Tigers take aim at 18th-ranked Razorbacks

Dec 7, 2014 - 3:28 PM Clemson, SC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Clemson Tigers will play the first of three straight SEC opponents, as they welcome the 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks to Littlejohn Coliseum for non-conference action on Sunday.

The Tigers have already secured a win over an SEC foe, beating LSU (64-61) in the final round of the Paradise Jam. However, the team has split its two games since that in-season tournament, edging out High Point (62-59) before losing to Rutgers (69-64) as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge last week.

The Razorbacks are off to a strong 6-1 start to the year that has put them firmly in the Top-25. However, the team is in unfamiliar territory after winning the first six games of the season, as Arkansas dropped a humbling 95-77 decision at nationally-ranked Iowa State on Thursday as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Arkansas has won both previous meetings with Clemson, including a 74-68 win at Bud Walton Arena last season.

The Cyclones unloaded on the Razorbacks, shooting a scorching 64.3 percent from the floor in the first half to stroll into intermission with a gaudy 52-32 lead. Arkansas was unable to really get back into the contest, as ISU continued its torrid pace, shooting 63.6 percent over the final 20 minutes of play to earn the lopsided win. The loss spoiled a strong performance by Bobby Portis, who finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds. Alandise Harris netted 15 points, while Rashad Madden and Michael Qualls chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Scoring points hasn't been a problem at all for Arkansas this year, as the team shoots a healthy .472 from the floor, a number bolstered by an impressive .443 from behind the arc (62-of-140). The result is a scoring average of 88.1 ppg that ranks in the top-10 in the nation. Scoring depth is apparent with four of the team's five starters averaging double figures. Portis is the best of the bunch, shooting .558 from the floor and pacing the team in both scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg). Qualls (14.6 ppg) is a close second in the scoring column, followed by Anthlon Bell (11.9 ppg) and Madden (11.4 ppg).

Clemson lacks the firepower to win a shootout with Arkansas and would be best served to slow things down. The Tigers are averaging a modest 68.4 ppg, but have played tight defense, limiting foes to just 61.3 ppg. Like the Razorbacks, four of Clemson's starters average double digits in points. Guard Damarcus Harrison leads the charge with 11.9 ppg. Center Landry Nnoko (11.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and forward Jaron Blossomgame (11.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg) are an effective duo up front. Freshman forward Dante Grantham (10.4 ppg) adds depth.

Tied at the half with Rutgers, Clemson just failed to get over the hump against the Scarlet Knights and dropped the five-point affair at home. Harrison led the team in defeat with 15 points. Blossomgame recorded a double- double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Rod Hall and Grantham added 10 points each in the loss.