UA-Vandy Tipoff Matchups

Tipoff Matchups By JOE WEST

Arkansas Razorbacks
(18-9, 7-6)
Coach John Pelphrey

Point guards 2.5
Starter
0 - Gary Ervin
6-0, Sr.
9.3 ppg, 3.3 apg
Bench
14 - Stefan Welsh
6-2, So.
The Arkansas perimeter players were off in last Wednesday’s unsightly loss at Alabama. Stefan Welsh and Gary Ervin went a combined 4 of 15 from the floor. Welsh was extra cold, hitting just 1 of 8 shots, 1 of 6 from 3-point range.

Shooting guards 3.0
Starter
21 - Patrick Beverley
6-1, So.
11.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Bench
12 - Marcus Britt
6-2, Fr.
Patrick Beverley’s 0 of 4 didn’t help Arkansas’ woeful 3-point shooting at Alabama on Wednesday. Beverley’s been an absolute monster on the boards this season, but has suffered through somewhat of sophomore shooting slump.

Small forwards 4.0
Starter
13 - Sonny Weems
6-6, Sr.
15.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Bench
33 - Vincent Hunter
6-10, Sr.
Sonny Weems will be locked in a head-to-head battle today against another dynamic scorer, Vandy’s Shan Foster. If Weems is to keep pace, he’ll need to cut down on the turnovers (team-high 4 vs. Bama) and shoot better from 3-point land (1 of 6).

Power forwards 2.5
Starter
3 - Charles Thomas
6-8, Sr.
8.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Bench
15 - Michael Washington
6-10, So.
The UA power forwards got manhandled by Bama’s Demetrius Jemison on Wednesday. If Arkansas is to pull off the upset today, Charles Thomas and Michael Washington will have to improve on their combined 2 points and 5 rebounds at Tuscaloosa.

Centers 3.0
Starter
51 - Steven Hill
7-0, Sr.
4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Bench
5 - Darian Townes
6-10, Sr.
The key for the Arkansas big men tonight will be getting Vandy’s Ogilvy in foul trouble while avoiding fouls themselves. Easier said than done. Darian Townes played better than any Hog against Alabama, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Arkansas overall: 3.0

Vanderbilt Commodores
(24-4, 9-4)
Coach Kevin Stallings

Point guards 3.0
Starter
0 - Jermaine Beal
6-3, So.
8.0 ppg, 4.6 apg
Bench
13 - Keegan Bell
6-1, Fr.
The Vanderbilt guards came to play in Tuesday’s stunning upset of No. 1 Tennessee at Nashville. Crafty sophomore Jermaine Beal scored 17 points, including a 7-of-9 showing at the foul line. Freshman reserve Keegan Bell is a good ball-handler.

Shooting guards 3.5
Starter
3 - Alex Gordon
6-0, Sr.
11.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Bench
34 - George Drake
6-4, So.
Former point guard Alex Gordon is a steady hand on the wing. Gordon matched his season average with 11 points against the Volunteers and hit seven 3-pointers against Georgia on Feb. 23. Sophomore George Drake brings athleticism off the bench.

Small forwards 4.5
Starter
32 - Shan Foster
6-6, Sr.
19.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Bench
24 - Andre Walker
6-7, Fr.
Today’s marquee matchup is Shan vs. Sonny, the battle of the swingmen. Foster is the top point-producer in the SEC and is arguably the conference’s best player. Foster unleashed his full arsenal on the top-ranked Vols, scoring a game-high 32.

Power forwards 3.0
Starter
41 - Ross Neltner
6-9, Sr.
8.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Bench
21 - Darshawn McClelland
6-7, Fr.
Versatile Ross Neltner can do a little bit of everything. He was just 1 of 7 from the field last Tuesday, but still added 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Neltner scored 11 points, pulled down 6 boards and doled out 3 assists in the home win over Georgia.

Centers 4.0
Starter
4 - Andrew Ogilvy
6-11, Fr.
16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Bench
11 - Alan Metcalfe
6-9, Sr.
Andrew “AJ” Ogilvy presents a multitude of problems for the UA defense today. The native Australian has a rare blend of mobility and physicality, and he knows how to finish around the basket. Alan Metcalfe is VU’s highest-scoring reserve (6.0 ppg).

Vanderbilt overall: 4.0

Prediction: Vanderbilt 73, Arkansas 66.

Filed under: Arkansas Basketball by Terry Wood. Posted on: February 29, 2008 at 4:33 pm