Pregame
Arkansas' starters: Anthony Black, Ricky Council, Davonte Davis, Kamani Johnson and Makhi Mitchell
Big news dropped a few hours before tipoff that freshman guard Nick Smith, a consensus preseason All-SEC first-team selection, will not play tonight for precautionary reasons, according to a program release. He is going through right knee management and there is no timetable for his return.
The Razorbacks enter Eric Musselman's fourth season ranked 10th in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll. They are also picked to finish second in the SEC behind Kentucky.
Tonight is the official debut for an Arkansas roster that features 11 newcomers – five transfers, six freshmen – and returners Davis and Johnson.