Was it really only two-and-a-half weeks ago that Arkansas looked like one of the hottest teams, and some foolish blogger declared that the homecourt advantage of Arkansas was restored? Er, not so much. Since that heady finish to the non-conference schedule where they knocked off Oklahoma and Texas, the Razorbacks have been winless in conference play. The latest, a 73-51 loss to Auburn in Fayetteville.This was the fourth straight loss for Arkansas since the big wins over the best of the Big 12. Not only have the Razorbacks lost their first four conference games, but two of the losses have been home losses with big second-half collapses.
The consistent feature in all of their conference losses has been the inability to score. In the non-conference portion of the schedule, Arkansas scored less than 67 points only once (they averaged over 81 points per game). They have not cracked 65 points in SEC action, averaging only 59.25 points per game.
Arkansas has won this season when they can outscore opponents. They are a young team, and their defensive effort has been spotty at best. When the offense is working, they are more active on defense. With the offense struggling, it is having an effect on the defensive effort. More frustration and dumb fouls.
This game was typical of Arkansas's struggles. A perpetually rebuilding Auburn team was able to get the ball inside, or just kick it out for open looks on the perimeter. The Tigers did not have to worry about turnovers and merely had to move the ball just a little to find a good shot.
Where once Arkansas seemed to be an early lock to be in the NCAA Tournament, they are now looking outside of the bubble. The SEC is way down, and Arkansas still has yet to win a game in the conference. They still have games with Tennessee, LSU (twice) and Kentucky. They are going to have to finish at least 10-2 the rest of the way in conference just to finish 10-6 and get back in the conversation.
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North Carolina State's Tracy Smith (23) tries to pass Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Boston. Boston College won 79-68. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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Butler forward Willie Veasley (21) puts up a shot against Wisconsin-Milwaukee guard Deonte Roberts, left, and forward James Eayrs during the second half of an college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Butler won 78-48. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Boston College's Tyrese Rice, center, goes up to shoot between North Carolina State's Dennis Horner, left, and Farnold Degand (12) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Boston. Boston College won 79-68. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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Butler guard Shawn Vanzant, right, puts up a shot over Wisconsin-Milwaukee forward Burleigh Porte during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Butler won 78-48. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Kansas' Sherron Collins, left, talks with Iowa State's Craig Brackins after this NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Ames, Iowa. Collins scored 26 points as Kansas won 82-67. Brackins scored 42 for Iowa State in the loss. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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Texas Tech's Robert Lewandowski, top, dunks the ball over Missouri's DeMarre Carroll, left, and Kim English, right, for two of his team high 16 points during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 97-86. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
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Missouri's DeMarre Carroll laughs after he was fouled while shooting during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. Carroll had a game high 27 points in Missouri's 97-86 victory. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
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Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight, right, argues a call with a referee during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against Missouri, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 97-86. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
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Arkansas coach John Pelphrey, center, talks to player Courtney Fortson, right, as the team looks on during a timeout late in the second half against Auburn in an NCAA college basketball game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Arkansas lost to Auburn 73-51 and dropped to 0-4 in Southeastern Conference play. (AP Photo/April L. Brown)
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Auburn coach Jeff Lebo questions a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Auburn won 73-51. (AP Photo/April L. Brown)
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