Last week, the LSU Tigers handed the Cougars their first loss of the season in a 84-65 decision. | Ryan McCarble/The Daily Reveille
The Cougars will face a Southeastern Conference opponent for the second time in three games when they travel to take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks Tuesday.
A seventh win of the season is in The Cougars’ sights after a 105-61 rout of Prairie View A&M University in Hofheinz Pavilion Saturday.
Junior guard Rob Gray Jr., who leads the Cougars in scoring on the season with 19.4 points per game, led the way again versus Prairie View as he put up 23 points. Gray shot 58 percent from the field, made all four of his three-point attempts, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists.
As a team, the Cougars outrebounded Prairie View 50-24 just one game after the team was minus-18 on the glass against Louisiana State University.
Freshman Armoni Brooks saw an increase in minutes, as he logged 21 for the game, an increase from his season average of 12.2. Brooks shot 44 percent from the field, but 57 percent from deep to finish with 12 points.
He also added five rebounds and one steal.
The Razorbacks enter Tuesday’s matchup with an identical 6-1 record to the Cougars. They also own their largest margin of victory after downing Austin Peay State University 99-62.
Redshirt senior guard Dusty Hannahs leads Arkansas in scoring with 16.1 points per game on 43 percent shooting.
The Razorbacks have three other players who are scoring in double figures on the season. Junior guard Jaylon Barford is averaging 11.6 points per game, junior Daryl Macon is scoring 10.6 and senior forward Moses Kingsley is adding 10.4.
Kingsley also leads the team in rebounds per game with 7.9.
To win, the Cougars’ defense must stop a Razorback offense that is scoring 84.3 points per contest. The Cougars have only given up that many points just once this season in their sole loss to LSU.
On the offense side, the Cougars have been explosive as they have scored 80 or more points in seven of their nine games. They will look to exploit an Arkansas defense that is allowing 71.4 points per game this year.
Tipoff is at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena. The match is aired on the SEC Network.
