Razorbacks to face SMU, legendary head coach Larry Brown

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The Razorbacks will finish a three-game stretch at home tonight (Nov. 18) against SMU before making the 3,800-mile trip to Hawaii for the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson said SMU will prove to be a solid opponent, partly because of their legendary coach Larry Brown, who took over as head Mustang in 2012.

Brown is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, and is the only coach in history to win both an NCAA National Championship and an NBA Championship. He led the Kansas Jayhawks to a national title in 1988, and was the head coach of the Detroit Pistons during their most recent NBA championship season in 2004.

Brown’s play calling isn’t all Anderson is prepared for, though.

“They’re loaded,” said Anderson, who called newcomer Yanick Moreira one of the best junior college players in the country. The 6-foot-11 center was ranked as the No. 1 JUCO prospect by Rivals.com after averaging 18.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for South Plains C.C.

Arkansas has won the last 11 games against SMU, most recently in a 73-46 blowout in 1995 at Bud Walton Arena.

The Mustangs are coming off a 15-17 season, which ended with a 53-52 loss to UAB in the Conference USA Championship last March.

The Hogs (2-0) are coming off a hard-fought win over Louisiana on Friday. SMU also enters the matchup at 2-0.

Tipoff for Monday’s game is 7:05 p.m.

Preview the Arkansas vs. SMU game with Anderson and Qualls