By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forwards Michael Washington and Marshawn Powell dominated Ole Miss’ frontcourt during the Razorbacks’ win in Oxford in January.
On Saturday, Ole Miss’ big men evened the score.
Washington and Powell were limited to 17 points on 6 of 23 shooting in Arkansas’ 68-66 loss to the Rebels in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas’ inability to establish a consistent presence in the paint played a big hand in the Razorbacks’ second half collapse at home.
“I felt like they played more zone this game,” Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said. “We thought they were trying to limit touches for Mike and Marshawn.
“That was the tough part, trying to get them touches inside and it was tough to do that through that zone.”
Powell and Washington combined to score 41 points and grab 17 rebounds in the first meeting between teams, setting the tone in a second half in which the Hogs erased a seven-point deficit to win. However, Ole Miss relied on big men DeAundre Cranston, Murphy Holloway, Terrance Henry and Reginald Buckner to frustrate Arkansas’ post players throughout Saturday’s game.
Washington went 3-for-11 with 8 points and 9 rebounds. Powell was 3-for-12 with 9 points and 6 boards. The Hogs were outscored 22-18 in the paint.
“I thought our big guys did a better job of not allowing them to get deep touches,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “They obviously have us outsized. And before help can get there, they were overpowering us in the first outing. I thought we did a better job of not allowing them to get as many deep touches and when they did, we were certainly very help conscious.”
Ole Miss benefited from Buckner’s return. The forward missed the first meeting because of a sprained ankle, but Kennedy said his contributions were important on Saturday. He finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds and a team-high 4 blocked shots.
“He gives us a presence we don’t have,” Kennedy said. “Without him, we hit a slide a little bit. With him we’re a different team.”
Nobles Effort
Arkansas guard Julysses Nobles turned in one of his best offensive performances of the season, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes off the bench. Nobles went 4-for-7 from the field and was one of three players in double figures for the Razorbacks on Saturday.
“I thought he played pretty well,” Pelphrey said. “Probably the best he’s done all year in terms of scoring when we needed it. He made two big threes in the first half and another jump shot. He did well.”
Nobles — who didn’t play in Arkansas’ last game at Tennessee — scored eight points in the first half to help the Hogs build a 10-point cushion. He was pressed into late-game duties, too, replacing Courtney Fortson after the sophomore fouled out with 56 seconds left.
The performance wasn’t perfect, though. Nobles, who was shooting 57 percent from the free-throw line, missed an attempt that could’ve tied the game at 67-67 with 20 seconds left. He had a chance to tie the game a few seconds later, too, but his drive and shot attempt was blocked by Holloway to end the game.
“By no means was that a bad play,” Pelphrey said.
What Happened?
Arkansas made a peculiar decision that cost them a few seconds late in Saturday’s game.
Ole Miss beat the press in the frontcourt and got the ball to guard Chris Warren with less than 20 seconds remaining. Instead of instantly fouling Warren, the Razorbacks let a few seconds tick off the clock.
“That was a blown assignment,” Pelphrey said. “I believe it was Marcus (Britt). I think he actually told guys not to foul at one point when they crossed halfcourt. … We made a bad play.”
Warren made one of two free throws to push their lead to 68-66. It left Arkansas with 11 seconds.
“I didn’t understand it,” Kennedy said.
Nail Honored
Arkansas’ seniors weren’t the only ones honored in Bud Walton Arena on Saturday. Mike Nail, the school’s long-time radio announcer, was recognized at halftime.
Nail will retire after a 29-year career as the play-by-play man for radio broadcasts. Nail’s career spanned four coaches and more than 600 games, including the 1993-94 national championship season.
“The thing I’m asked about most is what is your most vivid memory,” Nail said during the halftime ceremony. “And let me tell you, hands down, without any question, my greatest memory of Razorbacks basketball over the last 29 years is the fans.”
Nail said he now will be among those fans next season, sitting in Bud Walton Arena for home games.
Missing Rebel
Ole Miss won despite playing without junior guard Eniel Polynice, who was suspended for indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Polynice, who had started 25 games this season, was averaging 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season.
