By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell blamed himself for Oklahoma’s 3-point shooting barrage.

The freshman said it was his man, guard Tony Crocker, who got the Sooners going by knocking down a deep 3-pointer late in the first half Wednesday night.

It led to another 3-pointer, then another, then another in a stretch in which Oklahoma turned an eight-point deficit into a seven-point halftime lead.

“I put that all on me,” Powell said Thursday. “It started off with my man hitting two. …

“It was because I like, relaxed. (Arkansas) coach (John Pelphrey) told me about it. I was just relaxing on ‘D.’ I didn’t think my man was going to shoot it.”

Powell may have accepted responsibility for Oklahoma’s hot shooting during the Sooners’ 67-47 win against Arkansas, but he’s not solely responsible for the Razorbacks’ season-long struggles from the perimeter.

The Razorbacks have allowed opponents to shoot a blistering, 42.5 percent (65 of 153) behind the 3-point line this season. The problems have been a big part of the 2-5 start, Arkansas’ worst since 1973-74.

“It’s a big number,” said Pelphrey, who added that the Razorbacks have run into guard-oriented teams. “I don’t like it. It needs to be down around 30 (percent). …

“I’m surprised. For whatever reason, they’ve made some 3-point shots against us here of late.”

Oklahoma finished 9 of 21 behind the line Wednesday night, getting most of its production in the first half. The Sooners knocked down seven 3-pointers, including six in the final 3:37 of the half.

It helped them flip a 22-14 deficit into a 34-27 advantage at the break. The momentum seemed to carry over to the second half, when the Hogs never got on track and the Sooners scored a 20-point win.

“We were in pretty good shape (Wednesday) night through the first 18 minutes and then Crocker hits a deep one,” Pelphrey said. “We had our feet out there, not totally above the line, but we were on it. He made a play. It kind of really ignited them. Then he got another one. Then we had the two turnovers that led to two more. … It has been a problem.”

It has been a carryover from last season, too, when Arkansas also was last in the Southeastern Conference in 3-point defense. Opponents beat the Razorbacks by making 36.9 percent of their 3-point attempts.

Fixing the problem was an emphasis for Pelphrey in the offseason. However, there hasn’t been any improvement.

Louisville made 15 3-pointers against the Razorbacks in St. Louis. Appalachian State made 10 a few days later, pushing Arkansas to overtime. And East Tennessee State was 11-for-14 from long range last week.

“We obviously have to do a better job,” forward Michael Sanchez said. “We’ve been working on that a lot in practice. I feel like our team is getting better.”

When asked if it was realistic to think the Razorbacks’ perimeter defense can improve, Pelphrey said: “I hope so. It’s going to need to.”

The next opportunity comes against Mississippi Valley State (1-6) on Friday. The Delta Devils use a three-guard lineup, but haven’t been strong from long range.

Mississippi Valley State made 4 of 20 attempts in last week’s loss to Kennesaw State and is shooting 30.6 percent from 3-point range this season.

Arkansas is hoping the Delta Devils won’t improve during Friday’s game.

“We’ve just got to stay focused and lock down on ‘D,’” Powell said. “There’s not too much more you can say.”

Washington Update
Pelphrey said center Michael Washington remains day-to-day with a sprained back, but noticed at least one improvement in the senior Thursday.

“He’s walking upright, which is positive,” Pelphrey said. “He’s obviously had some severe pain there, but he seems to be better (Thursday).”

Washington has missed two straight games after suffering the injury during pregame before the 74-61 loss to South Alabama. Arkansas has turned in its two lowest offensive outings of the season since losing Washington, who is averaging 14 points a game.

Three-Point Woes
Arkansas’ opponents are shooting 42.5 percent from behind the 3-point line this season, which is last in the SEC. Here’s a look at how the Razorbacks’ opponents have fared from long range through seven games:

Opponent    Made-Attempt    FG%
Alcorn St.    6-22    27.3
Louisville    15-38    39.5
Appalachian St.    10-28    35.7
Morgan St.    9-19    47.4
E. Tennessee St.    11-14    78.6
South Alabama    5-11    45.5
Oklahoma    9-21    42.9