ESPN.com - College Basketball - Preview Top 25 -- No. 21 Arkansas

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Thursday, November 2
Preview Top 25 -- No. 21 Arkansas

21. ARKANSAS	LAST YEAR: 19-15	'99-00 RANK: NR
Why No. 21?: Arkansas got the nod over the Tide because of its finish in the SEC tournament. Arkansas is a proven commodity, while Alabama should be a contender in the SEC West if it remains healthy and gets an impact year from Wallace. The Razorbacks were the surprise team in the SEC tournament, winning it to earn an NCAA berth. The Razorbacks are getting back to being a disruptive team to play and getting back their homecourt advantage at Bud Walton Arena. The key is Joe Johnson, the sophomore forward who is coming back from a foot injury over the summer. Johnson is a legit, SEC-leading-type scorer. He can finish, create and start the fast break. Brandon Dean and Teddy Gipson have settled in as a reliable backcourt and Alonzo Lane is developing into a proven post player. The Razorbacks still don't have a traditional center, but don't need one with their aggressive style of play, especially defensively. Will Climb If: They keep winning non-conference games. It sounds simple, but it's true. Arkansas won't get a lot of pub early because the Razorbacks don't play anyone in the top 50 outside of Oklahoma State. But the Cowboys are ripe to be beaten early in the year with only three returnees. Winning builds confidence and Arkansas can match Alabama throughout the non-conference. Arkansas should be ready to go, Johnson healthy and the defensive primed when the SEC begins in January. Will Fall If: Rebounding becomes too much of an issue without a proven third frontcourt starter and/or Johnson is still slowed by the foot injury. Arkansas shouldn't have a problem scoring from the perimeter, but if it can't rebound on the offensive end they Razorbacks will be in trouble. Arkansas catches a break by playing host to Kentucky and Tennessee from the SEC East. But they can't afford any losses to second-tier SEC teams if they want to hold off Alabama. Bilas Breakdown \| HTV's Take \| Team Page

"The Tide will tumble twice to the Tigers this year. Mark it on your calendar, once in Auburn and once in the SEC tourney. Harrington will make a strong push for player of the year in the conference. Alabama's newcomers are getting all the hype and I thank you guys for giving it to them. Please keep hyping them up just like you did in football this year."
Jason Brown, Dothan, Ala.

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