Arkansas defense shining as of late

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team has gotten defensive since allowing its season-high in points in a 94-86 loss at LSU on Feb. 3.

It was the first time in 31 games the Razorbacks had scored 80 or more points and lost.

Since then, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville has won three consecutive games and held its opponents to an average of 61.0 points and 31.4 percent shooting in beating South Carolina 81-65, Vanderbilt 72-54 and Ole Miss 75-64.

"We're just staying engaged throughout the game and holding each other accountable and taking it as a pride thing," Razorbacks senior guard Jaylen Barford. "If we keep our defense up, I think we're one of the best teams in the country."

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said before the South Carolina game that the Razorbacks had to change their mentality from trying to outscore opponents on offense to holding them down on defense. The Razorbacks have responded to that challenge.

"We've locked in on defense," Arkansas senior guard Anton Beard said. "We've come in with the mindset to play defense from the jump and not just whenever we get down."

South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss are tied for last in the SEC at 4-9 and are among the bottom four teams in the conference in shooting, but the Razorbacks' defense against them has been impressive.

South Carolina, which ranks 14th in the SEC at 39.6 percent on the season, shot 41.2 percent against Arkansas, but the Gamecocks had 18 turnovers -- their most in an SEC game.

The Razorbacks created offense from their defense by outscoring South Carolina 26-11 in points off of turnovers.

Vanderbilt is 11th in the SEC at 43.3 percent, but the Commodores shot 49.9 percent in their previous six games before playing Arkansas.

The Razorbacks held the Commodores to 25.0 percent, including 3 of 26 on three-pointers. Only No. 1 Virginia has held Vanderbilt to a lower shooting percentage (23.1) this season.

In Vanderbilt's next game after being shut down by Arkansas, the Commodores shot 58.8 percent in beating Mississippi State 81-80 on Wednesday night. Vanderbilt hit 10 of 17 three-pointers, including Riley LaChance's game winner with 0.5 seconds left.

Ole Miss, which ranks 13th in the SEC at 42.6 percent, shot a season-low 29.0 percent in losing to the Razorbacks at home on Tuesday night.

When Arkansas beat Ole Miss 97-93 in Walton Arena on Jan. 20, the Rebels shot 48.3 percent.

"I think our defense is much better," Anderson said. "I think our guys are paying attention to detail and we're fixing some things on defense.

"Whether we're in a half-court defense, full-court defense, matchup defense, I think our guys are more on point with helping each other.

"We're getting more charges and protecting the rim, and at times we've done a good job guarding the perimeter."

LSU shot 52.7 percent in beating the Razorbacks at the Maravich Assembly Center, including 15 of 30 on three-pointers.

The Tigers were the eighth SEC opponent to shoot better from three-point range against Arkansas than its season average.

"We were getting torched from the three-point line," Anderson said. "So now our guys have made a conscientious effort of being with the shooters. Running them off the line, getting them out of rhythm."

Anderson has given Gabe Osabuohien his first extensive playing time the last three games and the freshman forward has helped energize the Razorbacks' defense. Minutes also have increased for freshman forward Darious Hall and sophomore guard C.J. Jones.

"Our bench is involved," Anderson said. "Guys aren't playing as tired and playing as many minutes, so you can't pace yourself now."

South Carolina Coach Frank Martin made fun of his players' shooting after the Arkansas game.

"You want to get confidence in your defense, play us," Martin said. "That'll help ya."

Vanderbilt Coach Bryce Drew said the Commodores' poor shooting against the Razorbacks became contagious.

Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy, who is stepping down effective the end of the season, apologized for the Rebels' performance against the Razorbacks.

Anderson said Arkansas also deserves some credit for how those teams all struggled to make shots.

"Part of it is they didn't make 'em, but we had something to do with it, too, I think," Anderson said. "Shooting is rhythm and we're going to disrupt that rhythm. That's going to be out mindset even as we move forward."

Anderson hopes to see Arkansas' defensive intensity continue when the Razorbacks play No. 21 Texas A&M on Saturday in Walton Arena.

Texas A&M beat the Razorbacks 80-66 at Reed Arena on Jan. 30 when the Aggies shot 47.5 percent. Texas A&M opened the second half by hitting 9 of 10 shots -- including 7 of 8 on three-pointers -- as part of a 26-6 run to pull away after leading 33-32 at halftime.

"We started leaving those guys open and they started making threes and before you know it they had a big-time run," Anderson said. "I thought for a half there we were in good shape.

"We just didn't do it for 40 minutes. This time of year you've got to do it for 40 minutes and your defense has got to be on point."

Sports on 02/16/2018