After scoring 130 points last Friday against Alcorn State including 51 from guard Rotnei Clark, Arkansas most definitely did not score 130 points against 22nd-ranked Louisville Tuesday night.
It was closer to half that, actually, and the Hogs lost to the Cardinals 96-66.
Arkansas looked up to the challenge against Rick Pitino’s team in the first 15 minutes. The game was tied with 6:32 remaining in the first half.
But Arkansas went cold and Louisville went on a run to close out the period, and the Cardinals led the Hogs by 17 at the break, 48-31.
The Hogs came out inspired in the second half, opening with a 14-0 run to close to within three points of the Cardinals, 48-45, but that proved to be as close as the Hogs would get. Louisville reopened their lead and never let up to beat the Hogs by 30.
Rotnei Clark led the Razorbacks with 16 points, despite being blanketed by Louisville defenders all night. Marshawn Powell added 15 and pulled down 11 rebounds for his second double-double in his first two collegiate games.
Arkansas was again playing with only six scholarship basketball players, a golfer, and a freshman backup quarterback from the football team due to the suspension of 5 players.
ESPN reported last night during the telecast that Stefan Welsh is close to completing whatever work he has to do to end his suspension. They also reported that all suspended players except guard Courtney Fortson are practicing with the team currently.
The good news is that Arkansas will get Glenn Bryant back from suspension on Friday when the Hogs take on Appalachian State at Bud Walton Arena.
