SIDEBARS

February, 2018

It’s been a rough season for Vanderbilt so far, but one thing Arkansas knew heading into Saturday’s game is the Commodores like to shoot threes.

And the Razorbacks were ready, stifling Vandy’s long range baskets in a 72-54 blowout win at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday.

“We made it a point to guard the three-point line and make sure we would be there to contest the shooters,” said Mike Anderson, head coach of Arkansas.

Vanderbilt came in second in the SEC in three pointers attempted, averaging 25 a game. They make 33 percent of those. But Saturday night the Hogs held them to 3-26 for just 12 percent.

“When they caught the ball, we were right there,” Anderson said. “We tried to make them uncomfortable and get them out of rhythm.”

The Commodores two best three-point shooters, Jeff Roberson and Riley LaChance, entered Saturday shooting 40 percent each from three, but the Arkansas defense held them to a combined 1-11.

“We knew that they were a good three-point shooting team,” said Daryl Macon, guard for Arkansas. “You got to make them drive [to the basket] first and shoot second.”

While Vandy was struggling, the Hogs were having no such trouble.

Arkansas went 9-17 from behind the line, outscoring the Commodores 27-9 in threes.

Arkansas travels to Oxford this Tuesday to take on the Ole Miss Rebels.