Arkansas Razorbacks 79, Utah Valley 46: Final Tune-Up

The Hogs used their final non-conference game to showcase their finest defensive performance of the season.

Arkansas outrebounded the Wolverines 52-29 and held them to a season-low 46 points.

Alandise Harris led the Hogs with 17 points, a season-high for the Little Rock Central graduate.

Bobby Portis lost his 18-point streak, as he only managed 12 against UVU.

Michael Qualls had 11 and Moses Kingsley chipped in 10.

The starting five was Madden, Ky Madden, Jabril Durham, Kingsley and Portis.

Fans have been clamoring for Mike Anderson to start the sophomore forwards together, and they got their wish as the Razorbacks took an early 8-4 lead.

Anderson said in the postgame that he started them together to see what they would do, and that there was some good and some bad.

To be expected.

Utah Valley finished 17 of 58 from the field and coach Dick Hunsaker said he appreciated Anderson not running the score up and taking it easy on his Wolverines.

Other than that, the Hogs took care of business against an outmatched opponent and now turn their attention to SEC play at Georgia.

Last year Arkansas lost a tooth-and-nail affair in overtime at Stegeman Coliseum, and are looking for revenge and to get off to a good start in league play.

Harris said it would be "an all-out war" and Qualls said the teams have been doing nothing but defensive and rebounding drills in practice.

Kingsley said they got a gift last year and it's the Hogs' turn to get the gift back.

Hog fans would love an after-Christmas and post New Year's gift of opening SEC play with a road win.