Arkansas set to host old rival, Houston

By Nate Allen

Special to the News-Times

FAYETTEVILLE - For those staying away from Walton Arena because the Arkansas Razorbacks have just played opponents there deemed mid-majors, here is some major news.

The Houston Cougars, certainly major under Guy Lewis from the Elvin Hayes era through their Southwest Conference Phi Slamma Jamma days, return tonight to Fayetteville for the first time since Arkansas and Houston were in the Southwest Conference.

Tip-off tonight is 6 p.m. at Walton and will be televised by the SEC Network.

Now representing the American Athletic Conference and coached by Kelvin Sampson, the former coach at Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana, Houston brings a 6-1 record to Walton.

Arkansas also stands at 6-1.

Both schools suffered their lone loss came in their lone road game. The Cougars lost 84-65 on Nov. 29 at LSU, while Arkansas fell at Minnesota 85-71 on Nov. 22.

“Minnesota was a very good basketball team,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “But I think this team is just as good or maybe even better. So our guys are really going to have to be on the same page defensively. They take care of the basketball.”

They also hit 3-pointers like nobody else, a nationally leading 45 percent (59-of-129). Cougars most apt to nail sprees of threes are starting guards Rob Gray (14-of-31 and a team-leading 19.4 scoring average), Damyean Dotson (20-of-37 averaging 13.9 points) and reserves Wes VanBeck (11-of-19) and Armoni Brooks (9-of-16).

“It’s one of those games we are really going to have to be playing some outstanding defense against a perimeter shooting team and a team that can attack off the dribble,” Anderson said. “They love to get to the free-throw line. They rebound well and Kelvin’s teams are always going to be hard-nosed defensively.”

Dotson, 6-5, averages 6.0 rebounds while 6-7 forward Devin Davis inside averages 12.7 points and a team-leading 7.4 rebounds.

Tonight marks the Cougars’ first venture out of Houston since LSU lit them up in Baton Rouge.

“I think any time you go on the road, you want to play better the next time you go out,” Anderson said. “You find out a little bit more about yourself. It’s much like when we went to Minnesota. We found out a little bit more about ourselves. We found out we were not as good as we thought we were. So we had a chance to go home and address some things. I’m sure Kelvin did the same thing with his team.”

Arkansas played perhaps its most complete game in routing Austin Peay 99-62 last Saturday at Walton, but junior college transfer guard Daryl Macon sprained an ankle landing on the ball after a dunk.

“He’s doing better,” Anderson said. “He didn’t practice yesterday (Sunday). He went through some limited stuff. But I expect him to be on the floor.”

Arkansas freshmen Adrio Bailey (14 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes) and C.J. Jones (11 points and three blocked shots in 15 minutes) were sensational in long stints off the bench against Austin Peay.

However, might Anderson be reticent to use them as much against a veteran Houston team starting two seniors, two juniors and a sophomore letterman?

“I think those guys are ready to play,” Anderson said. “They’ve earned the time. Those guys have done some positive things. Adrio had a career-high against Austin Peay. C.J. ever since the injury (a sprained knee early in the season), you can see he’s really starting to come on. They’ll be put out there early and see what they bring to the table. I think it really strengthens our bench, which we always know is going to be a big component of what we do.”

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