Missouri-Arkansas men’s basketball preview

▪ WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia

▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN2; KMBZ (98.1 FM)

▪ ABOUT MISSOURI (7-11, 1-4 SEC): The Tigers are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, the longest since a four-game skid in January 2007. Handling Arkansas’ relentless full-court pressure will be the key if Missouri is going to return to the win column. That burden primarily falls on sophomore Wes Clark, who is coming off a career-high 18 points that included a career-best four three-pointers. Senior Keith Shamburger also needs to be efficient. It wouldn’t be a bad night for sophomore forward Johnathan Williams III to reach double figures for the first time since Jan. 8 against LSU or Montaque Gill-Caesar for the first time since Dec. 30 versus Oklahoma State.

▪ ABOUT ARKANSAS (14-4, 3-2 SEC): The Razorbacks have feasted off opponents’ mistakes, forcing 16.3 turnovers per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. Sophomore forward Bobby Portis has a double-double in four consecutive games, and junior guard Michael Qualls is as athletic as they come. Qualls scored 30 points Thursday in a 93-91 overtime win against Alabama. Arkansas averages 83.5 points per game, but former Missouri coach Mike Anderson’s squad also allows 72.7 points per game. The Hogs have allowed at least 70 points in all five SEC games, including 93.5 on average the last two games.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 7:52 PM with the headline "Missouri-Arkansas men’s basketball preview."