Stay alert, Alabama coach Nate Oats cautioned.
“I think it’s going to be tooth and nail all the way through,” Oats said. “They’re talented, man. Like, really talented.”
Only the thinnest of lines separates these Southeastern Conference contenders, two of the SEC’s four ranked teams, as they race for one of four double-byes in the league tournament.
Alabama (18-7, 8-4 SEC) is averaging 91.8 points per game, tied for second in NCAA Division I, and is third in adjusted offensive efficiency in the KenPom rankings.
Arkansas (19-6, 9-3) is averaging 88.8 points per game and is ranked fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency. The teams are 17-18 in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency margin, which measures overall performance, with the Razorbacks a bristle ahead.
“We’re a downhill running team that can shoot,” Arkansas coach John Calipari said.
Arkansas has won three in a row by double digits, the latest an 88-75 revenge victory over Auburn in which freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. continued to flash his one-and-done skills and athletic Billy Richmond III had a career game.
Acuff tied a career high with 31 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers with seven assists against Auburn. He is averaging 21.2 points and 6.3 assists in SEC games, on pace to become the first player to lead in both categories in league play since 1990-91, when full stats were available.
Richmond — known as Billy Goat — had a career-high 25 points on 12 of 15 shooting, sprinkling in dunks and reverse layups, against the Tigers. He added four assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
“He plays with so much energy and passion, the body language screams,” Calipari said. “I know what I’m getting from him every night he plays.”
The Razorbacks are shooting 50.4 percent from the field, tops in the SEC. Alabama is at 45.56.
Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile had 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots against Auburn.
“If that is Trevon Brazile, what we saw today and in the last couple of games, we’re really good,” Calipari said. “Because he is playing rougher.”
Alabama has won four in a row, the last two by double figures, since a 100-77 road loss to No. 12 Florida on Feb. 1.
The Crimson Tide enters after a team effort 89-75 home victory over South Carolina on Saturday. Aden Holloway (20 points), Labaron Philon Jr. (19) and reserve Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (19) combined to make 11 of 19 3-pointers. Amari Allen had eight points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Alabama averages 12.8 made 3-pointers and 35.9 attempts per game, second and first in Division I, respectively. The Tide has made at least 12 in six straight games.
Leading scorer Philon (21.3 points) has made 55 3-pointers. Holloway (17.0) and Acuff have made 60 threes.
Alabama forward Taylor Bol Bowen, who has made 11 starts, did not play against South Carolina and has played sparingly after suffering a leg injury against Florida. He is day-to-day.
“We’ve got the offensive firepower,” Oats said. “We’ve got good defensive players when they want to get locked in. We get a lead, and it feels like we get comfortable and we can’t put teams away.
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue (against Arkansas).”
