The Arkansas Razorbacks (14-9, 3-7 SEC) will host the LSU Tigers (12-11, 1-9 SEC) in a crucial SEC matchup on Wednesday night in Fayetteville. Both teams are looking to turn their seasons around, with John Calipari’s Arkansas aiming to snap a rough stretch and LSU seeking to climb out of the SEC basement.
Meanwhile, LSU had its second SEC win in sight, up by 11 against No. 25 Ole Miss with just 3:15 left. But things fell apart for the Tigers as they couldn’t score again, and Ole Miss went on a 13-0 run to take the lead. The game took a crazy twist when Dre Davis made a putback for the win. It was first called offensive interference but was overturned, counting it as the game-winning basket. It was a tough loss for LSU, and it’s a reminder of their struggles to close out games as they gear up for today’s matchup.
Injuries and lineups: Who’s in and who’s out?
Boogie Fland is still out after injuring his hand against Florida on January 11. He tried to push through it, but it was clear he wasn’t at his best, so the decision was made to shut him down for the season. Before the injury, he was putting up solid numbers—15.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. There haven’t been any updates on his recovery, so don’t expect to see him in action against LSU.
Jalen Reed remains out for the season after suffering a knee injury back in early December. Meanwhile, Vyctorius Miller has been dealing with nagging injuries and hasn’t been at full strength, averaging just 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in conference play. No word on any improvements, so LSU will likely be without both players for this one.
Due to these injuries, both Arkansas and LSU are expected to field their usual starting lineups,
Arkansas Razorbacks:
G: Johnell Davis (#1)
G: D.J. Wagner (#21)
F: Karter Knox (#11)
F: Adou Thiero (#3)
F: Zvonimir Ivisic (#44)
LSU Tigers:
G: Jordan Sears (#1)
G: Cam Carter (#5)
G: Dji Bailey (#4)
F: Daimion Collins (#10)
F: Corey Chest (#11)
According to ESPN Analytics, Arkansas enters the matchup with a strong advantage, holding a 72.9% chance to defeat LSU, while the Tigers have just a 27.1% chance to pull off the upset. The Razorbacks’ superior momentum and talent, combined with LSU’s recent struggles, make Arkansas the clear favorite in this SEC showdown.
No Fear, No Limits: John Calipari pushes Arkansas to deal the SEC Challenge
John Calipari has made one thing clear—Arkansas needs to play with fearlessness. After a tough loss to Alabama, where the Razorbacks almost pulled off a comeback, the message is straightforward: no hesitation, no fear. This mindset will be crucial against LSU. Zvonimir Ivisic is coming off his best game of the year, scoring 27 points against Alabama. Adou Thiero and D.J. Wagner will also need to step up. But above all, Calipari wants his team to trust themselves and attack.
LSU is struggling, having lost five straight games and failing to find consistency. While the Tigers remain competitive, they’ve struggled to finish games, with a two-point loss to Ole Miss and a blowout defeat to Texas raising concerns. Cam Carter, averaging 17.0 PPG, is their go-to scorer, and Jordan Sears has been consistent. However, defensively, LSU is allowing over 79 points per game, a significant issue against an Arkansas team that thrives in transition.
Despite the Alabama loss, Arkansas has momentum. LSU, missing Jalen Reed for the season and with Vyctorius Miller battling injuries, has shown they can’t close out SEC games. With a thinner roster, LSU is at a disadvantage. If Arkansas plays with pace and sticks to Calipari’s “fearless” approach, they should take care of business at home. Arkansas has the edge, but only if they fully embrace Calipari’s mantra: no doubt, no second-guessing—just play.
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