
G-Brian Beard 5-10 Sr. 22.0 3.9
G-Marcus Burwell 6-2 Jr. 7.3 2.0
G-Trejon Jacob 6-5 Jr. 11.1 3.6
Sports on 12/01/2018