NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It’s been a streaky basketball season for Arkansas.
In November and early December, the Razorbacks had a four- game losing streak. They bounced back to put together a four-game winning streak going into the Christmas break.
January started with a four game losing streak before Arkansas got on a five-game winning streak that lasted into early February. Then came a five-game losing streak to end the regular season.
Now would be a good time for Arkansas to start a new winning streak.
The Razorbacks (14-17, 7-9)open the SEC Tournament against Georgia (13-16, 5-11) at 8:45 p.m. today at Bridgestone Arena.
Win tonight and in the next three games, and the Razorbacks will earn the SEC’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
“Of course we want to get back on a winning streak again,” Arkansas sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke said. “In order to do that, we know we’ve got to play really, really good basketball.
“We want to show we can compete and make a run in this tournament. I feel like our team has a lot to prove.”
Georgia Coach Mark Fox, whose Bulldogs blew a 15-point lead in losing at home to Arkansas 72-68 on Feb. 3, said most teams experience “peaks and valleys” during the season.
“I’m sure Arkansas will be excited for a fresh start in the SEC Tournament, just like we are,” Fox said. “Both teams are probably hungry for a new beginning.”
The last time Arkansas came into the SEC Tournament with a 7-9 conference record and played a first round game against Georgia, it worked out pretty well for the Razorbacks.
It was in 2000, when Arkansas won four games in four days - over Georgia, Kentucky, LSU and Auburn - to earn an automatic NCAA Tournament bid and take its only SEC Tournament title.
“I wasn’t aware of all that,” Razorbacks sophomore guard Courtney Fortson said. “That’s basically a mirror image.”
The Razorbacks have a chance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2000 SEC Tournament title by repeating it.
“Certainly being a Razorback we love the history,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said. “We’re appreciative of what those young men did for Arkansas.
“It wasn’t easy. It’s a tremendous feat and it needs to be celebrated and remembered, especially by us being Razorbacks.”
But Pelphrey said he’s not sure how much impact what the 2000 Razorbacks did will have on this season’s team, even if the circumstances going into the SEC Tournament are similar.
“The bottom line is you can’t win the fourth game unless you win the first one.,” Pelphrey said. “So we’re going to put all our efforts and energy into trying to get through these next 40 minutes, and if we’re fortunate enough [to win], we’ll deal with the next 40.
“But it’s great that we have a history like we do at Arkansas, and hopefully we can work hard and make our own history and be a part of it.”
Georgia also will be trying to draw on some positive SEC Tournament history. In 2008 the Bulldogs were the East’s No. 6 seed at 4-12, but won the title by beating Ole Miss, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
The Bulldogs actually won two games in the same day after the schedule had to be revamped because a tornado damaged the Georgia Dome.
“I remember it like it was yesterday, coming in as an underdog and winning it all,” said Georgia senior center Albert Jackson, the lone remaining starter from the 2008 team. “It was a special stretch we put together.
“A lot of people called it a magical run, but we always felt we could beat those teams.”
Jackson said he’s told his teammates this season they can win the SEC Tournament again.
“I think we have a better all-around team talent-wise now than we did two years ago,” Jackson said. “It’s about pulling together at the right time.
“If we can do that - and play tough defense - I’m confident we can do some big things.”
Fox, in his first season as Georgia’s coach, joked that he’s not “going to pray for a tornado” to duplicate what the Bulldogs pulled off in 2008.
“But we have a picture of that team holding a trophy that’s in our locker room,” Fox said. “They see it every day.”
Several Razorbacks said the team has put the five-game losing streak behind it.
“There’s nothing we can do about those losses we’ve already had,” freshman forward Marshawn Powell said. “All we can do is continue to work and get better.
“We’re going to be ready for Georgia.”
Jackson said the Bulldogs will be ready for Arkansas, too.
“This SEC Tournament is like a whole new season,” Jackson said. ”All the things you may not have accomplished in the regular season, now you’ve got a chance to do them.
“Knowing you can win a championship in four days is an amazing thing to think about.”
Sports, Pages 15 on 03/11/2010