SEC showdown
Kentucky awaits after UA handles Georgia despite cold-shooting Portis.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bobby Portis had the worst shooting game he could remember, but Arkansas’ SEC Player of the Year was all smiles in the locker room Saturday.
That’s because the No. 21 Razorbacks, despite Portis shooting 1 of 14 from the field and scoring a season-low four points, beat Georgia 6049 in the SEC Tournament semifinals at Bridgestone Arena before an announced crowd of 19,232.
“I’m a team guy,” Portis said. “I don’t really care about scoring. I’m just trying to win games. I wanted to get to the championship game.”
Arkansas (26-7) advanced to play No. 1 Kentucky (33-0) in the championship game at noon today on ESPN.
“I’ve never been 1 of 14, but it happened,” said Portis, a 6-11 sophomore from Little Rock. “My team got the victory for us. I’m just proud of everybody for stepping up. A total team effort.”
Portis was shooting 56.5 percent from the field and averaging 18.1 points, but he missed a jump shot 11 seconds into the game that set the tone for his struggles on offense.
“I think that’s just the beauty of our team, for Bobby to go 1 for 14 and we still find a way to win,” Arkansas sophomore guard Manny Watkins said. “That’s just a real testament to our guys. We’ve got 14 guys that can play and contribute.”
Arkansas was led by junior guards Michael Qualls (15 points) and Anthlon Bell (10 points) and senior forward Alandise Harris (8 points). Freshman guard Nick Babb, who hadn’t scored against an SEC team all season, had five points.
“This team is bigger than me and Bob,” said Qualls, a second-team All-SEC pick. “Anybody can step up at any given time.”
Portis had scored 10 or more points in 27 consecutive games and in 31 of 32 games this season. His previous season low was six points in Arkansas’ 8973 victory over North Texas when he fouled out after playing 15 minutes and was 3 of 8 from the field.
Portis scored 26 points and hit 8 of 13 shots in Arkansas’ 80-72 victory over Tennessee on Friday night.
“Bobby’s been so consistent,” Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. “He’s been like a machine, but he’s human.”
Portis said he felt fine physically.
“I just had a bad shooting day,” he said. “I still had 12 rebounds, so that says something about my effort that I gave.”
Portis scored his only basket on an offensive rebound with 15:06 left after he had missed his first eight shots. He was fouled and hit the free throw to complete the threepoint play and give the Razorbacks a 38-23 lead.
Bell hit back-to-back threepoint baskets to push Arkansas’ lead to 44-25 with 13:08 left, and Georgia (21-11) didn’t get closer than nine points the rest of the game.
The Bulldogs, led by 13 points from forwards Marcus Thornton and junior forward Cameron Forte, played without guard Kenny Gaines, who was held out because of a foot injury. Guard Juwan Parker didn’t play in the second half because of an Achilles tendon injury.
Arkansas shot 37.3 percent (22 of 59) while Georgia shot 32.7 percent (16 of 49).
“I thought both teams played really hard, but it was certainly an ugly game,” Bulldogs Coach Mark Fox said. “Give Arkansas credit for making more plays than we did.”
Portis credited Arkansas’ defense for winning the game.
“Our defense was on point today,” Portis said. “Our fullcourt pressure was tenacious. We got after them.
“Our offense kind of struggled at times. But like Coach A. says, offense comes and goes, but defense can be there every day.”
Portis scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting when Arkansas won the SEC opener at Georgia 79-75 on Jan. 6.
“He’s the best player in the league,” Fox said. “I voted for him for player of the year. We certainly gave him some attention today and we tried our best to take their best scorer way. He didn’t have a very good day, but he’s a great, great player.
“He’s a hard guy to guard, I can tell you that.”
Anderson said Portis’ rebounding and defensive intensity Saturday while struggling to score showed his winning attitude.
“With his activeness out there, it just tells me he’s the ultimate team player,” Anderson said. “He had one field goal, but he still impacted the game in a mighty way.”