By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke has lived up to his reputation of being one of the nation’s top shooters so far this season, but the sophomore has learned something else after six games.
It’s getting increasingly harder to get open shots.
Clarke has been the focal point of defensive gameplans since scoring a school-record 51 points in the Razorbacks’ season-opening win against Alcorn State. And for good reason. He leads the Southeastern Conference in scoring (26.7) and has been a dynamic long-range threat for a team struggling with suspensions and injuries to key players.
“It’s been pretty tough on me,” Clarke said. “Last game it was especially hard to get loose. I think (South Alabama) did a really good job with the gameplan on me. It’s tough, but if my teammates find me in the right spots or I come off a screen I’ll eventually find an opening.”
Clarke will face another tough test when the Razorbacks (2-4) go on the road to play at Oklahoma (3-3) tonight at 7. It’s Arkansas’ first true road game of the season and will also be Clarke’s first game back in his home state since leaving Verdigris High to play for the Razorbacks.
“I’m excited about it,” Clarke said. “Not even being just in Oklahoma, but it being a road game and us having a chance to possibly make a statement away from home. Get a win there. Maybe that will turn things around for us and get us going in a positive direction.”
The challenge will be tougher if Arkansas plays without center Michael Washington, though. The senior, who was scratched from the South Alabama game not long before opening tip-off, is questionable with a sprained back.
If Washington can’t man the middle, Clarke knows he’ll have to work even harder to get good looks at the basket.
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey is confident Clarke will manage after watching him throughout November.
“It is going to mean something because it is in Oklahoma,” Pelphrey said of tonight’s challenge. “But very time he goes out he wants to play well. … I am sure with what he has been able to accomplish to this point in time — and with Mike being out, too — he becomes number one on the chalkboard in terms of who to stop for Oklahoma. “
Clarke has been consistent this season. He is the only Arkansas player to score in double figures in every game.
He has done most of his damage behind the 3-point line, making 35 of 61 attempts (57.4 percent) and leads the SEC in both categories. Pelphrey said the success rate has been “remarkable” considering the attention he receives.
“That is big, big-time shooting,” Pelphrey said. “I said before the year that things are different between him this year and a year ago. He is getting on balance a lot quicker and better — not that it was bad — but I think it helps him be more accurate and ready to shoot when it hits his hands. He doesn’t have a lot of time to make decisions on whether it is going to go up or not.”
Clarke also has worked to expand his offensive game in other ways. With opponents pushing up on the 3-point line to take away his long-range looks, Clarke has tried to put the ball on the floor and create off the dribble.
He has had more success getting to the free-throw line as a result, attempting 38 free throws after getting just 46 as a freshman. But there’s a catch. After shooting 93.5 percent from the line last year, Clarke is at 81.6 percent now and said his seven misses have been frustrating.
“I think it’s inexcusable for me to miss free throws,” Clarke said. “Especially when I shoot so many of them. …
“I probably haven’t been as focused as I should be when I step up to the line. I’ll change that the best I can.”
Arkansas certainly isn’t complaining, though.
There’s no telling where the Razorbacks would be without Clarke’s performance this season. Pelphrey is just hoping it will continue as teams continually try to slow him.
“There’s not a whole lot of room for error,” Pelphrey said. “When he gets an opportunity, it is like he has to make good on it. It is not easy to shake him loose.”
Tonight’s Ticket
Arkansas (2-4) at Oklahoma (3-3)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla.
TV: Razorback Sports Network
Radio: Razorback Sports Network
Coaches: Arkansas — John Pelphrey (39-32 in third season); Oklahoma — Jeff Capel (72-36 in fourth season)
Projected Lineups:
Arkansas — C Delvon Johnson (6-9, Jr., 3.5 ppg), PF Marshawn Powell (6-7, Fr., 14.3), SF Jemal Farmer (6-5, Jr., 13.0), SG Rotnei Clarke (6-0, So., 26.7), PG Julysses Nobles (6-1, Fr., 8.5)
Oklahoma — F Tiny Gallon (6-9, Fr., 12.3), G Tony Crocker (6-6, Sr., 10.2), G Steven Pledger (6-4, Fr., 13.7), G Cade Davis (6-5, Jr., 7.3), G Willie Warren (6-4, So., 20.4)
