Preview: Mississippi Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The surging, 15th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks look to continue their march through the Southeastern Conference tournament when they face the upset-minded Mississippi Rebels in a semifinal matchup Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.

Arkansas (24-8), the tournament’s seed, enters as an 8.5-point favorite after a gritty 82-79 quarterfinal win over Oklahoma on Friday. The Razorbacks are powered by star guard Darius Acuff Jr., who is coming off a 37-point, five-assist performance. Acuff has been spectacular, averaging 28.8 points over his last five games, including a 49-point outing in a double-overtime loss at Alabama last month.

Mississippi (15-19), the seed, has engineered an improbable run to the semifinals, winning three games in three days. The Rebels advanced with a dramatic 80-79 victory over Alabama on Friday, capped by AJ Storr’s 17-point effort. Storr has been the catalyst, averaging 17.1 points during the tournament streak, including 26 in the win at Auburn on Feb. 28.

The Razorbacks won the regular-season meeting 94-87 in Oxford on Jan. 7. Acuff scored 22 points in that contest.

Arkansas boasts a potent offense, averaging 88.2 points per game, but has shown occasional defensive lapses, as in a 111-77 loss at Florida. Mississippi, which has struggled defensively for much of the season, has found a rhythm in Nashville, winning tight games with timely scoring.

The matchup features two of the SEC’s top scorers in Acuff and Storr. How Mississippi contains Acuff, and whether the Rebels’ fatigued legs can withstand a fourth game in as many days against a rested Arkansas team that received a double-bye, will be pivotal.

The over/under is set at 158.5 points.

Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s SEC tournament championship game.