Texas A&M @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2019 ) Texas A&M 87, Arkansas 80

Arkansas goes for a fourth straight victory when it opens SEC play at home Saturday against Texas A&M. The Razorbacks are coming off a win at Indiana on Sunday, while the Aggies just got by Texas Southern on Monday for their third consecutive victory.

Coach Buzz Williams hasn't seen a lot of offense from his team in his first season at the helm of Texas A&M, as it ranks last in the SEC in scoring by nearly 10 points - averaging just 57.7 points. Senior forward Josh Nebo and junior swingman Savion Flagg are the only two Texas A&M players averaging in double figures in scoring at 11.4 and 11.3 points, respectively. Arkansas has been nearly perfect this season, thanks in no small part to its defense, which ranks No. 1 in the nation in defending the 3-point shot - holding opponents to just 21.9 percent from beyond the arc. Offensively, the Razorbacks have a trio of dynamic guards in Mason Jones (19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds), Isaiah Joe (17.4, 4.7) and Jimmy Whitt Jr. (13.5, 5.6) leading the way for first-year coach Eric Musselman.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: SEC Network

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (6-5): The Aggies haven't been getting the results on their record, but the defense has been solid this season under Williams, holding opponents to just 60.8 points per game. Opponents are hitting just 38.6 percent from the field, including 28.6 percent from 3-point range, but unfortunately, those are both better percentages than the Aggies have been able to put together for themselves. Williams' teams are known for hard-nosed defense and a never-give-up attitude but he could have his hands full in the SEC going against some much bigger teams as Nebo is the team's tallest starter at 6-9.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (11-1): The Razorbacks have had to come from behind in their last two games against Valparaiso and Indiana, after trailing at halftime. Arkansas was down by five with just over four minutes to play against the Crusaders before winning by four, then rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit on the road against the Hoosiers for a seven-point win. The team's depth seemed to help against Indiana, as Arkansas closed on a 19-3 run over the game's final 8:08 to win going away.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Texas A&M is first in the SEC, committing just 14.5 personal fouls per game.

2. Arkansas ranks first in the SEC with 9.7 steals and 18.3 forced turnovers per game.

3. Joe and Whitt Jr. have been playing a lot this season, ranking 2-3 in the SEC in minutes per game with 37.2 and 35.4, respectively.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 83, Texas A&M 61