Arkansas vs LSU: 2022 SEC Tournament game preview, TV schedule

2022 SEC Tournament Game Preview: Arkansas vs LSU

When: Friday, March 11 at 2:00 pm ET on ESPN

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL

One of the more-intriguing quarterfinal matchups set for Friday afternoon at the 2022 SEC Tournament, Arkansas and LSU face-off in the 4/5 matchup for the third time this season.

The No. 4 seed in the 2022 SEC Tournament, Arkansas comes to Tampa as winners in five of their last six games, as well as having lost only two games since January 8. One of those two losses did come in the regular season finale however, with the Razorbacks falling on the road to Tennessee 78-74.

As mentioned previously, the Razorbacks finished the regular season with a 13-5 record to claim the conference’s No. 4 seed this week, as well as owning a 24-7 overall record entering the week. Averaging 77.3 PPG and allowing 68.2 PPG, the Razorbacks are also one of the conference’s top defensive teams, ranking No. 15 nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.

A talented team overall, Arkansas are led by two First Team All-SEC selections in JD Notae and Jaylin Williams, as well as two other starters in wings Stanley Umude and Au’Diese Toney who also average in double-figures. Two other guards in Davonte Davis and Chris Lykes also play key roles off the Razorbacks bench, while Trey Wade is the primary depth option in the frontcourt.

LSU on the other hand reached the quarterfinal round by dominating their second round matchup, topping Missouri 76-68. Despite Missouri making it a single-digit game late, LSU led for all of the contest, partly due to an impressive start where the Tigers held a 34-9 lead with under five minutes remaining in the first half.

Already safely in the NCAA Tournament at 22-10 (9-9 in SEC), the Tigers will be playing Arkansas for the third time this season, with both meetings previously won by the Razorbacks by a combined eight points. One of the nation’s top defensive teams allowing only 62.9 PPG to opponents, the Tigers are also a quality team offensively averaging 73.2 PPG, led by 2021-22 SEC Sixth-Man of the Year Tari Eason at 16.9 PPG.

Alongside Eason as impact scorers for the Tigers are starters Darius Days, Xavier Pinson, and Brandon Murray who also average double-figures, as well as guard Eric Gaines who plays a key role off the LSU bench. Efton Reid and Mwani Wilkinson also play key roles, while others such as Alex Fudge and Shareef O’Neal could also see time.

Similar to the two games between these two previously, we are likely set for yet another close contest featuring one of the SEC’s top offensive teams facing one of the top defensive teams. However, based on them winning both previous meetings as well, it’s hard to pick against the Razorbacks here.

Prediction: Arkansas 72, LSU 68