Razorbacks report

Anderson looking for energy

Arkansas forward Reggie Chaney takes a shot while he is defended by Georgia Tech's Moses Wright (5) and James Banks III (1) during a game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in Fayetteville.
Arkansas forward Reggie Chaney takes a shot while he is defended by Georgia Tech's Moses Wright (5) and James Banks III (1) during a game Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson has used the same starting lineup in his team's first 10 games.

That could change Saturday when the Razorbacks play Texas State in Walton Arena.

"I might shake up the lineup," Anderson said on Thursday. "Sometimes you get complacent and you've got to shake it up a little bit so we get that energy we've got to play with."

The Razorbacks have looked sluggish at times in going 2-1 their last three games while losing to Western Kentucky 78-77 in Walton Arena on Dec. 8, beating Texas-San Antonio 79-67 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock a week later and losing to Georgia Tech 69-65 in Walton Arena on Wednesday night.

"I'll see here in the next couple days in practice in terms of who's going to be in the lineup," Anderson said. "But I just think we need an infusion of energy. I think I need energy guys out there."

Junior forward Adrio Bailey is 1 of 13 from the field in the past 3 games, and Anderson could choose to start freshman Reggie Chaney in his place.

Anderson started Chaney in the second half for Bailey against UTSA and Georgia Tech. Over the last four games Chaney is averaging 8.0 points.

Bailey has seen his scoring average drop from 10.9 points to 7.8 since he hit 5 of 7 shots and scored 10 points at Colorado State.

Against Georgia Tech Bailey missed was 0 of 4 -- with every shot a layup attempt -- and missed twice inside when the Razorbacks could have built on a 43-38 lead. He looked tentative and on another had a shot blocked by James Banks.

"Confidence is a big part of this game," Anderson said when asked about Bailey's struggles. "You have to be ready. When you go out on that floor, however many minutes you play, you have to be ready.

"Some of those were momentum plays. We were up five with a chance to go up seven, maybe eight if they foul us ... It's something he has to figure out hopefully to help our team."

Freshman guard Desi Sills, averaging 8.0 points the last four games, is another player Anderson might look to put in the starting lineup to inject some energy.

Along with Bailey the starting lineup for the Razorbacks has been sophomore forward Daniel Gafford, sophomore guards Mason Jones and Jalen Harris and freshman guard Isaiah Joe.

40 Minutes of Jose

Georgia Tech senior point guard Jose Alvarado never came off the court against Arkansas.

Alvarado played all 40 minutes and had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals to lead the Yellow Jackets to their first road victory of the season.

"We're pressing the whole game and he had the ball in his hands, so for him to play that good and not get tired and for their coach [Josh Pastner] to trust him for 40 minutes is impressive," Arkansas sophomore guard Mason Jones said. "He did have a good game and you have to give credit when credit is due."

Alvarado is the first opposing player to go 40 minutes and win at Arkansas since LSU forward Jarrell Martin had 27 points in the Tigers' 81-78 victory on March 7, 2015.

"I dealt with it pretty good. We got the win," Alvarado said of playing every minute against the Razorbacks. "My guys have got my back. They talked to me the whole game and told me, 'Just keep playing. Just keep playing.'

"That's what really gets me going. I just do it for them."

Been a while

Arkansas sophomore point guard Jalen Harris committed his first turnover in 95 minutes when he made a bad pass with 16:20 left against Georgia Tech. He finished with 4 assists and 2 turnovers in 31 minutes.

Harris has 72 assists and 11 turnovers in 308 minutes.

Vs. ACC

Arkansas fell to 15-25 in 40 games against ACC teams with Georgia Tech's victory over the Razorbacks.

Return game

Arkansas and Georgia Tech scheduled a home-and-home series. The Razorbacks play the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta next season on Nov. 25 at McCamish Pavilion. It will be Arkansas' first road game at Georgia Tech since the Yellow Jackets beat the Razorbacks 88-75 on Jan. 25, 1966.

Sports on 12/21/2018

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