Tulsa @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 2, 2007 ) Tulsa 59, Arkansas 68

Arkansas tries to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it hosts Tulsa in a non-conference contest on Saturday afternoon. The Razorbacks fell at Western Kentucky in overtime last Saturday, while the Golden Hurricane are coming off a home win over Boise State on Wednesday.

Tulsa is led by junior forward Brandon Rachal, who is averaging 15.3 points and 7 rebounds per game. Junior forward Jeriah Horne is the only other Golden Hurricane player averaging in double digits with 10.2 points off the bench, though Tulsa is averaging 70.7 points due to a balanced scoring attack. Arkansas has been playing some solid defense under new coach Eric Musselman, though Western Kentucky became the first team to score more than 61 points on the Razorbacks in their last game. Guards Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe led a potent Arkansas attack, averaging 16.9 and 16 points, respectively, while guard Jimmy Whitt Jr. is contributing 14.9 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds a game.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU.

ABOUT TULSA (8-2): One player who could make even more of an impact on the Golden Hurricane as the season progresses is freshman point guard Isaiah Hill, who is coming off a 14-point performance in the win over Boise State. Starting point guard Elijah Joiner was hit with two early fouls, but Hill entered the game and had no trouble leading the Tulsa offense, giving coach Frank Haith plenty of confidence in him. Not that Haith hasn't been showing confidence in Hill, who is averaging 23.6 minutes per game and has already made seven starts, but the freshman continues to impress with his play and carve himself a bigger role on the team.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (8-1): An area that has been a problem for the Razorbacks over their last two games has been turnovers, with Arkansas committing 36 total against Austin Peay and Western Kentucky. Musselman had made turnovers a focus of the team early this season, and the Razorbacks had done well, leading the SEC in the category with just 12.6 per game prior to the last two games. Now, Arkansas is sixth in the conference with 13.8 per contest, and Musselman is on his team to change the trend before it costs the Razorbacks another win.

TIP-INS

1. Tulsa's depth has been shown by the production from its reserves, as bench players are averaging 25.4 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists.

2. Arkansas is second in the nation in defense against the 3-pointer, allowing opponents to shoot just 20.6 percent from beyond the arc.

3. Razorbacks G Desi Sills scored a career-high 20 points in the loss to Western Kentucky.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 73, Tulsa 62