Arkansas basketball vs LSU: Scouting report, prediction as Hogs host Tigers

Arkansas basketball will get its first crack at a revenge result Wednesday night, welcoming LSU to Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks (14-9, 3-7 SEC) fell to the Tigers (12-11, 1-9) 78-74 on Jan. 14. At the time, the loss seemed to signal that the Hogs would not be a factor in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but they’ve bounced back in recent weeks with significant résumé-building road victories over Kentucky and Texas.

Arkansas couldn’t finish off an 18-point comeback Saturday night, losing to No. 1 Alabama 85-81. LSU has not won a game since beating the Razorbacks, and the Tigers blew a 12-point lead in the final minutes of their most recent loss to Ole Miss.

Wednesday night feels like a must-win game for Arkansas, which needs to take care of business against the bottom of the SEC standings and find a way to snag two more Quad 1 victories along the way.

Here is a scouting report and prediction for the Hogs and Tigers.

Can Arkansas basketball slow down one of Cam Carer or Jordan Sears?

The Tigers’ two leading scorers combined for 44 points and six 3-pointers in their January win over the Hogs, which represents their best offensive output in any SEC game this season.

Carter averages 17 points per game, while Sears is at 13.8. It will be difficult to limit both players, but slowing down one of the two is a reasonable task for John Calipari’s squad.

Look for freshmen Billy Richmond III and Karter Knox to spend plenty of time guarding LSU’s dynamic duo.

How does Zvonimir Ivisic respond to his best game?

Ivisic posted a career-high 27 points in Saturday’s loss to Alabama. He scored on the low block, made step-back threes and provided clutch shots during the Hogs improbable second-half rally.

Can he build off this performance against LSU? Ivisic was held scoreless and only played seven minutes against the Tigers in matchup earlier this year.